Friday 30 December 2011

MY TOP TEN READS OF 2011!

2011 has been a great year for books! I discovered many amazing authors this year. I read books that had me in splits, caused slow tears to slide down my cheeks and/ made me all starry-eyed. I can't think of even one book that I strongly disliked... But that maybe because I was overly choosy when it came to selecting books to read. Most of the books I read were pretty hyped to begin with!

It all started with Persnickety Snark's Top 100 YA Novels for 2010 that introduced me to a lot of great contemporary YA novels at the beginning of the year! A big thank you to Persnickety Snark for that! By the second half of the year, I started keeping tabs on what I was reading and by the end of November this blog was born!

Anyway, without further ado... *drumroll*

MY TOP TEN READS OF 2011
  • With reference to the books I've read in 2011
  • In order of recall

1. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

One of those books that spans over one night. Such an insightful, colourful, hilarious and meaningful book! I finished this book a couple of days back and it is easily the best book I've read in 2011!

2. The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

I laughed and cried and got sucked into the lives of Tom Mackee and his aunt Georgie. I thought it couldn't get better than Saving Francesca until this book came out. Melina Marchetta's a genius. I feel like rereading this book already.

Best. Book. Ever. From the PG Wodehouse love, Cities, Art and Protest to the guys I fell in love with along with Frankie! Frankie's someone I'd love to have as a BFF!

4. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

"Oh, dead man, you're dead wrong," I tell him. "The world goes on stupid and brutal, but I do not. Can't you see? I do not."

The parallels between modern day Brooklyn and Paris during the French Revolution. The characters, the little signs, the angst and the back stories. I found it so easy to get sucked into this well-researched world of Donnelly's.

5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins

One word- No, three words: ETIENNE ST. CLAIR! That is all, really.

(And Anna. Anna is awesome)

(And (oh, well) PARIS!!)

6. Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

Courtney Summers' best book yet! Totally devoid of cliches. Very sensitive, raw and real.

7. Two Fates by Judy Balan

The unofficial tongue-in-cheek sequel to Chetan Bhagat's Two States. I didn't think I'd love it but I did! It was well written, witty and hilarious!

8. Class by Jane Beaton

The back cover said: "Malory Towers for adults!" I grew up reading Enid Blyton's so that was all I needed to pick it up! And it was so worth it! I've read it twice this year. I felt all warm and fuzzy reading about a boarding school that is built like a castle, lacrosse and the Tricks all over again!  

9. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (#3 of the Hunger Games series)

I LOVED the way the series ended. I think it was one of the best series endings. Though the death of a certain character broke my heart, the rest of it made sense. It was a realistic and bittersweet ending with just enough sweet in the bittersweet!

10. One Day by David Nicholls

Twenty years, two people, ONE DAY.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was so gorgeously written! It is the story of Em and Dex, Dex and Em. I enjoyed the period references, laughed a dozen times, got mildly frustrated with the characters at various points of time and cried buckets towards the end.




8 comments:

  1. Oh I loved One Day too! I've read all three of David Nicholls' books now and they're all great, but One Day is definitely the best. I hope he releases something new soon.

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  2. I haven't read most of these but I'm going to have to check them out - thanks for sharing, they look like great choices!! New follower and fellow nerd fighter!! DFTBA ;)

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  3. I'm an Aussie and I haven't read Graffiti Moon. Or The Piper's Son. I ought to be ASHAMED!! Especially since I actually own a copy of The Piper's Son! (I haven't read Saving Francesca either.... sigh).

    Actually, the only two I've read from your list is Anna and the French Kiss and Mockingjay and they are BOTH in my all time favourite reads list!! Stephanie Perkins writes the best contemp romance EVER. And oh god, St Clair *swoon* And Mockingjay was absolutely incredible. It was a book that received mixed opinions, but like you, I loved how Suzanne ended the series. And man did she make me cry! ;(

    Fantastic list, I so need to check out all the other amazing books you mentioned!

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  4. I'll have to read Graffiti Moon. I have Piper's Son but haven't had a chance to read. Will need to considering I'm an Aussie.

    You can't go wrong with Revolution, Mockingjay and Anna. All three are amazing reads!

    Great picks!

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  5. @Sophia I know, I'm totally waiting on another David Nicholls book! I'm yet to read any of his other books, though. I've totally been meaning to read Starter for 10!

    @Stepping Out of The Page *squeals* Nerdfighteria ftw! And do check those titles out! Your blog is fab. I love the layout! DFTBA :D

    @Brodie OMGWHYYESYOUDO!! You have to read some Marchetta ASAP!! Go read them both now!! And Saving Francesca too! Graffiti Moon, The Piper's Son AND Saving Francesca are at the top of my all-time favourites list!

    Yes, Anna and Mockingjay- both so GOOD. I know, I was a little worried about the mixed reviews Mockingjay received before I read it but I LOVED it. And yes, I cried :,( Thanks for stopping by :D

    @Erin W. Graffiti Moon is amazing! You have to read it :D

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  6. All these books are on my TBR shelf except for Anna and the French Kiss and Mockingjay which I've read already. I really have to read Graffiti Moon, The Disreputable History of Frankie-Landau, and Piper's son. I'm missing out on very good books indeed. Anyway, thanks for stopping by my blog! Happy New Year.

    PS. Is it me or did you change the background of your blog? It looks awesome. I love the color!

    Sarah @ Smitten over Books

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  7. Great picks! I really love half the books on the list so I have a pretty good idea that I will love the other half. I'll be checking them out soon. Thanks for the list :)

    ♥ Trish
    Just a YA Girl

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  8. @Sarah Yeah, Graffiti Moon, The Disreputable History and The Piper's Son are AMAZING! You must check them out :) HAPPY NEW YEAR! Um, it's the same background. But thanks :D I love it too!

    @Trish Yayy do check them out and lemme know what you think :) Happy new year! :D

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HI. Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment. :)