When I sat down to compile a list of my favourite books of 2010, I expected it to be difficult because I loved so many of the books that I read this year. But when I actually looked back at all the books I read in 2010, I found it quite easy to pick out my favourites. So, in no particular order, here are the best books I’ve read this year.
The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman
I read this one at the beginning of December, just in time for it to make my Best of 2010 list. The Sunne in Splendour is a fictional account of Richard III which attempts to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding one of England’s most controversial kings.
From my review: Not only did it turn out to be the best historical fiction book I’ve read for a long time, it was also one of the best books of any type that I’ve read this year.
The Glass of Time by Michael Cox
This book is the sequel to The Meaning of Night, which I also read in 2010. Although they were both great books, I thought this one was the better of the two.
From my review: I enjoyed The Meaning of Night but I loved The Glass of Time even more…together these two novels are the best examples of neo-Victorian fiction I’ve read: complex, atmospheric and beautifully written.
The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye
I wasn’t sure whether or not to include re-reads in my Best of 2010, but as both of the books I re-read this year are two of my favourite books ever, I’ve decided they deserve a place in the list anyway. The Far Pavilions is about a British boy raised in India as a Hindu and is so well-written and well-researched I would highly recommend it to lovers of both historical fiction and literary fiction.
From my review: The term ‘sweeping epic’ is used so often it’s become a cliché, but it’s actually an accurate description of The Far Pavilions…One of my all-time favourite historical fiction novels.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
I don’t read mysteries as often as I used to, but I really enjoyed this one. I’m planning to read the second Flavia de Luce book, The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag, very soon!
From my review: I had high hopes for this book – and I wasn’t disappointed. It was every bit as enjoyable and delightful as I had been told it was.
Middlemarch by George Eliot
After a couple of previous failed attempts, I finally read Middlemarch this summer. It wasn’t an easy read but was certainly worth the effort.
From my review: After reaching the final page I can now see why so many people love this book so much. I would recommend Middlemarch to all lovers of Victorian fiction who are prepared to invest the time it takes to read such a long and complex novel.
A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, as I had never even heard of it until I saw it on the shelf in the library.
From my review: I’m loving Thomas Hardy more and more with every book of his that I read…I would even say that of all the classics I’ve read so far this year, this might be my favourite.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
This was my second re-read in 2010. Watership Down was one of my childhood favourites and I was pleased to find that I loved it as an adult too!
From my review: Did I still enjoy this book as much as I did when I was 10? Yes, of course I did. No matter how many other books I read, Watership Down will always hold a special place in my heart.
The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas
I loved The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, and this one was almost as good. It was an exciting, fast-paced read and one of my favourite books of the summer.
From my review: Who would have thought that a book about growing tulips could be so exciting? And yet Alexandre Dumas managed to write a compelling page turner based on that very subject.
The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier
I read three Daphne du Maurier books in 2010 and although I enjoyed them all, this was the one I liked best.
From my review: Wonderfully atmospheric…This was a fascinating and unusual story, one of my favourite du Maurier books so far.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
I finally read both of Anne Bronte’s books in 2010. Although I was less impressed with Agnes Grey, I loved this one.
From my review: Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre have always been two of my favourite Victorian classics…I feel a bit guilty that it has taken me so long to get round to reading one of Anne’s books, especially as I enjoyed it almost as much as the other two books I’ve just mentioned.
Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
This is a book that really seems to divide opinion, but luckily I loved it. Yes, it’s very bleak and miserable but that didn’t actually bother me, and after loving both this book and A Pair of Blue Eyes I can’t wait to read more Hardy in 2011.
From my review: I don’t have a problem with a story being tragic, melodramatic or depressing as long as it’s well-written. And Hardy’s writing is beautiful…if you haven’t read this book yet give it a try – you might hate it, but you might just love it like I did.
Wild Swans by Jung Chang
I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but I thought this book was excellent. It made a big impact on me and I knew as soon as I started reading it that it was going to be one of my books of the year.
From my review: The most riveting non-fiction book I’ve ever read…Wild Swans is not just the story of three women – it’s much broader in scope than that and is the story of an entire nation.
Have you read any of these books? What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
She Reads Novels 
I felt the same way about the two Anne Bronte books, and I can’t wait to get to A Pair of Blue Eyes!!!
I hope you enjoy it. I’m looking forward to reading something else by Hardy soon.
I agree about the Alan Bradley book – it was really good.
I got The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag for Christmas so I’m hoping I’ll like it as much as the first one!
What a wonderful list. All books I’ve loved, save The Black Tulip which is waiting on the shelf. Thank you for reminding me how much I love historical fiction, and need to read a little more of it next year.
I love historical fiction, though I don’t read as much of it now as I used to. I’ve signed up for a historical fiction challenge to make sure I don’t neglect it next year!
What a great list! So glad the Penman made it on – she’s one of my favourite authors. The Far Pavillions has been on my TBR list for far too long. Hopefully I’ll finally read it in 2011!
Penman is a new discovery for me but I can’t wait to read more of her work. And The Far Pavilions is a wonderful book – I hope you’ll have a chance to read it next year!
I’m about half-way through Middlemarch and am glad to hear it is worth it!
It took me three attempts to finally make it to the end of Middlemarch, but it was definitely worth it!
I have been trying to read the Bradly book, but I m not getting into it. I am not sure why this is happening with me because I was supposed to love it. 😦
I am adding all the other books to my wishlist.
Sorry to hear you’re not enjoying the Bradley book. Maybe it’s just the wrong book at the wrong time for you?
I’ve read quite a few of your best books. I loved Sunne in Splendour & Far Pavilions. I read them as a teenager when I read lots of historical fiction. I’m afraid that Tess is my least favourite Hardy but I do like Blue Eyes. I reread Wildfell Hall this year & loved it all over again. You’ve intrigued me with The Black Tulip, it never sounded like an interesting novel before. Happy reading in the New Year.
The Black Tulip never interested me either until I found it in the library and decided to give it a try. It was one of the surprises of the year! Tess and Blue Eyes are the only two Hardy books I’ve read and I loved them both – I’m planning to read some more of his work soon.
I hope next year is a great reading year for you too!
Wow – there are 5 books on your list that are 2010 favorites of mine as well!
I thought The Scapegoat was fantastic and it takes a close second to Rebecca on my du Maurier favorites list.
I loved the simplicity of A Pair of Blue Eyes. Though Far From the Madding Crowd is my favorite Hardy so far, Blue Eyes is definitely also high on the list.
And Middlemarch is most certainly worth the effort.
After reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall early last year, I’ll be continuing with Agnes Grey in January.
Finally, I also loved Tess, though it broke my heart. Tess was my first Hardy novel (I just reviewed Mayor of Casterbridge today.)
The Scapegoat is my second favourite du Maurier book too, after Rebecca. I also loved My Cousin Rachel, though it didn’t quite make my best of 2010 list. I’m reading The House on the Strand at the moment and enjoying it so far.
I hope you like Agnes Grey! I enjoyed it, but didn’t think it was as good as The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
What an excellent list! Many of these books would have made my top ten but I read them a while back….Wild Swans, The Scapegoat, Tess and The Far Pavillions….all excellent reads!
I’m glad you liked them too! I’m looking forward to discovering more great books in 2011. 🙂
I think when I read The Sunne in Splendour, it topped my list of books for that year, too! I am also really glad you enjoyed The Glass of Time as I’ve got that on my shelf. I hope I can read it soon, though I probably don’t remember enough of The Meaning of Night at this point. Hopefully I can catch on quickly! Based on those two books on your list, I want to read all the others! Though I admit I REALLY didn’t like Tenant of Wildfell Hall…
The Glass of Time was fantastic – I couldn’t put it down! I don’t think it will be a problem if you can’t remember The Meaning of Night.
What wonderful sounding books you have read this year! Wild Swans is one of my favourites too and I also adore The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Tess.
I have the Penman book and Far Pavillions at home – think I will crack one of them open this year finally. I am intrigued about the Dumas book too as I loved Monte Cristo. Ooh, I also have the du Maurier one at home too. I MUST read some of these next year.
Can’t wait to see what you read this year.
Happy new year, Helen 🙂
Happy new year to you too! 🙂 I would definitely recommend both The Sunne in Splendour and The Far Pavilions. They’re both chunksters (nearly 1000 pages each) but worth the time it takes to read them!
I remember the women in my family passing around a copy of The Far Pavillions, but somehow I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. Must mend that reading gap! Thanks for the encouragement.
I’ve read it three or four times now and still love it as much as I did the first time. I hope you enjoy it when you get around to reading it!