Redbery Books

From Bev Bauer:

We know when late fall is transitioning to winter. It’s not just the falling temperatures or the shortened daylight hours. It’s when the best of the year lists start. So far this November, I have received numerous “best of the year”: best cookbook, best picture book, and best seller are just a few of the categories. Customers are often willing to share that they just read the best book or someone recommended the best book to them. All of this sent me wondering about what makes a book good and then what makes it the best.  Truth is I couldn’t come with just one way to define thee best book.  So I cheated a bit and just made up my own categories to fit the books of 2010 that I loved. Here are just a few favorites that made my list. Hope it gives you a start with yours. 

Best book for the traveler whether in real time or in an armchair: Book Lust to Go by Nancy Pearl – suggestions to match your destination with your reading list. . 

Best book for giving to a teacher who encouraged you to enjoy books:  How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hill. Life would be great if we all had a Yellow Bird to inspire us.

Best book for celebrating art, science and poetry all in one: Ubiquitous by Joyce Sidman. A gorgeous picture book for all ages.

Best endearing love story: Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simpson. Charming characters.

Best book about creating family: Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann.

Best book for book collectors: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett. A true story of a literary obsession. It could happen.

Book that I didn’t want to end: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.