Posted by JC at
I read a lot of series this year, and I read a lot of really good series. See my favorite audiobooks from 2010 to find some other great series.
#5
Number of books: 5
Quick Synopsis: Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.
What I thought: Don't judge the series off the movie (you can say that about almost any movie made from book). The series overall is a pretty light read but a lot of fun. Percy gets lucky throughout but I really enjoyed learning a bit more about Greek Mythology and having a good laugh.
#4
Number of books: 3
Quick Synopsis: Mirandaâs disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.
What I thought: My favorite book in this series was definitely the first one, but I really loved how this book made me reflect on what is important in life the most and what I need to do to be prepared for any type of natural disaster. I also really liked how Miranda was so real - being very pessimistic at times and working out what she wants to happen with her life.
#3
Number of books: 6
Quick Synopsis: In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cutâyoung Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.
What I thought: So I actually read Ender's Game last year, but I read (listened) to the rest of the series this year. I am typically not a sci-fi fan, but this series was very well done (perhaps it is the audiobook format that helped as well). Overall though, the books are very interesting and I highly recommend them along with the Shadow series (especially interesting after reading Ender's Game).
#2
Number of books: 3
Quick Synopsis: Mikael Blomkvist, a once-respected financial journalist, watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected (and unsettling) offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch - and there's always a catch - is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades. With few other options, he accepts and enlists the help of investigator Lisbeth Salander, a misunderstood genius with a cache of authority issues.
What I thought: This probably would have been number 1 on my list, but I read the first book in the series back in 2009, so I dropped it to 2nd place. Regardless, this whole series was very good, but quite intense and graphic. These books were probably the most popular in the US this year, and for good reason. Highly recommend this series but realize the content is very serious.
#1
Number of books: 4
Quick Synopsis: Meet Isabel "Izzy" Spellman, private investigator. This twenty-eight-year-old may have a checkered past littered with romantic mistakes, excessive drinking, and creative vandalism; she may be addicted to Get Smart reruns and prefer entering homes through windows rather than doors -- but the upshot is she's good at her job as a licensed private investigator with her family's firm, Spellman Investigations. Invading people's privacy comes naturally to Izzy. In fact, it comes naturally to all the Spellmans. If only they could leave their work at the office. To be a Spellman is to snoop on a Spellman; tail a Spellman; dig up dirt on, blackmail, and wiretap a Spellman.
What I thought: Loved these books overall. Izzy and her family are absolutely crazy and Izzy is a real smart alec who likes to give everyone a hard time. I seriously don't know how to explain these books. Give them a read and you'll find out.
Comments
tysqui said...
I like these lists of yours. I'm adding a bunch of books to my already long 'to-read' list.