Reading Report and Best Books 2011
Being a fairly type-A person, I have a particular love for organizing and list-making. And being a reader and writer, I have a particular love for brandishing the books that I like at other people and telling them that they should read them right now. And so you get:
Eilis’ Annual Reading Report and Best Books of 2011
I read a total of 103 books in 2011, 27 more than last year. (Which actually makes me feel pretty good, especially because I read all of the Song of Ice and Fire books currently out this year. About 5,000 pages of reading and I only got to mark down 5 books for it.) Here’s a break-down by genre. (And yes, I agonized over some of those genre distinctions. It’s hard, particularly with some of the dystopian novels. Are they science fiction-type dystopias, or are they just taking place in the future with no real science fictional aspects? So this is me going with my gut on that.)
2011
YA Fantasy: 28
Fantasy: 14
YA Dystopian Science Fiction: 10
Science Fiction Mystery: 9
YA Science Fiction: 9
YA Paranormal: 8
Short Fantasy: 5
Nonfiction: 6
Non-Genre Middle Grade: 3
Paranormal: 2
Non-Genre Fiction: 2
Middle Grade Fantasy: 2
YA Dystopian: 2
YA Short Fantasy: 3
YA Total: 65
Non-YA Total: 38
Of these, 18 were re-reads.
Not surprised that YA fantasy is the clear front-runner, and not really surprised by the large winning margin either. I am pleased that there’s more and more YA science fiction to add to the list, something that you just weren’t seeing a few years ago. Of course, a lot of it is “light” sf or strongly dystopian flavored sf, but still, it’s good. (And, honestly, I don’t read that much hard sf of the adult variety anyway, so I doubt I would read it in YA.)
So which of these books were my favorites this year? Here’s the list, though it contains only books that were new to me, and not my “oldies but goodies” re-reads. (Some of them may not have been released in 2011, though, if I got to them a bit late.)
Twilight’s Dawn by Anne Bishop. This collection won’t make sense to anyone who hasn’t already read the other books in Bishop’s Black Jewels world, but for those who have, it is a wonderful, bittersweet wrap-up to the series. (Matt, who is reading this over my shoulder, wants me to add that if you haven't read the Black Jewels books you need to drop whatever you're doing and go get them yesterday. I tend to agree, though probably these are better for adults or older teens. There's some serious darkness in them, particularly in the first three.)
White Cat and Red Glove by Holly Black. The Curse Workers series is addictive—so much so that I made my husband and his parents listen to White Cat on our drive back from Thanksgiving in Colorado. Along the with characters, I just love the world created here (especially after inheriting 7 sets of beauteous gloves from my grandmother). Can’t wait for the final book, Black Heart!
Zombies vs Unicorns, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier. A great collection of short stories debating that eternal question: Are zombies or unicorns more awesome? (Team Unicorn FTW, if you’re wondering.)
Naamah’s Blessing by Jacquelne Carey. This was a great end to Carey’s latest Terre de Ange trilogy. My first love in this world will always be Phedre, but Moirin is a close second.
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. What I liked most about this Jack the Ripper inspired ghost story was the voice. Johnson really nailed the teenage girl voice for Rory, something I’m especially sensitive to. Also this book gave me the worst nightmare, which can only mean it really got into my head.
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal. This book is perfect for Jane Austen fans who also love fantasy—PERFECT! I seriously cannot wait for the sequel, Glamour in Glass.
Liar by Justine Larbalestier. This is a frustrating book to recommend, because I can’t really talk about what makes it so awesome without spoiling what makes it so awesome. What I’ll say is that there are secrets within secrets within lies within truths here, and unraveling them is what makes the book so fun.
Legend by Marie Lu. One of the best dystopian books I’ve read recently. Really, really solid, with characters that you connect with right away and a government that you seriously hate.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Just as you probably have, I had heard tons about this book before I ever opened it. Happily, it lived up to the hype. It’s an odd book, but one that’s delicately done and that makes you want to visit the titular circus so much that it hurts a little.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver. A fun twist on the “you can’t love this person” trope, because in this society, you can’t love anyone. And not just limited to romantic love, either, which I appreciated.
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab. One of the things I liked best about this book is how quiet it is. Nothing blows up or and there's not a huge amount of angsting over anything--which is nice, actually. It's very contained in setting, and that helps make the world feel very real.
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvator. This book was a pleasure to read—a serious pleasure. Quiet, without too many bangs and flashes, it digs into the meanings of family, loyalty, place . . . and, in case that wasn’t enough, it’s full of killer water horses.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. This was one of those books that I let out a howl of anguish when I finished, because I so do not want to have to wait for the sequel. There's a lot going on here—including great worldbuilding in our world and a in a unique created world—and a main character who's spunky, sarcastic, and awesome.
So that's what I loved this year. What were your favorite reads?
Eilis’ Annual Reading Report and Best Books of 2011
I read a total of 103 books in 2011, 27 more than last year. (Which actually makes me feel pretty good, especially because I read all of the Song of Ice and Fire books currently out this year. About 5,000 pages of reading and I only got to mark down 5 books for it.) Here’s a break-down by genre. (And yes, I agonized over some of those genre distinctions. It’s hard, particularly with some of the dystopian novels. Are they science fiction-type dystopias, or are they just taking place in the future with no real science fictional aspects? So this is me going with my gut on that.)
2011
YA Fantasy: 28
Fantasy: 14
YA Dystopian Science Fiction: 10
Science Fiction Mystery: 9
YA Science Fiction: 9
YA Paranormal: 8
Short Fantasy: 5
Nonfiction: 6
Non-Genre Middle Grade: 3
Paranormal: 2
Non-Genre Fiction: 2
Middle Grade Fantasy: 2
YA Dystopian: 2
YA Short Fantasy: 3
YA Total: 65
Non-YA Total: 38
Of these, 18 were re-reads.
Not surprised that YA fantasy is the clear front-runner, and not really surprised by the large winning margin either. I am pleased that there’s more and more YA science fiction to add to the list, something that you just weren’t seeing a few years ago. Of course, a lot of it is “light” sf or strongly dystopian flavored sf, but still, it’s good. (And, honestly, I don’t read that much hard sf of the adult variety anyway, so I doubt I would read it in YA.)
So which of these books were my favorites this year? Here’s the list, though it contains only books that were new to me, and not my “oldies but goodies” re-reads. (Some of them may not have been released in 2011, though, if I got to them a bit late.)
Twilight’s Dawn by Anne Bishop. This collection won’t make sense to anyone who hasn’t already read the other books in Bishop’s Black Jewels world, but for those who have, it is a wonderful, bittersweet wrap-up to the series. (Matt, who is reading this over my shoulder, wants me to add that if you haven't read the Black Jewels books you need to drop whatever you're doing and go get them yesterday. I tend to agree, though probably these are better for adults or older teens. There's some serious darkness in them, particularly in the first three.)
White Cat and Red Glove by Holly Black. The Curse Workers series is addictive—so much so that I made my husband and his parents listen to White Cat on our drive back from Thanksgiving in Colorado. Along the with characters, I just love the world created here (especially after inheriting 7 sets of beauteous gloves from my grandmother). Can’t wait for the final book, Black Heart!
Zombies vs Unicorns, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier. A great collection of short stories debating that eternal question: Are zombies or unicorns more awesome? (Team Unicorn FTW, if you’re wondering.)
Naamah’s Blessing by Jacquelne Carey. This was a great end to Carey’s latest Terre de Ange trilogy. My first love in this world will always be Phedre, but Moirin is a close second.
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. What I liked most about this Jack the Ripper inspired ghost story was the voice. Johnson really nailed the teenage girl voice for Rory, something I’m especially sensitive to. Also this book gave me the worst nightmare, which can only mean it really got into my head.
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal. This book is perfect for Jane Austen fans who also love fantasy—PERFECT! I seriously cannot wait for the sequel, Glamour in Glass.
Liar by Justine Larbalestier. This is a frustrating book to recommend, because I can’t really talk about what makes it so awesome without spoiling what makes it so awesome. What I’ll say is that there are secrets within secrets within lies within truths here, and unraveling them is what makes the book so fun.
Legend by Marie Lu. One of the best dystopian books I’ve read recently. Really, really solid, with characters that you connect with right away and a government that you seriously hate.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Just as you probably have, I had heard tons about this book before I ever opened it. Happily, it lived up to the hype. It’s an odd book, but one that’s delicately done and that makes you want to visit the titular circus so much that it hurts a little.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver. A fun twist on the “you can’t love this person” trope, because in this society, you can’t love anyone. And not just limited to romantic love, either, which I appreciated.
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab. One of the things I liked best about this book is how quiet it is. Nothing blows up or and there's not a huge amount of angsting over anything--which is nice, actually. It's very contained in setting, and that helps make the world feel very real.
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvator. This book was a pleasure to read—a serious pleasure. Quiet, without too many bangs and flashes, it digs into the meanings of family, loyalty, place . . . and, in case that wasn’t enough, it’s full of killer water horses.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. This was one of those books that I let out a howl of anguish when I finished, because I so do not want to have to wait for the sequel. There's a lot going on here—including great worldbuilding in our world and a in a unique created world—and a main character who's spunky, sarcastic, and awesome.
So that's what I loved this year. What were your favorite reads?
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