After looking at the list I decided to do so by breaking it out a bit. The list breaks down into three categories which divide my reading into roughly thirds: Young Adult Fiction, Fiction, and Non-Fiction.  So below are my favorite reads in each of those categories.

Young Adult Fiction

Cover of Leepike Ridge

Yes, I’m a grown man and I read young adult fiction. As I have explained a few times, I do this because I find the YA fantasy fiction genre creative and entertaining. Some of them are just fun relaxing reads (admittedly quick and easy as well) but some of them are complex and imaginative in ways that make the label superfluous. They are just great books.

The List (in no particular order):

1. Factotum (The Foundling’s Tale, Part Three) by D. M. Cornish (If you love epic fantasy that is a mix of Tolkien and Dickens you will enjoy this series.)
2. Boom! by Mark Haddon (A great little story – action, adventure, intrigue and humor all in less than 200 pages.)
3. The Necromancer by Michael Scott (An enjoyable fantasy thriller where you race to read the book only to be forced to wait for the next release to dive back in again.)
4. Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson (“An original mix of Robinson Crusoe, King Solomon’s Mines, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Odyssey”)
5. Wild Magic by Cat Weatherill (A creative and intelligent mix of myth, mystery and coming of age stories.)

“Adult” Fiction and Non-Fiction below.

Fiction

Despite my enjoyment of YA I haven’t fully embraced the niche idea and so still read “adult” fiction. A couple of my favorite authors had new books out and I found a couple of new authors as well.

The List:

1. The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan (Hallinan offer not only the tension and suspense of a thriller but the human insight of a more literary novel)
2. The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors by Michele Young-Stone (… skilfully captures both the time periods and ages involved as well as the variety of ways humans can find tragedy)
3. Peter and Max by Bill Willingham (a creative and entertaining twist on the story of the Pied Piper and a nice introduction to the work of Bill Willingham)
4. Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos (walks the fine line between slapstick comedy and insightful spiritual commentary – and in my opinion manages to pull it off for the most part)
5. The Last Christian by David Gregory (blends suspense and philosophical and spiritual issues into an entertaining mix)

Non-Fiction

I didn’t read a lot of non-fiction this year and most of the focus was on faith and spiritual issues.  I hope to read more non-fiction this year but focus is likely to remain the same.

The List:

1. Somewhere More Holy by Tony Woodlief (a glimpse into how grace and faith can overcome the darkest tragedies and how love can overcome more than you can imagine)
2. William F. Buckley (Christian Encounters) by Jeremy Lott (a quick and well done introduction to this larger that life figure in American politics)
3. Radical by David Platt (Quite simply Platt asks his readers to think about how they might live if they really believed what they read in the Bible)
4. Gripped by the Greatness of God by James McDonald (an engaging and challenging study based on the book of Isaiah)
5. Abraham Lincoln: A Presidential Life by James M. McPherson (The usefulness of a book like this is that its succinctness can be perfect for a variety of readers.)

So there you have it. Fifteen books that I enjoyed in 2010 and that I recommend to you in 2011.

1) John the Baptizer by Brooks Hansen:

No matter your faith background, or lack of it, or your knowledge of the Bible, or lack of it, I highly recommend John The Baptizer.  Its blends the historical and the literary in ways that defy genre and subject matter to create a powerful story.

2) Right Time, Right Place by Richard Brookhiser

For anyone wanting to understand the conservative movement, and its flagship magazine, Right Time, Right Place is a must read.  And anyone interested in becoming a journalist/writer would do well to read it. But at its heart is a more humane vision: that being true to your ideals and friends is what’s important.

3) The Everafter War by Michael Buckley

With the Everafter War Michael Buckley again shows why this series has won the acclaim and popularity it has.  Each book has just the right amount of humor and seriousness; of plot and character development mixed with satire and slapstick.  He keeps the reader guessing – although both the traitor and the master are pretty easy to spot – and despite all the silliness (and the YA audience) the characters are surprisingly well developed. It is just an ideal light read for me and for kids of all ages.

4) The New Policeman by Kate Thompson

So whether you are fascinated by Celtic lore, love traditional Irish music, or just enjoy creative storytelling, there is plenty to like in The New Policemen.  Thompson’s love of Ireland – its culture, history, people, and land – comes shining through and it is infectious.  When combined with a unique adventure story it makes for enjoyable reading. I recommend it for readers young and old.

5) Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden

This is something of a big complicated mess.  And yet it is a big complicated beautiful mess.  And not to sound cliche, but ain’t that life?

6) Leap Over a Wall by Eugene Peterson

Eugene Peterson takes the story of David and reveals the important theological insights it offers in accessible and yet poetic language. Each chapter is a short read but packed with insights into the Christian life and deep thoughts about what it means to be human.

7) Children of Odin by Padraic Colum

So whether you are looking for an accessible introduction to these myths, something interesting for the younger readers you know or if, like me, you just like exploring myths and ancient stories check out the Children of Odin.

8) The Sorceress by Michael Scott

If you have been living in a cave and haven’t stumbled on this series yet, and you like fantasy adventure, I highly recommend it.

This is one of those great series where each book seems to get better and each wait for the next one to come up seems more intolerable.

9) The End of Secularism by Hunter Baker

If you are interested in the subject of secularism or the interaction of faith in the public square you will want to read this book.  It can serve as a useful introduction or an interesting argument/debate kickoff for those with more of a background in the subject.

10) Secret Son by Laila Lalami

Secret Son has many traditional elements: coming of age; rags to riches to rags; East meets West; family versus individual identity; fate versus free will; etc.  But it has a simplicity and honesty that makes it fresh and avoids cliche or a preachy tone.

So there you have it. Ten books I really enjoyed in 2009. What were your favorites in 2009?