2010: A Year in Books
2010 has been something of a strange year for me, reading-wise. Without question I’ve read less this year than I have since starting university and the reason for this more than anything, is a lack of time.
I might also add at this point, that the books I’ve chosen to read this year have probably been in general, of a far more ‘heavy-going’ nature than some of previous years. Trilby, Melmoth the Wanderer, Bleak House and Catch-22 certainly all took me a lot longer to read than they should have, and if I’m honest, I found each of them something of a struggle. Whereas normally, a book like Catch-22 would have been easily completed within a week, I took nearly a month to read it which in turn threw off the rest of my reading schedule and has meant tomes like The Mysteries of Udolpho will have to wait until next year.
For a brief summary of the best – and the worst – books I’ve read this year, please see my short guide below:
M.J.Ryder’s Top 5 Reads of 2010
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Having finally found time to read this fantastic novel at the age of 24, I feel somewhat cheated that I wasn’t introduced to it sooner. An astounding piece of work that deserves every plaudit it receives. My only problem was the ambiguous ending that left me feeling somewhat unfulfilled. If you haven’t read this book already, READ IT NOW!
The Dancers at the End of Time by Michael Moorcock
As a student of Victorian Literature, and a lover of sci-fi, this outstanding trilogy by Michael Moorcock really did tick all the boxes for me, and then some. Full of great humour and innovation, I heartily recommend this trilogy to anyone looking for an interesting read full of dark comedy and an amazing clash of cultures.
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
While never really hitting the heights of his quite frankly mind-blowing Slaughterhouse 5, The Sirens of Titan is nonetheless a very impressive work by one of the greatest science fiction writers of his generation.
The Ravenor Trilogy by Dan Abnett
I’ve always been a big fan of Dan Abnett’s, and for me, The Ravenor Trilogy is one of his best works. While the plotting suffers in certain places – especially in terms of coherence between novels – the strength of Abnett’s brilliant characterisation and action-packed battle sequences continue to improve as he grows as a writer.
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Not necessarily one of the very best books I’ve read this year, I’ve included A Clockwork Orange more for its original thinking, and its incredible use of language than anything else. While it certainly takes some getting used to, the ideas in this book are completely unique, and certainly pay back the perseverance required on the part of the reader.
Best Non-Fiction
Quirkology: The Curious Science of Everyday Lives by Prof. Richard Wisemen
If like me you’re a sucker for interesting facts, and good conversation starters, this book is definitely for you. Quirkology examines a whole host of interesting facts gleaned by sociologists and psychologists that apply to everyday lives. Ever wondered why ‘Quack’ is perceived as being the funniest sound an animal can make? This book explains all!
Worst Book of the Year
Serenity (film novelisation) by Kieth R. A. DeCandido
A major disappointment I’m afraid to say. As much as I love the T.V. series and the film, the novelisation of Serenity just doesn’t cut it for me, and still leaves a bad taste in my mouth whenever I think about it. Avoid at all costs.
For more information on why this book is so bad, please see my Serenity Review.