Book Recommendations - Best Books of 2010

GiftLit announces our choices of the Best Books of 2010. From beautifully illustrated picture books for young children to exciting fantasies for teens to extraordinary must-read nonfiction titles, these stand out books make terrific holiday gifts.

GiftLit Picks the Best Books of 2010

These engaging fiction books include the poignant novel Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, Great House by Nicole Krauss, a 2010 National Book Award finalist for fiction, and Parrot & Olivier in America by Peter Carey, a must-read for any historical fiction fan. See all our choices of the  best fiction books of 2010.

These outstanding nonfiction books includes the heart-wrenching Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, The Grand Design by world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, and     Just Kids by Patti Smith, 2010 winner of the National Book Award for nonfiction. See all our choices of the  best nonfiction books of 2010.

These beautiful stories have special appeal to women and include Cleopatra: A Life by Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff, Room by Emma Donoghue, a brilliant novel that celebrates the bonds between parent and child, and the hilarious and heartfelt novel Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart. See all our choices of the  best books of 2010 for women.

These fascinating books have particular interest for men and include Matterhorn, the brilliant and unforgettable war epic by Karl Marlantes, the masterful sports biography The Last Boy by Jane Leavy, and The Tiger by John Valliant, an unforgettable true account of the gripping hunt for a man-eating tiger. See all our choices of the  best books of 2010 for men.

These stand out books for teens include the compelling, New York Times bestseller Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, The Cardturner by Newbery-winning author Louis Sacher, and I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, a great gift for any science fiction fan. See all our choices of the  best books of 2010 for teens.

These outstanding books for ages 12 to 14 include Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus, a fast-paced adventure based on a true story, Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson, a great gift for any historical fiction fan, and the mesmerizing novel, A Long Walk to Water from Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park. See all our choices of the best books of 2010 for ages 12 to 14.

These wonderful books for ages 10 to 12 include A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz, a mischievous Grimm-inspired tale, Out of My Mind, a compelling novel from award-winning author Sharon Draper, and the funny and smartly written mystery, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood. See all our choices of the best books of 2010 for ages 10 to 12.

These entertaining chapter books for ages 8 to 10 include the exquisite, adventure story The Night Fairy by Newbery medalist Laura Amy Schlitz, the unique and inspiring graphic-novel Meanwhile by Jason Shiga, and the beautifully written Word After Word After Word from beloved author Patricia MacLachlan. See all our choices of the best books of 2010 for ages 8 to 10.

These beautifully illustrated books for ages 5 to 8 include Art & Max by three-time Caldecott winner David Wiesner, the ingenious poetry collection Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer, and Bink & Gollie by award-winning author Kate DiCamillo, a delightful early reader that celebrates adventure and imagination. See all our choices of the best books of 2010 for ages 5 to 8.

These wonderful picture books for ages 2 to 5 include My Garden, by Kevin Henkes, a read aloud treasure, the stunning Zero by Kathryn Otoshi, ideal for young readers learning about numbers, and the hilarious and imaginative Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton. See all our choices of the best books of 2010 for ages 2 to 5.

www.giftlit.com