(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Want to make your own list? Clicking the image will take you to this week’s post. Happy listing!)
I read a lot of books this year, so when I saw this list coming up, I thought I’d be in trouble; how could I pick just a handful? But when I started writing, these 10 just popped right to the top of my mind. Here’s my favorite reads of 2011.
1. Graceling (Kristin Cashore) – I cannot fangirl over this book enough. Great story, one of my favorite characters ever, and other awesomeness. Read it!
2. Packing for Mars (Mary Roach) – Science and hilarity in equal combinations.
3. Poison Study (Maria V. Snyder) – Another kick-ass heroine. Great adventures, twists and turns, and a little romance.
4. The Grand Sophy (Georgette Heyer) – This one had me laughing out loud. That rarely happens to me.
5. Big Red Tequila (Rick Riordan) – Yea, that Rick Riordan. Turns out he writes awesome mystery novels. And they’re set in San Antonio, Texas, a city I know well. It’s cool to read about places that I drive by frequently.
6. Sin in the Second City (Karen Abbott) – Madams, prostitutes, and religious/government nutjobs, oh my! One of the two non-fiction books to make it to the list.
7. The Wee Free Men (Terry Pratchett) – I’m lovin’ the Discworld series, and this story, starring a clever young witch named Tiffany, is my favorite so far.
8. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Lauren Willig) – Every time I try to talk about this book, I devolve into incoherent babbling. If you like tales of swashbuckling and disguises and humor and close calls and…well, just read it.
9. The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss) – My first high fantasy novel in years, and it did not disappoint. So amazing, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.
10. Cinderella Ate My Daughter (Peggy Orenstein) – Loved the author’s sense of humor. Loved her constant questioning of the way she’s raising her daughter, and the messages she’s receiving. Loved every second of it.
What are your favorite reads of 2011? Did any of these make your list?
Packing for Mars is an excellent choice. And I really need to read Sin in the Second City; it’s been on my shelves for quite some time.
I love Mary Roach. I know I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: I would read anything she wrote. Even if it was about brushing her teeth. She’s that good.
Yes, do read Sin in the Second City! It was a great one, really interesting.
I love Graceling as well! And Poison Study is great too. I have the Wee Free Men on my TBR list (has been there for ages!) and received the Name of the Wind this Christmas.
Very good books on your list – I’ll be checking the ones I didn’t know.
Awesome, another Cashore fan! 🙂 You’re my new best friend. You’ll love both Wee Free Men and The Name of the Wind — can’t wait to see your reviews!
All the titles should link to my reviews of the books. I try to give a quick synopsis right at the beginning. Click on through, and I hope you find more to love!
I love Graceling but I read it so long ago I should re-read both it and Fire. I need to read Poison Study, it looks very good and I’ve been meaning to get to it forever. I also have The Name of the Wind on my shelf waiting too. Sigh!
I loved both books, although I connected with Katsa a bit more. Both are worth reading over and over again. Yes, Poison Study! It’s awesome — a great world with a great story and just a touch of romance (but not overboard, like in a lot of YA). Get to reading, girl!
I’ve not read any of these, but every time I come across Cinderella Ate My Daughter, I have to chuckle. Yes, I have a tendancy to chuckle… The Name of the Wind also seems very interesting!
Cinderella Ate My Daughter was great — you should at least borrow a copy from a friend. I love books that make me laugh; life’s serious enough, you know? I loved The Name of the Wind — Rothfuss is an amazing storyteller.
I love Heyer! I’ve read nearly all her books, though not for some years now. I added Cinderella Ate My Daughter to my wishlist after reading your review.
Oh boy, I’ve had Graceling since it came out and still haven’t read it! Shameful. 😉
Your constant praise of Lauren Willig has got me curious. I’m supposed to be on a book buying ban this year but I’ll put her on my wishlist. Happy new year!
I like Heyer’s period novels better than her mysteries — as you might have guessed from my obsession with Willig, I’m a sucker for all things swashbuckling and funny.
Shameful indeed that you haven’t read Graceling — and with the next in the series coming out this year too! I really hope you like it, as well as Cinderella Ate My Daughter. I knew I’d like Orenstein’s book, but I didn’t know I’d love it as much as I did. She’s a great writer.
A book buying ban, I wish I had the fortitude to do that willingly! Money (and space…my kingdom for a bookshelf and a wall to lean it against) is tight, so I’m avoiding buying as much as possible. I’m so glad to have a decent library nearby, and a huge city with lots of libraries not too far away.
Happy new year to you too, Shannon! Looking forward to seeing more of your reviews!
I never read any of her mysteries – I think there were 8? – but I’ve read all her historical stuff except for about 3. I love the period details and the humour, and I don’t even care that she uses stock characters – they’re such great characters!
Which is the first Willig book, or rather, the best one to start with?
Her mysteries are kind of “meh.” Someone told me that they were her “bread and butter” stories (the ones that sold better), so she kept writing them; but the period pieces were her passion. And it shows.
The first in Willig’s series is The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. Fair warning, there’s several descriptive “adult moments” throughout. Nothing totally ridiculous, but I wasn’t expecting it and so thought I’d pass on the warning. They’re amazing books so far. Great storytelling.
Ha ha, fair warning indeed – that actually makes me more interested! Yeah I’m a sucker for “adult moments” – love that turn of phrase, you couldn’t even say it without the air quotes eh! I’ve ordered a copy – there were quite a few to choose from, all with different covers. Looking forward to it! 🙂
It was definitely one of those moments where the story was going along and then got a little risque, and then kept getting more risque, and then I turned the page was like, “Aaaaand they’re doin’ it.” :p
I never know how to refer to scenes like that. I sometimes call it “adult content,” but that can mean a lot of things. Which I guess, so can “adult moments.” We need to coin a term for things like that.
Oh, I so hope you like it! I look forward to your review!