In no particular order....
1. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo: While working at Hastings, a very enthusiastic customer came in ranting and raving about this book so I just had to check it out myself! This was the first book I read of Linda Castillo's and she has me hooked! Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder, faces a horrible string of murders that take place in the small Amish community has lived in since birth. These events haunt her as they remind her of the horrific night that caused her to leave the Amish lifestyle as a teenager. It's very dark and twisted, but ends up a quick read! The sequel, Pray for Silence, was a good read as well.
2. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau: This book is the only "kids" book to make it on my list, and my fifth grade class would tell you they love it as well! Ember, an underground place created by Builders in hopes of escaping the world that might be facing disaster, begins to run out of supplies, food, and light bulbs. Doon and Lina take it upon themselves to find the way out into the Unknown Regions. It is a great tale of their quest to save their community, and myself and my entire fifth grade class can't wait to see what happens in the second book, The People of Sparks.
3. Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson: No list of mine would be complete without the work of James Patterson! Although I read through most of the Alex Cross series, this book was my favorite. It goes back in time to tell the story of Abraham Cross and the whole cross family in their struggles with lynchings at the beginning of the 20th century. The tale is told from the point of view of Ben Corbett, a white lawyer who is sent to do the work of President Theodore Roosevelt. He definitely has the courage to stick up for what was right in a time where wrong-doings were horrific and popular. Can't wait to find out what happens with the latest Cross novel, Cross Fire!
4. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: Yes, it finally took me this long to read into the books of Dan Brown. I was always put off by the whole religious facade and hoopla it created, and after a roommate bothered me enough about it I finally opened the book. And I am so glad I did! The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, and the Lost Symbol were all amazing books. Dan Brown is a very detailed writer and knows how to keep his reader deeply engaged with his texts. I'm looking forward to reading his other works throughout the coming year.
5. Second Glance by Jodi Picoult: Another writer that completes my lists time and time again... Jodi Picoult! She is amazing, no other author can get me to slow down and enjoy their writing as much as she can. This book really had me interested in the history of Eugenics in the 1930s, where people were controlling the genetic pool through sterilization of the feebleminded, bi-polar, depressed, etc. Also, it switches back to present day were one of the main characters is a doctor in genetic coding for babies. As always, the two time periods connect. It was a great read, and really had me interested in learning more about its content after I was finished. Can't wait to see what her 2011 book has in store!
6. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum: I have always been interested in the history of WWII and the Holocaust. This book has a different twist as its protagonist focuses on the roles of the Germans in the war. As she is interviewing Germans located now in America, she goes through the struggle of trying to get her mother to open up about her participation in aiding the Nazis. In turn, she also is trying to figure out the true idenity of her father. It was a very interesting read, but it does have some raunchy/racey detailed parts that I felt weren't really necessary.
7. The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard: She's done again with another great murder mystery taking place in our own backyard, Kansas! In 1986 Jody's father was murdered and her mother vanishes. Years later, the man convicted of murder is released based off circumstancial evidence. Of course there is an uproar in the small town and an effort to figure out the truth begins... which will only break apart the small family that has supported Jody for years.
8. The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski: This is one that my best friend recommended me! It was a very cute read that touches your heart. June Parker accidentally kills another woman in a car crash. She finds what people call a "Bucket List" that the young woman wanted to complete before her 25th birthday. June takes it upon herself to complete the list for her, and maybe even finds love along the way.
9. Sarah's Key by Tatiana DeRosnay: Another great novel about the quest to find answers about the Holocaust. American writer Julia Jarmond is assigned to cover the 60th anniversaray of the Vél' d'Hiv' roundups. Julia soon learns that the apartment she and her husband, Bertrand, plan to move into was acquired by his family when its Jewish occupants were deported 60 years before. She resolves to find out what happened to the former occupants, the Starzynskis. The more Julia discovers—especially about Sarah, the only member of the Starzynski family to survive—the more she uncovers about Bertrand's family, about France and herself. A MUST READ!!! Anxious to see what her latest has in store as well.
10. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks: As always, a great read from Sparks. Maybe the only book of the year that actually brought me to tears, perhaps because of the connections with cancer. It definitely tugs at heartstrings, no matter how tight yours are. And yes, the movie does have Miley Cirus... but its still good as well and the main male lead isn't bad on the eyes! I'm currently in the middle of another of his words, The Lucky One.
I hope I find just as great reads in 2011!!
