RTW/Blog Circus: Top Five Books of 2011

It's time for another Road Trip Wednesday . . . and another entry in the end of the year blog circus hosted by Sarah Enni. Today's topic asks about my top five favorite books of the year.

I have not read nearly as much this year as in years past. Not published work, at least. In fact, my plan over winter break was and is to catch up on some of the most buzzed about books of the past two years. Eek! Though I did read more than three books this year, I'm going to limit my top five to my top four so that it's representative of the books I liked the very best.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder: A girl out of hope, a mom desperate for a cure and a magical town at the end of a road few can find (with a boy whose own sadness binds him to the town) combine for an emotional and satisfying read.

[image error] If I Stay by Gayle Forman: New to me this year (though not pubbed in '11), this much lauded story is everything I'd heard it would be. Well-written, heart-string-tugging and satisfyingly resolved.

Nothing by Janne Teller: A haunting story from Denmark, this existential tale questions the very nature of happiness and reasons for living. The pacing and escalation of conflict is masterful--and disturbing.

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez: As a violin player, I immediately connected with the main character of this story (though I didn't play anywhere near her level). Music, intense competition and romance with the last person she should have feelings for drives this story.




What were your favorite books of 2011? Check out YA Highway and the rest of the circus participants for more best books of the year.

Sarah Enni
Corrine Jackson
Erin Bowman
Kaitlin Ward
Kate Hart
Kathleen Peacock
Kirsten Hubbard
Kristin Otts 
Lee Bross
Lindsey Roth Culli
Phoebe North
Stephanie Keuhn
Sumayyah Daud
Veronica Roth