Gosh it’s hard to pick favorites out of over 100 books. You’d think it would be easier but it’s not especially if you’ve enjoyed a lot of the books you’ve read. I tried to narrow it down but didn’t do the best job as you will see (for a few authors I listed both of their books-lol)…
Favorites (in no particular order):
- The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
- Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly
- The Traitor’s Wife and Hugh & Bess by Susan Higginbotham
- Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
- The Laws of Harmony by Judith Ryan Hendricks
- The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein
- Holly’s Inbox by Holly Denham (Bill Surie)
- Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
- Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran
- The Kingmaking and Pendragon’s Banner by Helen Hollick
Favorite authors this year (in no particular order):
- Michelle Moran
- Laurie Viera Rigler
- Karen White
- Susan Higginbotham
- Helen Hollick
New to me authors that I’ll be reading more from:
- Lloyd Lofthouse
- Sandra Gulland
- Jennie Nash
- Nicole Baart
- Julie Buxbaum
And I could probably go on and on but I’ll stop here. I’ve had a great year of reading and was lucky enough to read many fantastic books. I’m looking forward to the same in 2010!
Looks like you had a wonderful year of reading. Hope your 2010 is just as enjoyable!
I really liked "The Laws of Harmony" as well. Sunny was a great heroine; I enjoyed reading about her unique childhood and how it shaped her into the woman she became.
I love your list. I haven't read any of these yet. Happy New Year!
I still need to get to Cleopatra's Daughter. Looks good!
Let me just say, you will NOT be disappointed by Nicole Baart's novels. If you like poetic, lyricism in authors' writing styles, then Nicole's definitely your girl. 🙂
I knew you had good taste! Our top ten lists have 2 books in common. Happy New Year, Dar!
I am still due to read 4, 8, and 9 and can't wait to do so! (I wish there were more reading time in the day!)
Have a happy new year!!!
Eeeeks!!! I haven't read any of your favorite books… I know I've read your reviews, though, and I really should get started with some of them.
Greta list, Moran was excellent, and this year I am going to try Higginbottom so I am excited cos of that
Happy New year!
Hey, you saw my list of thirteen, right? I think I wound up listing half the books I read this year!
It's VERY hard to pick the top few. I really admire the people who do it professionally.
I absolutely LOVED The School of Essential Ingredients. It just made me all warm and happy inside. It definitely made my list of top books this year.
Great list of books Dar…it looks like you had a great year of reading and hopefully next year is even better! I remember all the buzz about The Painter from Shanghai and that is one that I plan on reading sometime in the future yet.
Thanks, Dar! Glad you liked the books!
Dang..when I read these lists It only makes my piles grow. I really want to read Holly's Inbox. Great Picks Dar.
You've listed a few there that I hope to read this next year! Always a good sign. 🙂
Looks like a great year of reading! I loved the audio of School of Essential Ingredients, and Pope Joan was one of my favorites the year I read it, too.
I really enjoyed your list of top books…you read so many great ones I'm sure that this was hard to whittle down!!
I haven't read any of your favorites but several of them are on the tbr list. The more I see them on "top" lists, the more anxious I am to get to them.
Great list! I read several of those and enjoyed them, too.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Darlene, you made my day. What an honor to see RUDE AWAKENINGS on your list, and what a lovely way to start the year!
I loved THE LAWS OF HARMONY, too.
Many thanks and all the best to you and Buddy–and a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!
Thanks everyone for popping by and checking out my favorite books.
Jill, I agree – there definitely needs to be more reading time in a day!
Susan, thanks for popping in. I'm just about to start The Stolen Crown and I'm excited.
Toni, I think you'd love Holly's Inbox. I can't wait for the sequel.
Laurie, thanks for popping in. So glad I made your day!
Great list, Dar! There are several I have, but haven't read yet so I am now anxious to get to them. Thanks.
First of all, I LOVE the graphic you chose for this post!
I haven't read any of the books on your list but I do hope to get to 'The School of Essential Ingredients' eventually. I can't remember reading your review of 'The Laws of Harmony', I'll have to check it out…
Hope 2010 holds lots of great things in store for you, Dar!
Great lists. I don't think I've read any of the books you mentioned, although a couple are on my list.
Galway Bay and Painter From Shanghai made my list as well! Fantastic books.