Friday, December 31, 2010

2010 The Year That Was



Well another wonderful year of blogging has come to an end, many of you know that for me 2010 has been a year of new personal challenges, nurtured friendships, new beginnings and a new found peace and happiness. Admittedly some of the new 'challenges' limited my reading for a while but hey that's life. I am grateful for all that I have in my life, my family, my friends, the best and the worst times, the good, the bad, the sad, and the ugly; it's all helped shape who I am and I'm looking forward to 2011 with hope and happiness.

Wishing all my bloggy friends love and laughter in 2011, be kind and stay safe.

In 2010 I:

~ recovered from major surgery

~ began my recovery from an emotionally abusive marriage

~ added a furry member to our family


~ earned a google degree in pool repairs and maintenance

~ became stronger and happier

~ had some heartbreaking sad and side-splitting funny times with my best friend

~ read 72 books

~ completed 11 challenges

~ bombed out on 6 challenges

~ read some of the best YA fiction around and surprisingly some awesome general fiction

Challenges completed:

1st in a Series Challenge
2nd Challenge
Audiobook Challenge
E-book Challenge
Fantasy Challenge
Finish That Series Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge
New Author Challenge
YA Challenge
Romance Challenge
RYOB Challenge

Challenges not completed:

100 + Challenge - 72/100 it's the first year in 3 years that I haven't completed this one :(
Aussie Author Challenge - 3/8
Library Challenge - 4/25
Read Your Name Challenge - 4/6
What's In A Name Challenge - 2/6
Wish I'd Read That Challenge - 0/3

I read a lot of wonderful books this year but my favourites ** are linked to their book review so just click on the title to see what I thought.


Historical:
1. Women of Magdalene by Rosemary Poole Carter
2. The Midwife's Tale by Gretchen
3. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C W Gortner **
4. Roeing Oaks by Kristina Emmons
5. The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick
6. The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick **
7. The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

Young Adult:
8. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
9. Shadowland by Alyson Noel
10. Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
11. Night Star by Alyson Noel
12. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl **
13. Devoured by Amanda Marrone
14. Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
15. Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson
16. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
17. My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey
18. Stargazer by Claudia Gray
19. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong **
20. Need by Carrie Jones
21. Captivate by Carrie Jones
22. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
23. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
24. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson **
35. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater **
26. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
27. Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
28. Stolen by Lucy Christopher **
29. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott **
30. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
31. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
32. My Soul To Lose  by Rachel Vincent
33. My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent
34. The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williiams **
35. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
36. Girl, Stolen by April Henry
37. Fallen by Lauren Kate
38. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
39. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
40. Delirium by Lauren Oliver ** review Jan 2011
41. Patch by Mucheru Njagu
42. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Fantasy:
43. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
44. Destined For An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost **

Romance: Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
45. A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
46. The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan
47. Witch Fire by Anya Bast
48. Savour The Moment by Nora Roberts
49. Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

General Fiction:
50. Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger **
51. The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakhar **
52. House Rules by Jodi Picoult
53. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman **
54. Sand In My Eyes by Christine Lemmon
55. Hidden Wives by Claire Avery **
56. The Neurology of Angels by Krista Tibbs
57. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens **
58. The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain
59. Stay by Allie Larkin **
60. The Weight Of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
61. Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford ** review in Jan 2011

Non-Fiction:
62. Your Family Constitution by Scott Gale
63. A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill
64. What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen **

Suspense/Thrillers:
65. Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy
66. Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugen
67. Cold Justice by Katherine Howell **
68. The Healers by Thomas Heric
69. Never Let You Go by Erin Healy
70. Damaged by Pamela Callow

Children's Fiction:
71. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
72. The Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox by Tim Ostermeyer



14 comments:

  1. Sounds like 2010 had some rough moments for you. I am glad you came out strong and happier. Your new puppy is a cutie by the way.

    Have a great New Years. I hope 2011 is filled with happiness and lots of books :)

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  2. Definitely lots more side-splitting moments to come for 2011 and if there is sadness we'll be there for each other as always! Lots of great books on your list, I'm very impressed. It took me hours to do my post and I didn't even list all my books. Well I'll see you in 2011 xoxoxo

    I just know that 2011 is going to be a great year for us!

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  3. I had no idea you had such a bad year. Mine wasn't so hot either! Here's to a better and brighter 2011 for us both. Happy New Year!

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  4. Wow lots of YA there :)

    I hope you will have a wonderful 2010 *hugs*

    Happy New year

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  5. Have a wonderful New Year! I hope every dream of you will come out! :) Love the books you read and so many.

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  6. It seems the road of life is not always smooth, that's for sure. I hope 2011 brings you much happiness, good books, good times with your friends and most importantly, good health. I'm glad to see you liked The Crying Tree too. That was a great book!

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  7. 2010 has most definitely be one of the craziest year in my life as well. But we all get through it and here's hoping that 2011 will bring us all more joy and content our hearts!

    Hope that you enjoy the day, Sheree =) I am truly glad that in 2010, I found you!

    Happy New Year =)

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  8. Aww sweetie! I know how trying and difficult 2010 was but you made through with such spirit and aplomb. You are truly an inspiration and I am glad to call you a friend.
    Here's to a happy, healthy, and calmer 2011. {{hugs}}

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  9. Happy New Year - I hope 2011 will be wonderful for you and your loved ones.

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  10. You are a pillar of strength and I'm in awe of your tenacity!!! 2011 will be a great year for you and your family...I just know it!! Loved your list of fave books!!! Here's to a Wonderful 2011 !!!

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  11. You had a great 2010. Although there's some bitters but there's also sweet. And I think it is great year that I know you too in 2010. Cheers for both of us!

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  12. Im sorry 2010 was a very turbulant year for you. While I have not commented much I am still lurking and reading your blog. Hope you have a much better 2011! Happy New Year.

    Cheers
    Caspette

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  13. Great picks!

    I read 95 books, not bad, considering I was in a reading slump for more than four months.

    Happy New Year to you and your family. Have a great reading year in 2011!!!

    Here are my Best Reads of 2010

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  14. Wow, you've had quite a year! I hope 2011 is your best year yet - you deserve it!

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