Sunday, January 1, 2012

Top 10 Reads of 2011

Whew! I'll admit to being a bit stunned that 2011 is already at an end. I feel like it has just flown by. I had a solid year of reading in 2011 and was able to finish 62 books. Almost the exact same number of books as last year which I found to be amusing. 2009 remains as my best year of reading ever (since I started keeping track anyways). It may not be a huge number of books that I finished this year, but I enjoyed most of what I read and I only set aside one book as a DNF. I did a top ten list last year for the first time and have really enjoyed looking back on my favorite reads of the year...so of course I'm going to do it again :) In no particular order, here are my favorites reads from 2011.



Feed by Mira Grant- This one was a no-brainer for me (pun intended..ha ha). I cried at the end of this book....cried. It is my ABSOLUTELY favorite zombie book ever and I enjoyed it so much that I've hesitated to read the second book. Because how can it possibly live up to Feed??

Cold Magic by Kate Elliott- Elliott swept me up in a world filled with mages and magic. And although it was a chunkster I took no notice and was caught up in its' many twists and turns. Another amazing beginning to a trilogy that I'm anxious to continue on with.



Graveminder by Melissa Marr- I've seen some mixed reviews for this one but I absolutely adored it. Marr created a unique world that kept me engrossed throughout and I'm eager for more. And Marr has gone on my auto buy list (along with the rest of these authors of course).

Affinity by Sarah Waters- I've heard bloggers sing Waters' praises for awhile now so I joined in on Andi's readalong this year. I'm now a huge fan as Affinity was filled with some of the things I love best including a creepy prison, a gothic feel, and atmosphere in spades. I've already added another book by Waters to my shelves :)



Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay- I loved this book beyond words!!! Jay has created such a dark and gritty world and the main character fits right in. I opened up this book and instantly didn't want to put it down. I CANNOT wait for the 2nd book to come out in the new year.

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton- This may be cheating a bit as in 2011 I came to realize that Sue Grafton's alphabet mystery series was fast becoming one of my favorites. I love Kinsey's character and find the books to be a breath of fresh air. Love. So far C is for Corpse is my favorite of the series but I would include them all in my top ten if I could :)



Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson- Hands down this was one of the best thrillers that I read all year. I stayed up late into the night to finish it and trust me when I say that I was still thinking about it a week later. I'm looking forward to reading anything/everything the author writes in the future. LOL!

Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep- Spider's Bite is one of those books that languished on my shelf for way too long, and I absolutely loved every single page of it when I finally picked it up. It was such an amazing beginning to this urban fantasy series, and I can't wait to read more about Gin and her adventures!



Phoenix Rising (A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel) by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris- I have a huge love for the steampunk genre and this book was such a treat to read. Two great main characters on a whirlwind adventure....what's not to love??? The 2nd book is supposed to be out in 2012 and I can't wait!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson- Hands down this was my favorite YA read of the year. Johnson created such a great character in Rory, and I loved the atmosphere that was created with the "Rippermania" that was present throughout the story. This was a first in a new series as well and I'll be waiting impatiently for the 2nd book to come out.

So here you have it...my top 10 reads of 2011. This was harder than I thought as there were a lot of other great books that I had to leave off my list. I'm planning on writing up a reading goals post for 2012 this week and to share which (if any) challenges I'm joining. I'm loving reading everyone's anticipated 2012 reads so I might do one of those as well :) I hope that everyone has a wonderful 2012 and here is to looking forward to what it may have in store. Possibilities... :)

13 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you and your family Sam!
    You had a great year of reading for 2011. That cover on Affinity by Sarah Waters is creepy. I want to read that one as well as Feed.
    Thanks for the recommendations.

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  2. Another reminder that I really need to read Affinity. I adored Fingersmith, and yet I still haven't picked up another book by Waters for some unknown, idiotic reason.

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  3. I really am intrigued with Feed and want to start SueG's series. Great list.

    Happy New Year

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  4. Happy New Year :)

    I really liked Cold Magic, sadly Fire was not as good, but good still.

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  5. I love the new design of your blog! Great list, and very nice looking presentation! Happy New Year!

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  6. Going to add Spider's Bite to my Goodreads list! I didn't do a top ten, but have several different favorites posts coming up the next couple of days.

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  7. 62 books is great!! I really enjoyed Before I Go To Sleep. I think I saw somewhere that a movie is being made from the book.

    I have 30 pages left in Affinity! She waited for her all night and then headed to Millbank and no Selina. But I fell asleep before I could finsh the chapter!!!!! ;) Hope to finish it soon.

    Happy new year Samantha! Hope it's a great one for you.

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  8. I don't think I like zombies (never read about one, but I know I don't like vampires and werewolves), however, I want to give Feed a try, I love the cover of Graveminder, haven't read a Waters book yet (boo hoo), you've encouraged me to get to "C" and I really liked Before I Go to Sleep, but it didn't make my Best Reads of 2011.

    Happy New Year, Sam! :)

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  9. Wait a sec. Let me write this down. Stacey Jay-must read. Okay. We are good to go. I really need to give Sarah Waters a try. Always meaning to. Haven't yet. Story of my life. Same with Melissa Marr.

    Great list, by the way!

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  10. I still can't believe i haven't read one single Sarah Waters' book yet! Argh. I have Affinity on my Nook, I'm just going to have to read it! No. Excuses. :)

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  11. So many great choices!! I have a couple of them on my shelves which is a good thing for me. And there are others that I must add to my want list for sure! The covers are darn awesome!!

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  12. I also loved Before I Go to Sleep! I want to get to Feed this year, I think I'll try it on audio. Great list, Samantha!

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  13. Naida- I hope you get the chance to read both of these books...but start with Feed first because I think that you will love it too :)

    Trisha- I enjoyed Affinity enough that I want to read more by her as well. Hopefully in 2012 we can both read more by her!

    Marce- I hope you get the chance to try Grafton's series. I'm loving it myself and just picked up a used copy of D is for Deadbeat. I can't wait to read it!

    Blodeuedd- I'm bummed to hear that Cold Fire wasn't as good...I'm hoping to read it at some point this year.

    Suko- Thanks! I needed a fresh look for my blog :)

    Lisa- I hope that you get a chance to read Spider's Bite..it was one of my favorite urban fantasy reads.

    Trish- I can't to hear what you think of the ending..it actually surprised me. This was my 1st book by this author but it won't be my last!

    Joy- I hope you do get the chance to continue on with Grafton's series. And if you read Feed, let me know what you end up thinking about it :)

    Literary Feline- I hope you enjoy Stacey Jay's book as much as I did! It was filled with awesomeness (is that a word??)!!

    Natalie- I hope you do get the chance to enjoy Affinity! She is an author that I want to read more of in 2012!

    Staci- Covers are my favorite thing sometimes :) I hope that you get the chance to read some of these at some point!

    Heather- You'll have to let me know what you think of Feed if you listen to it. I think that it would be an interesting experience...:)

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