When people ask me why I like my Kindle, the first thing I always say is that it makes me want to read more. They usually give me a strange look, because that reasoning has nothing to do with the specific device or the technology behind it.
But that’s the truth of my experience with e-readers. In my paper book days, I’d get through maybe a book every couple months. In my first year with the Kindle, I read over 50 books. The technology got me interested in reading, and I think that’s a good enough reason to support e-books. The same thing happened with the iPod (got me interested in music), the DVR (made me care about TV shows) and the Apple TV (made me want to watch more good movies).
With that said, enjoy my list of the top books from 2010.
1. Super Sad True Love Story, Gary Shteyngart (http://amzn.to/e51Buw) – A wild, funny, Vonnegut-like novel with talking otters.
2. The Thieves of Manhattan, Adam Langer (http://amzn.to/fvpWHi) – I’m a sucker for books about people writing books.
3. Horns, Joe Hill (http://amzn.to/enCqt1) – Hill is Stephen King’s son, and the horror elements of his father’s work are certainly present here, but the love story is what made this a memorable read for me.
4. The Imperfectionists, Tom Rachman (http://amzn.to/e5tSrD) – More of a collection of short stories than a novel; nevertheless, some terrific character studies and an insightful look at the different aspects of the journalism world and its impending death.
5. Sh*t My Dad Says, Justin Halpern (http://amzn.to/dSseA4) – Not even the horrible sitcom it spawned could ruin the hilarity of this book.
6. The Irresistible Henry House, Lisa Grunwald (http://amzn.to/ftDQqR) – I describe it as a modern day, male version of “Jane Eyre” (except without the psychotic beast-wife).
7. The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise, Julia Stuart (http://amzn.to/dHcWHA) –A novel just as quirky as its title.
8. Point Omega, Don DeLillo (http://amzn.to/gdDkQv) – A short, poignant tale by one of my favorite authors.
Honorable Mention: How I Became a Famous Novelist, Steve Hely (http://amzn.to/hNewu3) – It came out in 2009, but I consider it the funniest and most entertaining book I’ve read on Kindle so far. Highly recommended.
