Catherine’s Top Fifteen Reading Picks for 2010

Here they are–my favorite stories and novels of 2010. The criteria is that I read them in 2010, not that they were written in 2010. They are a variety of mediums: novels, story cycles, comics and short stories.

Because I read 143 separate literary works this year, I’m going to list 15, rather than my usual ten. There were other books I read that I liked as well, but these are the ones that have endured as my favorites over the course of the year.

Here we go.

Ilona Andrews. Magic Bleeds No one executes diverse folkloric traditions like Ilona Andrews. Her characterization is deft in its consistency and never dull.

Swati Avasthi. Split. An admirable young adult novel that is the most realistic I’ve seen regarding the path real people take as they deal with abuse. Neither all trauma or all victims, it is a great book for people to read to understand the abusive cycle.

D. M. Cornish. Factotum The last of the Lamplighter series, Cornish continues to fascinate with his unique world and character archetypes. And, there are cool illustrations.

Thomas Disch. The Word of God. I’d never read any Disch before this. This is smart, cyncial, and rewarding.

George Galuschak. On the Making of a Dead Man’s Hand. No, most of you haven’t read it, unless you were lucky enough to be at Taos Toolbox 2010, or you know George. Because people seem to have trouble publishing funny Cthullu stories. I say that there should be NO other kind. This is brilliant.

Kij Johnson. The Fox Woman. Stunning. Gorgeous. Well-researched. Ambiguous. Perfect. An amazing retelling of Japanese mythology by a Westerner. Some day I will meet Kij Johnson, and there will be much fan-girling.

Christopher Kastensmidt. The Fortuitous Meeting of Gerard Van Oost and Oludara. You can get this unique historical fantasy in back issues of Realms of Fantasy. This fantasy involves a Portuguese explorer, an African dragon slayer, and the fantastic adventures they encounter in the New World. Not to be missed, this first episode introduces the characters.

Aaron McGruder. A Right to be Hostile: The Boondocks Treasury. Read this! And while you’re at it, watch the series. Educate yourself.

Mary Ann Mohanraj. Bodies in Motion. This has been called the Sri Lankan Joy Luck Club with sex…by the author. Meet incredible characters, see interesting family relationships, and appreciate each short story in this story cycle for the gem it is.

Terry Pratchett. Night Watch. A dark alternative future, reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life, Pratchett entangles time travel with the past of a man’s life, and he has to guide his younger self. Very meaty and poignant.

Nnedi Okorafor. Who Fears Death. Another VERY IMPORTANT book. Social commentary on our own world is what the best SF has always done. This book does that.

Caroline Stevermer. A College of Magics. Strong heroine who has a feminist focus, Stevermer breaks out of the typical Cinderella story in YA and shows young girls how to be their own women. And I’m a total sucker for the surprise twist at the end.

Greg Van Eekhout. Kid vs. Squid. Whimsy has a new name, and it is this guy. Share this book with your kids, or your relatives who are kids, or any kid you can drag off the street. It is funny and clever.

Megan Whalen-Turner. The Queen of Attolia. Heart breaker! Another amazing angst fest with an excellent ending twist.

Margaret Whilley. A Summer of Silk Moths. A love story that takes place over the summer, it’s a classic but beautifully written YA. While a young man narrates, a young woman comes to understand her past. There’s also a great deal of well-researched moth ecology in the book.

And you? What did you read this year that you were particularly fond of?