Marci's Favorite Things 2010 - BOOKS!

Taking public transportation to work is the pits. I have to stand the entire way, and usually am surrounded by strangers that are way too close to my personal space for my liking. But if I have a good book along for the ride, the trip seems to go surprisingly fast! And sometimes is even enjoyable. Imagine that! Here are some of my favorite page tuners that I read in 2010:

The Help - I can't quite remember if I read this one in 2009 or 2010, but either way it deserves a read by all. It's a story that focuses mainly on three women in the early 1960s - Skeeter, a 22 year old woman who was brought up in a fairly wealthy Southern family, a black maid who has made a life of raising other people's children, and a feisty short black woman who can cook up a meal or a controversy with ease. These three women begin to work in tandem on something that will change them--and their town--forever. It's a page turner, and inspirational to boot.

Never Let Me Go - This haunting novel follows Kathy, a "carer," as she recounts memories of her childhood, and specifically the complicated relationships between her and her two best friends, Ruth and Tommy. While it seems that they are just being brought up in a boarding school, there is more to their story than it seems and once you discover what secrets lie in their world, it will both frighten you and sadden you.

Game Change - Politics is often wacky, and apparently also very much like a mix between high school and a soap opera (like The OC!). This non-fiction work follows the 2008 presidential election and all it's players, digging into their personal stories, triumphs, secrets and more... Get all the dirt on Hillary, Bill, Obama, Palin, and McCain too. It's pretty interesting to hear about what goes on behind the scenes...

Freedom - It was an Oprah pick so it's only fitting that it's part of my favorite things of 2010. I'm actually reading it now, about 100 pages out from finishing, so I can't tell you if the ending is satisfying. But the story is woven beautifully, highlighting how life can take us places we never expected, how people can know what they really want but not act on it; plus the overall theme of trying to be a "good person" will have you questioning parts of your own life.

One Day - This novel checks in on two people on the same day, for 20 years of their lives. We see their relationship develop and twist and turn, until finally ending in a way you'd never expect. Quick-moving and ultimately heart wrenching, it's a good read that makes you feel something.

Mockingjay - The last book of The Hunger Games series was released this year and needless to say, I loved it! For more about my love for this series, click here.

The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest - The last book of yet another trilogy, Hornet's Nest brings us to the conclusion of Lisbeth Salander's story, complete with a great trial scene and the usual Kale Blomkvist journalistic detective work. Though Lisbeth is not as active in this book as she was in stories past, the book itself moves along nicely and brings the story to a great end.

That's about it! If you're looking for something to read, check these titles out. Or go to the library and pick one out yo'self. I'm not your personal book shopper.