1. Best book of 2010? Technically, I'm cheating because I have about 50 pages to go, but I have to say that Lorrie Moore's A Gate at the Stairs
has captured my heart. I also found my favorite novel, The History of Love
, this year. 2. Worst book of 2010? I started Julia Glass's The Widower's Tale
and Paul Murray's Skippy Dies
, and couldn't finish either. I loved Glass's Three Junes
, so I was surprised that her story, which I found typical, and rather boring, just didn't grab me. Skippy Dies featured so many superfluous details that I couldn't imagine finishing. 3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010? Daphne Kalotay's Russian Winter
. I haven't completely thrown in the towel with this one. I just haven't been drawn in yet. I was even more upset because not only did I really anticipate the title's release, but I also WON it on Goodreads! 4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010? Jeffrey Eugenides's Middlesex
. I didn't know much about the novel going in, and walked away very satisfied.5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010? Nicole Krauss's The History of Love
. I literally can't praise this novel enough. 6. Best series you discovered in 2010? I haven't actually had an experience with a series this year. Shame on me. This will encourage me to do so the next!
7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010? Again, Nicole Krauss. Lorrie Moore.
8. Most hilarious read of 2010? Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
had me laughing out loud. David Sedaris's Me Talk Pretty One Day
was also another great read. 9. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010? J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace
. It wasn't so much thrilling, as slightly disgusting, and, yet, utterly fascinating. I appreciated Coetzee's ability to create such depth in so few pages. 10. Book you most anticipated in 2010? Nicole Krauss's Great House: A Novel
. I'm still working on this one, but I couldn't wait for this title to be released. 
11. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010? Anthony Doerr's Memory Wall: Stories
The hardcover, which I ordered right away, is textured! It's beautiful AND pleasant to hold. 12. Most memorable character in 2010? Tassie Keltjin from A Gate at the Stairs
; Leo Gursky from The History of Love.13. Most beautifully written book in 2010? Anthony Doerr's Memory Wall: Stories
. 14. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010? I absolutely loved The History of Love
, and I feel like it evoked the most emotion. 15. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read? Three books: Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure
; Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome
; Willa Cather's My Antonia
. All incredible.I am interested to see what this list will look like this time next year.
