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Best of 2010 - Books

Best Fiction Books

To the End of the Land Bitter in the Mouth Faithful Place

In a year that produced an embarrassment of riches, our list of the season's best fiction runs the gamut from deft literary thrillers to sprawling family sagas and genre gems. Outstanding picks include Tana French's atmospheric crime novel Faithful Place; Great House, a finely-wrought novel of memory and history by Nicole Krauss; and Matterhorn, Karl Marlantes "novelized" account of his experiences in Vietnam. Add to the mix dazzling works from literary powerhouses like Jonathan Franzen, David Grossman, and Gary Shteyngart, and you begin to understand why we consider 2010 a banner year!

Best Nonfiction Books

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void

All over the map (in the best sense), this year's nonfiction bests include tantalizing titles from science, biography, business, history, and beyond. We discovered space travelers who have miraculously adapted to an "off-Earth environment" in their junkets to places like Mars. We met the Wall Street whizzes who bet against the economy (and made in a mint in the process). And, from across the pond, we met Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the theologian who stood up to Hitler. We also got the dish on the top chefs with Anthony Bourdain, and relived one of the greatest migrations in history. All in all, it was a trip not to be missed!

Best Kids' Books

The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus Series #1) Chick 'n' Pug Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters

Friendship, magic, and laugh-out-loud humor dominated the landscape, as 2010 yielded a bumper crop of remarkable children's books for all ages and interests. Strikingly original picture books showcased the talents of first-class illustrators and storytellers; others touched on unique lessons. Older readers shared in the year's literary bounty with exciting episodes of new series as well as noteworthy novels.

Best Teen Books

Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series #3) Torment (Lauren Kate's Fallen Series #2) Revolution

Some of the most engrossing books published this year were aimed at teen readers -- a smart, savvy, and eminently discriminating audience with far-ranging tastes. Escapist fare included superbly nuanced paranormal romance, as well as well-crafted genre fiction and dark dystopian tales like Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. Important, more problematic teen issues were explored in several critically acclaimed novels, including Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall and Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly.

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review - Year's Best Reading 2010 > Read Now