Best Book of 2010:
I am still fine tuning that list and it will be announced on December 31st as part of my FIVE Challenge.
Worst Book of 2010:
This isn't very nice so I'll leave that one alone. There have been three books that I was unable to finish and I will leave it at that.
Most Disappointing Book of 2010:
The DUFF (Kody Keplinger). There was a lot of hype built up for this debut and I just didn't see why other than the risque elements.
Most Surprising (In A Good Way!) Book of 2010:
Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins) was a book that I had no interest in prior to receiving it. I even put off reading it for a couple of weeks after being gifted it. I think it has something to do with the name, I can't really pinpoint why. Anyway...a truly impressive and emotionally rich yet entertaining debut. A shout out for Kristin Walker's A Match Made in High School that got swallowed up by the mass of books being released earlier in the year and kind of forgotten. A fun read with heart that I would gladly read again.
Toss up between Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian (I've been waving my SV pom poms a bit) and 2009 carry-over for Jellicoe Road (Melina Marchetta). JR will always be my beloved.
Oh wait, I did do a major pimp out of Elizabeth Scott's fabulous Love You Hate You Miss You on the blog. am really happy to say that many people went out and found this overlooked lovely as a response.
Best Series You Discovered in 2010:
I unfortunately didn't fall in love with any new series in 2010. I was fond of (which then tapered off) Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty Series.
Favorite New Authors Discovered in 2010:
It is a tie between Cath Crowley (A Little Wanting Song & Graffiti Moon) and Siobhan Vivian (Not That Kind of Girl) who both write characters that are fluid and honest. Both are authors that need to be read more and each has a yen for the arts!
Most Hilarious Read of 2010:
To be honest, I don't believe any of the books I read this year were hilarious. There was the occasional laugh worthy moment but no hilarity.
Most Thrilling, Unputdownable Book of 2010:
I am afraid nothing I read this year meets the criteria - unputdownable yes, thrilling not so much.
*At this point I realise I am the worst survey participant EVER.
Most Anticipated Book of 2010:
I was very much excited to read Grace by Elizabeth Scott as it sounded completely different from anything she had written. And boy was it. Wow. I was also hanging out for Mockingjay like the rest of the known world.
I am rather partial to the simplicity of Graffiti Moon. Dark yet bright. Evocative yet simple.
Most Memorable Character in 2010:
There's something about Tom Mackee that revisits me. He was such an undeniably charismatic character in Saving Francesca in the small role he played but in The Piper's Son he really made an impact. Natalie Sterling from Siobhan Vivian's Not That Kind of Girl was too familiar to not resonate. Loved her.
Most Beautifully-Written Book of 2010:
Toss up again - The Sky is Everywhere (Jandy Nelson) and Graffiti Moon - both exquisite and visual. Wordy and sublime. Just beautifully crafted storytelling.
Book That Had the Greatest Impact on You in 2010:
Not That Kind of Girl - a book that addressed feminism and independance and sexuality without being preachy. That's tough.
Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2010 to Read:
Finding Cassie Crazy by Jaclyn Moriarty. I think I horrified many when they realised I was an Australian YA book blogger who hadn't read JM's work. Now I look back on myself in disbelief. I can't wait to get home to get my hands on more of her work.
New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2010:
I am loving what Capillya is doing with That Cover Girl - a blog devoted purely to the covers of YA.
I never remember anything I write....I am usually more proud of my discussion posts as I don't really consider my reviews to be a strength. Um - I guess my Grace review really seemed to find itself an audience. I also heard that it resulted in many, many bloggers requesting undisaplyed copies at BEA. I think my review of Courtney Summers' Some Girls Are was pretty decent too.
Best Discussion On Your Blog in 2010:
Wow...based purely on comments, the readers decided that my post Love Bites - When Romance Makes Me Want to Howl was the best. Posts on plagiarism and epilogues came closely behind.
Most Thought-Provoking Review or Discussion On Another Blog in 2010:
To be honest....I am struggling as my memory is shocking. Steph Su Reads' recent post on love was beautifully written, introspective and made my mind wander (in a good way).
Best Event You Participated In During 2010:
There was only one and that was the Cassandra Clare signing in Union Square's Barnes and Noble. It doesn't matter - it rocked hard. I had enormous fun with Mitali and had to pleasure of meeting Cassie, Holly Black, Maureen Johnson, Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld. Read more here.
Best Moment of Book Blogging in 2010:
announced that I will be the new Program Coordinator for the Centre of Youth Literature at the State Library of Victoria. My job, not just my passion, is now youth literature. Amazing.
Best Bookish Discovery of 2010:
Book Depository....I knew you but I hadn't used you. You, BD, saved my life here in Japan. I love you lots!
