Here at Powell's, nothing gives us greater joy than sharing our favorite books with our customers — and having our customers share theirs in return. So, annually we ask you to determine which titles should earn the coveted Puddly Awards, Powell's version of the Oscars. Thanks to all who voted for this year's titles!
Oh, my, what great taste you have, Powell's customers! We asked you to tell us about the best book you read in 2010, and you didn't hold back. You cast thousands of votes for a broad spectrum of worthy titles, but these are the books that rose to the top. Meet your 2011 Puddly Award Winners.
The Help
by Kathryn Stockett Customer Comment from NYEnglishTeacher
...History is brought vividly to life through the alternating perspectives and unique voices Stockett has created. As only the best novels can do, we see the best and worst of humanity here; great strength and dignity, and disappointing cruelty and ignorance. This is a book to share with all of the women in your life!
List Price $24.95 Your price: $5.95
Used - Hardcover
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2
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot Customer Comment from ksiegle
...Tactfully and honestly reconstructed by the author, the book touches on almost every aspect and implication of the astounding events surrounding the life, death, and afterlife of Henrietta Lacks. Most importantly, it encourages further thought and research while remaining an entirely satisfying read. Highly, highly recommended.
List Price $26.00 Your price: $10.95
Used - Hardcover
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3
Cutting for Stone (Vintage)
by Abraham Verghese Customer Comment from Goods
Accomplishes what the best fiction is able to do: explores the complexity of human relationships and competing passions with honest insights and beautiful prose. Inspires one to rededicate his life to what is most important.
List Price $15.95 Your price: $7.95
Used - Trade Paper
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4
Room
by Emma Donoghue Customer Comment from Marissa O
I read this book without much foreknowledge and it moved me beyond words. I had to stop many times and just let the conflicting emotions wash through me. I am immeasurably impressed with the author's skill and art in writing this story with such compassion and insight.
List Price $24.99 Your price: $7.95
Used - Hardcover
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5
Freedom: A Novel
by Jonathan Franzen Customer Comment from Matt Martinson
Franzen's earlier works are great, but Freedom is exceptional. I can't believe how easily he draws the reader into the characters, who are lovable because they feel compellingly real in their bad decisions, moral failures, and occasional victories. An absolutely fantastic work.
List Price $28.00 Your price: $7.50
Used - Hardcover
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6
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (The Millennium Trilogy #1)
by Stieg Larsson Customer Comment from Debra Nelson
It's a fairly obvious choice for the Puddly Awards, but it's also the book that lingered longest in my mind. An intriguing story, a unique setting, memorable characters, brilliant writing... Pretty much a perfect book.
List Price $7.99 Your price: $3.50
Used - Mass Market
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7
Just Kids
by Patti Smith Customer Comment from JV2
This atypical love story, part chance and apparently part fate, is full of wonder and names you know and places you'll only wish you could have been, too. I read this on a cross-country flight and had tears pouring down my face. Touching, beautiful, a story about growing, friendship, love, art — I have recommended this to everyone I know.
List Price $16.00 Your price: $10.95
Used - Trade Paper
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8
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War
by Karl Marlantes Customer Comment from Trevor Reeves
...I got deeply involved in the book and the characters. The underlying story of loyalty to comrades and how it drives men at war to act as they do was brilliantly executed. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It may be situated in a war but it is a study of interpersonal relationships first and foremost.
List Price $24.95 Your price: $12.95
Used - Hardcover
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9
The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)
by Suzanne Collins Customer Comment from dragondazd
I picked up this book thinking it would be a light read....I was surprised to find that the story was solid, the characters were believable, and the situation was very thoughtfully crafted. The best part is how unique the main character is and how vividly you can see her develop. This book is serious and yet so accessible to a wide age range.
List Price $8.99 Your price: $6.50
Used - Trade Paper
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10
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
by David Mitchell Customer Comment from Paige Dollinger
This book had it all. Great plot and character development, interesting historical setting, suspense, romance, you name it....I think The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is the "sleeper" book of 2010. Read it if you haven't already.
List Price $26.00 Your price: $10.95
Used - Hardcover
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While you were casting your Puddly votes, we also asked our coworkers to name the best book they read in 2010. Check out the top 50 picks that won our adoration.
Results were calculated based on the number of votes submitted for a given title, not a specific ISBN (edition, binding, et al.). For example, all the votes for Eat, Pray, Love — be it for the paperback, the hardcover, the audio book, the first edition, and so on — count toward its placement in the final list.
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