2010 has been a rather awesome year for me, book-wise.  I managed to read 71 books – perhaps not as impressive as some lists out there, but certainly a record for me.  The past few months have made it hard for me to read and review as much as I used to, new job, new course and – basically – a whole new life in a new area. But what hadn’t changed is my love for reading – so don’t expect me to be going anywhere!

So, my ten favourite reads of 2010.  I list these with lots of love, as I have discovered some fantastic new authors this year (Ann Aguirre, Jaye Wells) and read some fantastic reads from old favourites (The Reckoning!).

Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane #1) by Jaye Wells The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane, #2) by Jaye Wells

1. Red-headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
2. The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

OMG this series.  The first book in this series was such a surprising read.  I can’t even remember buying this book, and I only picked up as part of the New Authors Challenge.  But reading it was practically transformative.  I hadn’t felt this way about a book since The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong!  As soon as I got my copy of The Mage in Black, I started reading it and didn’t stop till I had finished it.  It was just as good as the first!

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong Firespell by Chloe Neill
3. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
4. Firespell by Chloe Neill
I was worried that The Reckoning wouldn’t live up to all my expectations for the Darkest Powers series – I needn’t have.  It was beyond amazing!  If I could only recognise one YA series, it would be this one.

Firespell stood out from the other YA debuts of 2010.  Chloe Neill is a fun and funny writer, with a very different twist on the whole paranormal YA scene.  Her adult series is also fantastic – so give her a shot!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
6. Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
Graceling was my Poison Study of 2010 – high fantasy that made me want to just sink into the novel and never return.  I adored every word and am nervous/excited about reading Cashore’s second book, Fire.

Grimspace.  Grim-OMFG-space.  I adored this book.  Aguirre set my heart a flutter and just… yeah. OMG this book.  And what’s even more astounding is that she keeps up the quality in the second novel of the series, Wanderlust. I can’t wait to review that one!

rules-of-attraction Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
7. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
8. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Rules of Attraction was fantastic.  Everything you could possibly want from a Contemporary YA romance – if you want a fab, Romeo-and-Juliet-esque romance, read this!

I am so very glad I finally read the Vampire Academy series!  I knew everybody loved it, but I had no idea why until I read it.  I haven’t finished the series yet, but it is certainly one of my favourite YA series… ever.

Shiver Maggie Linger Maggie
9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
10. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
I haven’t written a review for Shiver or Linger, because I really don’t know what to add to the conversation.  These books are stunning.  Seriously, beautiful beautiful books which I highly recommend to ALL readers.  It was hard to choose between Shiver and Linger for the Top Ten of 2010 – so both made the list!

So, that’s all for 2010. I am super excited about this new year, and I want to thank all DBD followers for sticking it out with me this year. It’s been great reading your comments and following your blogs – so thank you!

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