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?