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I have continued the best of 2010 thread with this new Title- Best of 2011- as I think it is interesting to compare the favorite books of this past year (not over yet I know :>) - with those read last year- see if there were any trends that continued...or changes, new writers discovered, established writers who continue to impress ect ect... I know that I have enjoyed being introduced to so many fine books written by fellow members, and as Moderator, important for me to remain neutral - but very much look forward to all of your responses!

I had several stand-outs in this year's reading: were the mainstream published ones I loved best. From the indies, I have to give it up for and . My taste is best described as eclectic. :-)

My favorite to date has been The Night Circus.

But, I haven't had a chance to get through
Reamde, 1Q84, or 11/22/63, so my opinion may change before the end of the year.

So far my favourite books of 2011 have been The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø, Brighton Rock by Graham Greene, The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin and Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst.

Hmm So far would be
The Bird Sisters by, Rebecca Rasmussen

Sarah's Keyby Tatiana de Rosnay

Revolution by, Jennifer Donnelly


The Peach Keeperby Sarah Addison Allen

Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by, Michelle Moran

The King's Speechby Mark Logue

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacksby Rebecca Skloot

The True Meaning of Smekdayby, Adam Rex

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

We Have Always Lived in the Castleby, Shirley Jackson

and everything by,Kate Morton

The Help, The Night Circus, The Dovekeepers, Good Omens, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and I'm sure I'll think of some more!

It's been a good year and I have too many favorites:
and on the light side, pretty much anything by M.C. Beaton

In fiction, I liked State of Wonder, The Marriage Plot, The Art of Fielding, and A Discovery of Witches. Nonfiction winners are Cleopatra and In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. Great year for books!

Here are the books I especially ENJOYED (savored) reading this year ---

1) by Elizabeth Jane Howard

The 4th novel in The Cazalet Chronicles series of historical novels set in Britain between 1937 and 1947. I went through some serious withdrawal pangs upon finishing this novel because I was so invested in many of the main characters, as well as the era itself.

2) by Blaine Pardoe

3) by Carole Seymour-Jones

Gave me a thorough understanding of the Jean Paul Sartre-Simone de Beauvoir relationship.

4) by Patrick O'Brian

Have been a fan of the Patrick O'Brian "Aubrey-Maturin" novels since reading my first one in 1994.

5) by Justin Halpern

FUNNY, INSIGHTFUL, and ENTERTAINING. LOL.

6) by Norberto Fuentes

Offers an interesting perspective on the life and motivations of Fidel Castro.

7) by David Nicholls

THE BEST NOVEL I'VE READ IN YEARS. As a '80s college graduate, I totally related to 'Dex' and 'Em'.

8) by Shusaku Endo

Fascinating story of a group of Japanese who sailed on a ship to Nueva España (and later to Europe) as part of a trade mission in the early 17th century.

9) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

I'm a MASSIVE FAN of the Morland Dynasty Series.

10) by Robin Olds

Robin Olds was the real deal. Fantastic, gutsy fighter pilot (World War II ace and Vietnam War veteran).

11) by Esi Edugyan

Shortlisted for this year's Man Booker Prize and the winner of Canada's prestigious Giller Prize.

I read several mentioned here I just didn't like much at all, but I loved In the Woods and The Help and plan on finishing Mudbound, and Sarah's Key yet this year, so could be adding them.

Cold Comfort by Ellis Vidler

KOMET wrote: "Here are the books I especially ENJOYED (savored) reading this year ---

1) by Elizabeth Jane Howard

The 4th novel in The Cazalet Chronicles seri..."

curious KOMET- there are over 30 Moreland books- are they stand alones- or must one read them in order?

Hi Rick,

If you want to see how the Morlands fared over the centuries (the first novel of the series, The Founding, is set in Northern England during the 15th century), it's best to start from the beginning. It's a rewarding journey.

Taken together, the Morland Dynasty Series is a story of one family and its highs and lows through the centuries. You can read any of the novels in the series as stand-alones, if you want. But I would strongly advise you to start from The Founding and enjoy the ride. Smile.

KOMET wrote: "Hi Rick,

If you want to see how the Morlands fared over the centuries (the first novel of the series, The Founding, is set in Northern England during the 15th century), it's best t..."

appreciate that KOMET- seems like a very facinating journey at that!

Kyle wrote: "I've read a few great ones:"

So Kyle- is Jesse as good a writer as his folks?

These are the books I read this year that garnered 4 or 5 stars from me:

The Book Thief
Pride and Prejudice
Revenge of the Spellmanslove Lutz's humor
The Help
The Storyteller's Daughter: A Retelling of "The Arabian Nights"
The Mauritius Command
Villette
The Three Musketeers
Beezus and Ramona for mother/daughter book club
The Once and Future King
Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Treefor mother/daughter book club
Savvyanother for mother/daughter book club
A Conspiracy of Kings

I don't give 4 and 5 stars very easily so the length of this list tells me I've had a pretty good year in reading! :)

Sadie wrote: "These are the books I read this year that garnered 4 or 5 stars from me:

The Book Thief
Pride and Prejudice
Revenge of the Spellmanslove Lutz's humor
..."

I LOVED Beezus and Ramona- read all the Henry Huggins and Romona books when I was young- still love em!!

my top ten so far for the year

and

Kristina wrote: "my top ten so far for the year

[bo..."

so happy you mentioned Exit The Actress- Priya is a wonderful writer and person!

I read this year the best book I have read in a decade: No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod.

My two favourites this year have been The Help and 11/22/63!

Rick wrote: "Sadie wrote: "These are the books I read this year that garnered 4 or 5 stars from me:

The Book Thief
Pride and Prejudice
Revenge of the Spellmanslove Lut..."

I loved all the Ramona books as a child, but Beezus and Ramona became especially good reading now as a mother of 2 young daughters about the ages of the girls.

I read quite a number of great books this year - lots of H.G. Wells, Ira Levin, Agatha Christie and Roald Dahl (all literary greats). So, my top ten in no particular order:

Boy by Roald Dahl

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Seance on a Wet Afternoon by Mark McShane

Veronica's Room: A Melodrama by Ira Levin

When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Of these I most recommend The Invention of Hugo Cabret because it is unique.

Thoroughly enjoyed all the Agatha Christie's I read (and will read more). Also re-read To Kill a Mockingbird and Rosemary's Baby - two absolute favorites.

Water For Elephants, by Sara Gruen.

Wow, what a story. This girl's pen seduced me. So simple. So beguiling. When I completed the final page, I felt lost without all those characters around me, went back to page one and reread the entire novel. So comfortable in those pages.

I rate Sara Gruen with E L Doctorow, Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Paul Gallico ... in that area.

Very much character-driven. The reader falls into this story-telling and can't get out. Not that I wanted to. I wanted the story to go on for ever.

Nice work, Sara.

Rick wrote: "Kristina wrote: "my top ten so far for the year

kristina! i am so happy you enjoyed it! and thank you for the lovely lovely words rick! xx

Priya wrote: "Rick wrote: "Kristina wrote: "my top ten so far for the year

[bo..."

Happy to tout Exit The Actress- wonderful read!!! So impressed at the quality of books written by James Mason member Writers!

10 years I waited to read "American Gods" by Neil G. It was a marvelous tale. All tied for a close second

A. Roma by Saylor
B. Ilium and
C. Olympus by Dan Simmons (I really loved the two, and the characters are fascinating)

Ivan wrote: "I read quite a number of great books this year - lots of H.G. Wells, Ira Levin, Agatha Christie and Roald Dahl (all literary greats). So, my top ten in no particular order:

[bookcover:Boy|11817..."

The Invention of Hugo Cabret was kind of disappointing. I didn't like how it turned out. It got boring and predictable.

I just finished reading Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending, which is definitely one of the most intriguing novels I've read in a long time.... No wonder it won the Man Booker. I particularly liked how Barnes created a sense of time and memory as unreliable - doubling back on themselves in unpredictable ways. My full review can be read at

I would like to add Ashfall by, Mike Mullins to my list!

Here is my list. Mostly YA fiction.

My top reads for 2011 so far: , and . I rarely seem to read books the year they come out, but I really thought these were outstanding and am glad I read them.

adlin wrote: "My top reads for 2011 so far: , and . I rarely seem to read book..."

Those are 3 of my favorites too!

I've read 86 books so far this year & my top 10 are the following

My top five:
All Over But the Shoutin'
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Cutting for Stone Sophie's Choice Matterhorn

The books I enjoyed the most or were a little unusual:

The Help
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
The Writing Class

and including the Fantasy genre

The Inheritance
The Name of the Wind
The Wise Man's Fear

but not for Young Adults

The Last Werewolf

and for my fellow Aussies

Jasper Jones
A Man You Can Bank On
Wildflower Hill

My top reads were , , , , , and .

Here are a few of my top reads for 2011!

Kim Marie wrote: "The books I enjoyed the most or were a little unusual:

The Help
[book:Fried Green Tomato..."

always wondered if the book- Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe was as great as the film- I think it probably is- ?

Best readings 2011, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and The Snowman by Jo Nesbø

Rick, I'm one of those people who rarely go back to read the book when I've enjoyed a movie but I'm glad I did with Fried Green Tomatoes.....it actually helped clarify a question I had about one of the characters and I'd highly recommend it if you loved the movie, as I did.

My favorite, far and away, was The Children's Book by AS Byatt. Second would be Old Filth.

Kim Marie wrote: "Rick, I'm one of those people who rarely go back to read the book when I've enjoyed a movie but I'm glad I did with Fried Green Tomatoes.....it actually helped clarify a question I had about one of..."

appreciate that Kim Marie! will do as I very much loved the film!! So brilliant in so many ways- most vital- Jessica Tandy!

Going to add , the Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews, which I recently finished. Enjoyable read.

Hi,
I have been lurking on goodreads for a bit. Finally got enough time to make up a profile proper.

The real stand out novel to me this year was a book I got as a gift. It's not my typical go to read topic, but the book I enjoyed the most was
Blood in the Skies (The Hellfire Chronicles, #1)
It hooked me by the first chapter and I had a hard time putting it down. I was also pleasantly surprised to find it had some great illustrations. I find myself looking forward for the next book in the series. So I would say this was one of the best novels I read this year. I am certainly happy my niece gave it to me.

Tom wrote: "Hi,
I have been lurking on goodreads for a bit. Finally got enough time to make up a profile proper.

The real stand out novel to me this year was a book I got as a gift. It's not my typical go to ..."

seems like the start of a great series, Tom

My top favourite book this year is:

Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes. It had me on the edge of my seat all the way through and I read it in two sittings.

Other standout books for 2011? Well....

Before I Go To Sleep - SJ Watson
The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson
Left Neglected - Lisa Genova
Do No Harm - Carol Topolski
Black Mamba Boy - Nadifa Mohammed
Even The Dogs - Jon McGregor
Mercy - Jussi Adler-Olsen
When God Was A Rabbit - Sarah Winman
The Redeemer/The Redbreast - Jo Nesbo

My least favourite/disappointing....

Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay
Annabel - Kathleen Winter
Enemy Women - Paulette Giles

and WORST book by far...

The Distant Hours - Kate Morton (badly written, could've been a quarter the size, rubbish)

Maggie wrote: "My top favourite book this year is:

Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes. It had me on the edge of my seat all the way through and I read it in two sittings.

Other standout books for 2011..."

The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson
that is one book I have been thinking of reading since it came out!

It's so great to have a group with such diverse opinions without any bickering about who is right!

As the old saying goes one man's trash is another man's treasure.