Books Story Of The Decade: Submit Your Nominations (PHOTOS)

The story of the decade (2001- 2010) in books has got to be a whopper. In the last 10 years we've seen blockbuster franchises like Twilight and Harry Potter; intellectual scuffles about the line between fiction and non-fiction, and the domination of bestseller lists by conservative authors like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck.

In wrapping up the decade we want to know what you think is the stor of the decade. Tweet it at #storyofthedecade, vote in the slideshow below, or submit your own by clicking the "participate" button below.

 

What's the story of the decade in your view?

Story Of The Decade

Submit your photo and caption and if it's appropriate it'll be added it to the slideshow.

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Harry Potter, JK Rowling

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The decade was dominated by these books on the bestseller lists and as blockbusters in the movie theaters. Some say they got kids, and adults, reading again.

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The decade was dominated by these books on the bestseller lists and as blockbusters in the movie theaters. Some say they got kids, and adults, reading again.

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[garyd63]

12:23 AM on 12/13/2010

Our Fahrenheit 451 Self-immolation Trick--The Story No One Wanted to Read

“Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America” is the title of a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) report issued July 2004. Among the conclusions in the report: “‘Reading at Risk’ is testimony that a cultural heritage is disappearing, especially among younger people [18-24].” Another finding: “The percentage of U. S. adults reading literature dropped from 56.4 percent in 1982 to 46.7 percent in 2002 . . . . ” “Reading is Routed” would better fit the significance of what is smothered in this report.

In response, there was an uninspired flurry of commentary, but nothing smelling of serious concern. From a few professional literary critics I read or heard, there was smug tsk, tsking of the “There always have been readers and non-readers and there always will be” variety. National Public Radio did a standard five minute summary and commentary.

The television news-entertainment shows did what television news-entertainment shows do, they devoted thirty breathless seconds to the report. Ads for the latest over-the-counter wonder drugs “you should ask your doctor about” followed. Time devoted to the NEA "Risk" report was equal to what it takes to read a haiku poem; time allotted to the commercial was what it takes to read (though not comprehend or appreciate) a Shakespeare sonnet.

Go here for bad news ignored:
http://www.nea.gov/news/news04/ReadingAtRisk.html

[ruddy24]

10:15 PM on 11/29/2010

stieg larsson's trilogy is probably missing from that list. I wouldn't call them outright "chefs- d'oeuvre" but lisbeth salander is probably of the iconic fictional characters to emerge from this decade. And the death of the author, before the books became successful probably contributed to that. I hope they do a good job on the movies...

[Amy Hertz]

03:34 PM on 11/30/2010

Thanks. We're adding it, but you can too--click the add a slide button above.

[beckola]

04:39 PM on 12/13/2010

ruddy24, I absolutely agree and would have suggested that series of books as well.

Did you see the Swedish-made movie version of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? Pretty darn good. Subtitled, of course.Graphic and disturbing and prolonged abuse scene, however. Though the revenge scene was quite satisfying.

[trekbette]

10:08 PM on 11/29/2010

The best book I've read in years... World War Z by Max Brooks. You could substitute zombies with any threat—terrorism, poverty, disease, racism... and it is still applicable.

[Biff Stiffley]

03:14 PM on 11/30/2010

Agreed. It was fantastic. And to think he's Mel Brooks' son. ;-)

[trekbette]

06:34 PM on 11/30/2010

I saw it in a bookstore in the Humor section. It's like they found out the author's family tree, so decided anything written by him must be funny. World War Z is not funny. It was written from a completely serious point-of-view, treating the subject matter with a sense of importance.

[Elizabeth A Black]

08:06 PM on 11/29/2010

I think a driving force behind the popularity of ebooks and ereaders is romance novels, especially erotic romances. Women eat those books up in droves and they buy Kindle readers like candy. Even if you don't have a Kindle there are multitudes of other ebook formats.

[Edy Williams]

03:47 PM on 11/29/2010

Immortals of the SCREEN! there it shows us Ethel Barrymore,how she did all that,Valentino,.who set a pattern of those Looks! Tom Mix,the cowboy that looks like; rounded up our John Wayne! Jean Harlow,born 1911,3 pages of her, & with Clark Gable, in "Saratoga!" then there is Clark in 1958 with Jean Harlow look a like , our Marilkyn Monroe! Errol Flynn set those good looks with dimples! In "TANGLED" they even call him FLYNN & its 2010.He came from 1909,Robin Hood!,Captain Blood! Now he is back! Animated in 3 D! 600 Photos, by Ray Stuart.

[ROBINB72]

01:22 PM on 11/29/2010

What a most ridiculous thing to put Obama in the list.
I supported Obama to the last day of elections, I even participated in 2 rallies here in L.A. and I was a few yards away from him last time he came to UCLA.
But the blind support that many pledge from him, cult like, is ridiculous, just like the other day when they were in Asia and some here wrote that Michelle Obama is the most beautiful woman in the world no matter what she wears... D@ng!

[machead]

01:15 PM on 11/29/2010

The most important book of 2010......."Cognitive Infiltration" by Dr. David Ray Griffin. All Americans who concerned about their Country, should be reading this book.

[Denise H M]

01:03 PM on 11/29/2010

"The Da Vinci Code" is obviously missing from this list! Some love it, some hate it. However, its tremendous worldwide impact in this decade cannot be denied.

[Amy Hertz]

03:34 PM on 11/30/2010

We're adding it!

[TruthLives]

12:40 PM on 11/29/2010

I think in America you should try reading different authors from around the world to broaden your perspective about other societies if you can find them. American publishers and bookstores (if there are any left beside the big chains) are nervous to take chances with these titles..

[3 magi]

12:36 PM on 11/29/2010

` Shock Doctrine`

[TruthLives]

12:34 PM on 11/29/2010

Just look at the crop of books Americans read and then you might understand better why they have become a nation of dummies... Tell all books seem to hold the most interest... pathetic.

[Craig 212]

12:24 PM on 11/29/2010

Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, is my favorite new author of the decade. I like King himself, but Hill is a much better writer than his father, in my opinion.

And I love my eReader!

[ROBINB72]

01:23 PM on 11/29/2010

maybe you are Joe Hill or work for him???

Co'on tell us the truth!

[trekbette]

10:05 PM on 11/29/2010

Horns and Heart Shaped Box were both fantastic books. I have not read his comic book series Locke and Key, but it is also supposed to be great.

[PanBaccha]

12:10 PM on 11/29/2010

I'd rather hold an actual book than hold an iPad for the simply reason of its pocketbook size and weight, which can be mallable; its aromatic paper, and the familiarity of holding a mental transporter at whim. I would not read such books as "The Hierophant Of 100th Street" by Cullen Dorn any other way. Call me old fashioned. But not too loud as I am deep in reading.

[triplettam]

11:38 AM on 11/29/2010

I don't know. "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" series did pretty good. Not Harry Potter good, but the backstory and death of the author really gave the books a certain mystique.

[Jack Hutchinson]

11:15 AM on 11/29/2010

I am tired of articles bemoaning the demise of Books, newspapers, libraries, etc. It sounds like the moaning about television from the movie business sixty or so years ago. Get over it. E books are here to stay. Learn to embrace this new way of reading. My iPad holds nearly two thousand classics as well as newer novels and non fiction. I like being able to have them with me during the day for quick reading between emails or reading the news. For teaching it is an amazing tool...calling up references fast, quick integration of info during a class, and so many other wonderful tricks. Get over it. They are here for good.

[In NY]

11:21 AM on 11/29/2010

Yea. I agree. iPad books look remarkably good, even books with photos/maps.

Other things I enjoy about eBooks: search function, built-in dictionaries.

[Jack Hutchinson]

11:36 AM on 11/29/2010

The Kindle type devices can be quite good, too, although only B+W images can be a drawback. Some are now using color ink. I got the iPad instead and, although I don't like it as much as my laptop, it is very convenient for hauling to school every day. I've used YouTube to teach nouns ...schoolhouse rock...very effectively. It has many great uses for a classroom teacher. The search and dictionary tools are great!

[TrotskyMemo]

11:32 AM on 11/29/2010

Hey, anything to get people reading again is fine by me, including using new technology. However, staring at a bright screen for hours on end can get a little nauseating. People are embracing the new age, but the old ways still have their unmatchable qualities.

[Edy Williams]

03:56 PM on 11/29/2010

yES,YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. EVEN THE DAILY NEWSPAPER, IT EXERCISES THE MIND! iF ONE ONLY STARES AT A SCREEN THEIR NOT THINKING MUCH. YOU NOTICE PEOPLE HAVE STOPPED LISTENING! YOU HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING TO PEOPLE IT SEEMS NOW AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR IT TO SINK IN. . ""SPELLING" IT OUT.(now.to have them get their brain to activate )Reading helps!..