The end of a reading year...

Good Bye to 2010.
It was a good year.

• I became a Mimi to my adorable Adelaide and am looking forward the birth of grand-girl #2, Amelia Kay in May.
• My 3rd child graduated from high-school, and my 4th child entered high-school.
• My husband still has a job. I still have a job.
• My 2nd child was able to come home from China for a 2.5 month visit before returning for one last year of teaching. (We look forward to his wedding possibly in 2011!)
• We are all healthy!

In reading news:

I read one more book, in total, than I did in 2009.
But, I read 1,931 fewer total pages! This year's total is 12, 811
I had accomplished a goal of reading the complete Harry Potter series. Hooray for Harry, Ron and Hermoine. I read them and loved them!

I accomplished a second goal, that of exploring the graphic novel genre. While it will never be a favorite of mine, I do have at least 3 to read for this year that I didn't get to last year.

The third goal I had set for myself was to read more from my shelves and judging from the fact that I failed to complete the Support Your Local Library challenge, I am guessing I succeeded in lightening my own shelves a bit!

In challenge news:
I completed 11 challenges:

• A-Z 2010
• Twenty-Ten
• Reading From My Shelves
• New Authors
• Graphic Novels
• Fall Into Reading
• RIP V
• Memorable Memoirs
• Spring Reading Thing
• What's In A Name 3
• Rainbow Connection

I did not complete 6 challenges (the first 3 I only missed completing by 1 book!)

• Bibliophilic Book
• Reading Through The Seasons
• TBR
• Once Upon A Time
• Support Your Local Library
• Book Awards IV--this one I will continue with through 2011 as I really want to read the books I have chosen. The host of this challenge has dropped off the face of the blogging world so it won't really be an official challenge anymore, but more like a 2011 personal goal! :)

The books I read:

You can see my total list of books by clicking here.

My top ten favorites (in no particular order) are:

• The Complete Harry Potters series
• Hens Dancing
• Tall Grass
• The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
• The Mapping of Love and Death
  
• La's Orchestra Saves the World
• The Help
• Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
• Brava Valentine
• Out Stealing Horses
  

My blogging life has been a bit erratic since the end of summer---just busy, didn't feel like reviewing everything I read, and began knitting more in my spare time. I hope to find more of a balance for 2011 as I really miss the blogging part of my life. The book community is amazing and I wish I could meet you all in real life!

So, Happy New Year's to you all. I hope that the new year brings you an abundance of love, happiness and joy.

Hello 2011!!