It’s always fun to reflect back on the awesome books I read over the course of a year and think about the ones that really stuck with me. I read a lot of great books this year (84), and it was really hard to narrow it down, (but I’ve always liked to do things my own way) so I decided to do a roundup of the top books and authors (with a separate middle grades category) I read.
This list is based on books I read this year, not
necessarily books that were released in 2011, but any future releases I read will be saved for next year’s list.
I hope you’ll find some inspiration on this list!
Happy New Year and Happy Reading!
(In no particular order) (* indicates a series book)
Best I’ve Read 2011
THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin* (psychological thriller with a paranormal twist & debut)
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor* (urban fantasy & paranormal romance)
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth* (dystopian & debut)
SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi* (dystopian & debut)
RIVAL by Sara Bennett Wealer (contemp & debut)
FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB by Antony John (contemp)
SHIP BREAKER by Paolo Bacigalupi (dystopian)
LEGEND by Marie Lu* (dystopian & debut)
HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire* (sci-fi, time-travel, suspense-mystery, romance & debut)
WHERE SHE WENT (sequel to IF I STAY) by Gayle Forman* (contemp)
LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins (contemporary romance)
DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver* (dystopian, romance)
BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray (contemporary, satire, adventure-survival)
FORGOTTEN by Cat Patrick (contemporary romance, mystery, supernatural)
FOREVER* & THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater (I couldn’t possibly choose one Maggie book over the other) (fantasy, supernatural, mythology, romance)
Best Middle Grades Books I’ve Read
THE UNWANTEDS by Lisa McMann* (dystopian, fantasy)
BREADCRUMBS by Anne Ursu (fantasy, fairy tales, friendship)
THE EMERALD ATLAS by John Stephens* (fantasy, science-fiction & debut)
THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA by Tom Angleberger* (contemp, humor & debut)
THE FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander* (contemp, humor, mystery & debut)
Best Authors with Multiple Books I’ve Read
(I would buy and read any books these authors write in the future)
Elizabeth Eulberg
Kiersten White*
Daisy Whitney*
Andrea Cremer*
Maggie Steifvater*
Stephanie Perkins
Lauren Oliver*
Lisa McMann*
Cassandra Clare*
Rick Riordan*
Liked The Fourth Stall, but my middle school boys LOVE it. I'll have to see which of these I've missed– great list!
Great list! I've read a Nine of the books that are on your list, which means I need to take a look at the rest because I totally agree with your choices. 🙂 Happy 2012!
Great list! DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE made a lot of lists, including mine! 🙂
I knew I forgot one! Where She Went should have been on mine too. Great choices.