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Back in early December I first considered doing this look back post. I went through my old book journals, and narrowed down my options, but guess what? The holidays and life just got in the way and I ran out of time. Big surprise there! So, now I may be a little late, but life is also a little calmer, so I’m finally ready to share my favorite books from each year of the last decade.
Some years choosing a single book was easy, but other years it was a HUGE challenge. So much so, that I’m also going to give you my runner(s)-up for each year. I kept my choices limited to fiction, since I’ve only been seriously reading nonfiction for the last few years. It will be fun to see how many books others loved as much as I did, so let me know what you think.
2010
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer – There’s a lot of great WWII fiction out there, but Orringer’s epic story of three Jewish Hungarian brothers had me riveted to her debut novel. It had everything: love, art, family, and glimpses into the treatment of Hungarian Jews I’d not been aware of.
Runners-Up: Still Missing by Chevy Stevens and The Hangman’s Daughter (book 1) by Oliver Pötzsch
2011
11/22/63 by Stephen King – I read a lot of Stephen King’s early books, but hadn’t picked one up in a number of years when I started hearing buzz about 11/22/63. At over 800 pages, I was somewhat daunted, but flew through it. If you’ve never read this tale of time travel and the attempt fo rewrite history, you need to. You’ll be in for a wild ride!
Runner-Up: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
2012
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker – The unique premise of Walker’s debut, the world’s orbit slowing down, combined with a touching coming-of-age story are what has made her book stay at the top of my favorites list year after year. Interestingly, it’s one of only two debuts on my list.
Runners-Up: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Rifka Brunt
2013
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer – Stories of life-long friendships are among my very favorites and The Interestings is definitely at the top of that list. I’ve loved most everything by Wolitzer, but this story about six teens who meet at a summer camp and never let go of the tight bonds they formed there is my favorite. If somehow you’ve missed it, add it to your TBR!
Runner-Up: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
2014
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel – I enjoy a dystopian novel every now and again, but never have I been as blown away by one as I was with Station Eleven. Mandel set the stage beautifully for her touching story of a girl who finds family in a group of traveling performers.
Runners-Up: Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson and The Girls from Corona Del Mar by Rufi Thorpe
2015
A Little Life by Hanya Yanaghara – This book absolutely gutted me. No book has ever taken me on the emotional journey that A Little Life did. I have this weird thing where when I’m really sad, to the point of sobbing, I’m drawn to the shower to shed my tears. A Little Life put me in the shower several times and I don’t think any other book has done that to me.
Runner-Up: Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg
2016
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett – My favorite author delivered a beautiful novel about a most dysfunctional family. That’s a common theme many of us relate to, but oh, how she does it! Most of our stories don’t get written up in a book as happened to the two families in Commonwealth, but this book made me realize that every family has a story. (my review)
Runner-Up: Shelter by Jung Yun
2017
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne – This, my first John Boyne book, made me a lifelong fan. With superb writing he at times had me laughing and crying on the same page. I loved every minute of this stunning seventy year journey following Irish-born Cyril Avery through a myriad of relationships. (my review)
Runners-Up: The Power by Naomi Alderman (my review) and We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter (my review)
2018
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai – Makkai’s gorgeous writing and powerful story of the aids crisis in 1980’s Chicago has stayed with me ever since I first read the Great Believers. For me it had everything: vivid characters living in a devastating era, a bit of mystery, wonderful locales, and most of all heart. This book has a lot of heart! (my review)
Runner-Up: Waiting for Eden by Elliot Ackerman (my review)
2019
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – What’s not to love about a book showcasing the rise and fall of an iconic 1970’s rock band? Jenkins Reid took a chance telling her story in interview format, but that’s what truly made Daisy Jones & The Six shine. (my review)
Runner Up: The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (my review)
Finally, you might wonder if I have a favorite book of the entire decade, and the answer would be a resounding, “yes.” Without a double my favorite book in the last ten years has been A Little Life.
Do you have a favorite book of the last decade?
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This list just confirmed what I had already suspected. We are reading twins. I am going to add some tof these books to my TBR. Thank you for sharing.
Always great to have more reading twins!
Have you seen the TV show based on 11/22/63?
My TTT .
No! I need to find that and check it out. Thanks for the tip.
Amazing list Susie!
Hands down my favourite of the decade is the Hearts Invisible Furies. Ci May even give it a re read
I don’t do many rereads, but Heart’s would be one well worth revisiting.
I’ve thought about doing this kind of list as well, but I’ve never gotten around to it. It was fun to read yours, even though I’ve only read a couple of the books you loved. I’ll have to check out more of them!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Favorite books of this decade include: Station Eleven, Eleanor Oliphant, The Invisible Bridge, Lilac Girls, The Gilded Years, News of the World, Rules of Civility, We Were the Lucky Ones, The Burgess Boys, The Nickel Boys, The All Girls’ Filling Station,Before We Were Yours. I also read several very good non-fiction books.
We have quite a few in common and several of yours were close for me – Eleanor Oliphant, The Nickel Boys. Have you read The Only Plane in the Sky, yet?
No, but thanks for the recommendation. I”s definitely on my list. Have you read The Huntress? I just finished it and really liked it.
Yes, Daisy Jones really made a splash last year! Lovely list here!
Thank you so much.
This is fabulous! I don’t know where you found the time OR how you can remember back to 2010. I don’t think I was keeping any kind of records back then.
I love so many of your choices. You’ve inspired me- maybe I can get something like this put together before 2020 is over!
I can remember back because I kept book journals before I started blogging, so I turned back to those to look for books I’d rated the highest. After that it became more difficult to narrow it down to one a year. (Thus, the runners-up!)
I’d love to see your list.
Oh it’s hard to recall a favorite for the last decade …. but Station Eleven sure hit out of the park in 2014. You have a solid list!
Thanks, Susan. I’m sure we share many favorites.
11/22/63 was a great read! I also hadn’t read his books in years, but I remember I pre-ordered that one because I was excited about it!
My sister who reads very little was reading it and that was all the push I needed.
The Most Fun We Ever Had made my Top Ten of the decade. And I FINALLY purchased Daisy Jones. I’m so excited to read that one! Great post!
I loved that one, too!