2010 in Books

My reading in 2010 (links are to my all too rare reviews):
  1. Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden (1996, Australia) ***1/2, finished January 4. 
  2. Reckless by Amanda Quick (1992, USA) **, finished January 4.
  3. More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh (2000, Canada) **1/2, finished January 6.
  4. The Indiscretion by Judith Ivory (2001, USA) ***1/2, finished January 9.
  5. Untie my Heart by Judith Ivory (2002, USA) ***1/2, finished January 10. 
  6. Look Back in Anger by John Osborne (1956, UK) ***1/2, finished January 11.
  7. Lady Elizabeth's Comet by Sheila Simonson (2008, USA) ***1/2, finished January 11.
  8. Agamemnon by Aeschylus (458 BCE, Athens) ****1/2, finished January 12.
  9. Angel in a Red Dress by Judith Ivory (1988, USA) ***, finished January 13.
  10. Lord Ruin by Carolyn Jewel (2002, USA) *1/2, finished January 17.
  11. Oedipus the King by Sophocles (c. 428 BCE, Athens) ****, finished January 18.
  12. The Caretaker by Harold Pinter (1959, UK) ***1/2, finished January 18.
  13. Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer (USA) **1/2, finished January 18.
  14. The Wild Child by Mary Jo Putney (1999, USA) ***, finished January 21.
  15. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard (1967, UK) *****, finished January 25.
  16. The Bacchae by Euripides (406 BCE, Athens) ****, finished January 25.
  17. The Winter Queen by Amanda McCabe (2009, USA) **1/2 , finished January 25.
  18. The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost (2004, USA/Holland) ***, finished February 1.
  19. What the Butler Saw by Joe Orton (1967, UK) ***1/2, finished February 1.
  20. Lysistrata by Aristophanes (411 BCE, Athens) ***1/2, finished February 2.
  21. The Proposition by Judith Ivory (1999, USA) ***1/2, finished February 6.
  22. Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale (2010, USA) ****, finished February 7.
  23. Equus by Peter Shaffer (1973, UK) ***, finished February 8.
  24. Sleeping Beauty by Judith Ivory (1998, USA) ***1/2, finished February 10.
  25. Eyton by Lynne Connolly (2010, USA) *, finished February 12.
  26. Ember by Bettie Sharpe (2008, USA) ****, finished February 13.
  27. 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick (2007, USA) ****, finished February 13.
  28. Everyman (15th C, England) ***1/2, finished February 15.
  29. Top Girls by Caryl Churchill (1982, UK) ****, finished February 16.
  30. Black Ice by Anne Stuart (2005, USA) **1/2, finished February 16.
  31. Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole (2008, USA) **, finished February 17.
  32. The Rebellious Ward by Joan Wolf (1984, USA) ***1/2, finished February 17.
  33. The Double Deception by Joan Wolf (1983, USA) **1/2, finished February 19.
  34. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811, UK) ****, finished February 22.  
  35. To Have and to Hold by Patricia Gaffney (1995, USA) ***, finished February 23.
  36. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (2004, USA) ***, finished February 23.
  37. Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker (1988, UK) ***1/2, finished March 1.
  38. The Slightest Provocation by Pam Rosenthal (2006, USA) **1/2, finished March 1.
  39. Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (1590-1593, England) ***, finished March 3. 
  40. Pentecost by David Edgar (1995, UK) ****, finished March 10. 
  41. A London Season by Joan Wolf (1980, USA) **1/2, finished March 10. 
  42. Sabriel by Garth Nix (1995, Australia) ***, finished March 12. 
  43. A Gypsy at Almack's by Chloe Cheshire (1993, USA) ***1/2, finished March 12. 
  44. What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell (2008, USA) ***, finished March 13.  
  45. Like a Thief in the Night by Bettie Sharpe (2008, USA) **1/2, finished March 14. 
  46. Fuenteovejuna by Lope de Vega (~1614, Spain) ***, finished March 15.
  47. Copenhagen by Michael Frayn (1998, UK) ****1/2, finished March 15.
  48. Celia's Secret by Michael Frayn and David Burke (2001, UK) ***1/2, finished March 17.
  49. Dark Angel by Mary Balogh (1994, Canada) ***, finished March 19.
  50. Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh (1995, Canada) **1/2, finished March 20. 
  51. 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane (1999, UK) ****1/2, finished March 22. 
  52. Bliss by Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas (1995, USA) ****, finished March 23.
  53. House by Alan Ayckbourn (2000, UK) ***1/2, finished March 25.
  54. Tartuffe by Molière (1664-9, France) ***1/2, finished March 29.
  55. Garden by Alan Ayckbourn (2000, UK) ***1/2, finished March 29. 
  56. The Scottish Lord by Joan Wolf (1981, USA) **1/2, finished April 3. 
  57. Incredible Change-Bots by Jeffrey Brown (2007, USA) ***, finished April 3.
  58. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (2008, UK) ****, finished April 3.
  59. Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth (2009, UK) ****, finished April 5.
  60. Phaedra by Jean Racine (1677, France) ****, finished April 5.
  61. Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri (2009, USA) ***, finished April 12.
  62. Mind Games by Carolyn Crane (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished April 14.
  63. Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare (2009, USA) ***, finished April 15.
  64. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs (2008, USA) ***, finished April 16.
  65. The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin (2008, UK) ***1/2, finished April 20. 
  66. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (2008, Australia) ****, finished April 21.
  67. Wicked all Day by Liz Carlyle (2009) **1/2, finished May 5.
  68. The Gilded Web by Mary Balogh (Wales/Canada, 1989) **1/2, finished Mary 8.
  69. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb (1995, USA) ***, finished May 16.
  70. The Best of Saki by Saki (1904/1910/1911/1914/1923, UK) ****, finished May 24.
  71. Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished May 27.
  72. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (2008, UK/USA) ***1/2, finished May 30.
  73. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1991, USA) **1/12, finished June 9.
  74. Pyongyang by Guy Delisle (2003, Canada) ***1/2, finished June 16.
  75. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (2010, USA) **, finished June 16.
  76. Improper Relations by Janet Mullany (2010, UK) ***, finished June 20.
  77. His at Night by Sherry Thomas (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished June 27.
  78. Jim the Boy by Tony Earley (2000, USA) ****, finished June 29.
  79. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams (1987, USA) ***, finished July 1
  80. Dungeon: Twilight, Vol. 3: The New Centurions by Sfar, Trondheim, Kerascoet and Obion (2006, France) ***1/2, finished July 2.
  81. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (2005, USA) ***1/2, finished July 4.
  82. Ooku: The Inner Chambers, vol. 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga (2005, Japan)***1/2, finished July 6.
  83. A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro (1982, UK) ****, finished July 8.
  84. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig (2005, USA), ***, finished July 9.
  85. Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley (2010, USA) ***, finished July 9.
  86. The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison (2007, USA) ***, finished July 10. 
  87. Bangkok 8 by John Burdett (2003, USA) ***1/2, finished July 13.
  88. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder (2006, USA) ***, finished July 14.
  89. Scandal by Carolyn Jewel (2009, USA) ****, finished July 15.
  90. If his Kiss is Wicked by Jo Goodman (2007, USA) ***1/2, finished July 16.
  91. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie (2000, USA) ****, finished July 17.
  92. House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer (2002, USA) ***1/2, finished July 21.
  93. Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin (2009, USA) **1/2, finished July 23.
  94. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto (1988, Japan) ***, finished July 24. 
  95. The Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany (2007, USA) **1/2, finished July 24.
  96. Heaven's Fire by Patricia Ryan (1996, USA) ***, finished July 28.
  97. Lily by Patricia Gaffney (1996, USA) ***, finished July 28.
  98. Still Life with Murder by P.B. Ryan (2003, USA) ****, finished July 29.
  99. Murder in a Mill Town by P.B. Ryan (2004, USA) ***1/2, finished July 29.
  100. Death on Beacon Hill by P.B. Ryan (2005, USA) ***, finished July 30.
  101. Murder on Black Friday by P.B. Ryan (2005, USA) ***, finished July 30.
  102. Memories of my Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombia, 2005) ***1/2, finished July 31.
  103. Web of Love by Mary Balogh (1990, Canada) ***1/2, finished August 1.
  104. The Devil's Web by Mary Balogh (1990, Canada) ***, finished August 2.
  105. The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt (2007, USA) ***, finished August 4.
  106. Silken Threads by Patricia Ryan (1999, USA) ***1/2, finished August 6.
  107. Flat Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy (2008, USA) **, finished August 7.
  108. Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (1987, UK) ***, finished August 8.
  109. My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne (2008, USA) **1/2, finished August 9.
  110. The Village Spinster by Laura Matthews (1993, USA) ***, finished August 10. 
  111. The Devil's Waltz by Anne Stuart (2006, USA) **1/2, finished August 11.
  112. Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams (1958, USA) ****, finished August 11.
  113. Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy (2005, USA) **1/2, finished August 11.
  114. Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty (2000, Australia) ***, finished August 12.
  115. Master of Desire by Kinley MacGregor (2001, USA) **, finished August 15.
  116. The China Garden by Liz Berry (1996, UK) ***1/2, finished August 17.
  117. Everyman's Rules for Scientific Living by Carrie Tiffany (2005, Australia) ****, finished August 18.
  118. Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn (1997, USA) **, finished August 19.
  119. The War against Miss Winter by Kathryn Miller Haines (2007, USA) ***1/2, finished August 24.
  120. Dead of Night by John Marsden (1994, Australia) ***1/2, finished August 25.
  121. Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin (2009, UK) ****,  finished August 26.
  122. Ooku: The Inner Chambers, Vol. 2 by Fumi Yoshinaga (2006, Japan) ***1/2, finished August 27.
  123. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (2010, USA) ****, finished September 3.
  124. The Sun and the Moon by Patricia Ryan (2000, USA) *** 1/2, finished September 5.
  125. The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig (2006, USA) ***, finished September 7.
  126. The Marriage Bed by Laura Lee Guhrke (2005, USA) ***, finished September 10.
  127. Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney (2009, USA) ***, finished September 12.
  128. The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard (1983, UK) ****1/2, finished September 15.
  129. Agamemnon by Aeschylus (458 BCE, Athens) ****1/2, finished September 15.
  130. Ransom by Julie Garwood (1999, USA) ***, finished September 18.
  131. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (2009, UK) ****, finished September 22.
  132. Cold as Ice by Anne Stuart (2006, USA) **1/2, finished September 26.
  133. Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello (1921, Italy) ****, finished September 28.
  134. Double Cross by Carolyn Crane (USA, 2010) ****, finished September 30.
  135. Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan (USA, 2010) ****, finished October 4.
  136. Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished October 5.
  137. The Blacks: A Clown Show by Jean Genet (France, 1958) ***1/2, finished October 10.
  138. Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas (2001, USA) **1/2, finished Oct 15.
  139. The Frogs by Aristophanes (205 BCE, Athens) ****, finished October 17.
  140. Stranger in My Arms by Lisa Kleypas (1998, USA)***, finished October 17.
  141. Mine till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas (2007, USA) ***, finished ~ October 19.
  142. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished ~ October 21.
  143. Offending the Audience by Peter Handke (1966, Austria) ****, finished October 24.
  144. Seduce me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas (2008, USA) ***1/2, finished October 28.
  145. Faking It by Jennifer Crusie (2002, USA) ****1/2, finished October 29. 
  146. The Heir and the Spare by Maya Rodale (2007, USA) **1/2, finished November 1.
  147. Pantomime by Derek Walcott (1978, Saint Lucia) ****, finished November 2.
  148. Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas (2009, USA) ****, finished November 4.
  149. Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished November 5.
  150. Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished November 6.
  151. The Island by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona (1973, South Africa) ****, finished November 9.
  152. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson (1980, USA) ****, finished  November 9.
  153. Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas (2002, USA) **1/2, finished November 10.
  154. Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie (1993, USA) ***, finished November 11.
  155. The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd (?) (1582-1592, England) ***1/2, finished November 15.
  156. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (2009, USA) ***, finished November 17. 
  157. Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie (1994, USA) **, finished November 18.
  158. Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin (2010, USA) ***, finished November 20.
  159. The Native Star by M.K. Hobson (2010, USA) ***1/2, finished November 26.
  160. Maybe this Time by Jennifer Crusie (2010, USA) ***, finished November 27.
  161. Glory in Death by J.D. Robb (1995, USA) ***, finished December 2.
  162. Blue by George Eliot Clarke (2001, Canada) ****1/2, finished December 3.
  163. Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne (2000, USA) ***, finished December 4.
  164. Life as we Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (2006, USA) ***1/2, finished December 4.
  165. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James (2009, USA) ***, finished December 6.
  166. Trust Me on This by Jennifer Crusie (1997, USA) ***, finished December 8.
  167. By Design by Madeline Hunter (2001, USA) ***, finished December 9.
  168. Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Banks (1999, USA) ****, finished December 9.
  169. The Author by Tim Crouch (2009, UK) ***1/2, finished December 11. 
  170. Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy (2008, USA) *1/2, finished December 13.
  171. Women at the Thesmophoria by Aristophanes (Athens) ***, finished December 15.
  172. Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James (USA) ***, finished December 17.
  173. Hoops by Patricia McLinn (USA) **1/2, finished December 22.
  174. The Luneburg Variation by Paolo Maurensig (Italy, 1993) ***, finished December 24.
  175. And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander (USA, 2005) ***1/2, finished December 24.
  176. A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander (USA, 2007) ***1/2, finished December 25.
  177. Point Omega by Don Delillo (USA, 2010) ***, finished December 26.
  178. The Summer of You by Kate Noble (USA, 2010) ***1/2, finished December 27.
  179. Body Check by Deirdre Martin (USA, 2003) **1/2, finished December 30.

7 Responses so far.

  1. Melissa says:
    Friday, December 31, 2010 at 10:40:00 PM AST

    What a great list! Happy New Year!

  2. Sycorax Pine says:
    Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 2:25:00 PM AST

    Thanks, Melissa! I have to admit that I'm getting a slow start in 2011....

  3. Janine Ballard says:
    Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 10:44:00 PM AST

    Great list. I would love it if you'd post your thoughts about the books you read more often, as I love to read your insights, even when my opinion differs from yours.

  4. Sycorax Pine says:
    Friday, March 4, 2011 at 10:30:00 AM AST

    Thanks so much, Janine! I wish I'd do that too, but I'm afraid all my good intentions on January 1 vanished in a puff of work-related stress as soon as the semester got under way. I am so heartened by your comment, however, that I am going to try to post some mini-reviews I have stored up, as soon as I can.

  5. Janine Ballard says:
    Friday, March 4, 2011 at 6:18:00 PM AST

    Thanks, I am greatly enjoying your mini-reviews. And dare I hope that during spring break you'll have some time for posting longer ones?

  6. Sycorax Pine says:
    Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 12:23:00 AM AST

    I wish that it were so, but I've just come BACK from Winter Break (as we call the midterm vacation in springless Nova Scotia) and it was more frantic than ever.

    But I'm so glad that you enjoy them! I'll have to be more rigorous with my mini-review discipline.

  7. Janine Ballard says:
    Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 5:43:00 PM AST

    That would be great.

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