2011 was a good year for reading. I joined a book club and read a ton of books for that and on my own. It also helps that I have a bit of a commute every day and am able to "read" a lot of books by their audio versions.
I have described on this blog many of the books I've read this year, but as it turns into 2012 I want to emphasize the favorite books I read in 2011:
(In no particular order.)
1. Madame Bovary
There is something so thrilling and scandalous about this book that it was like one of those guilty pleasure harlequin romance novels you can't stop reading, but way better.
2. The Hunger Games Trilogy
By far, this is my favorite series of books EVER. As in, they beat all decades worth of favorite books. I'm going to read them again in 2012 and probably every year following.
3. Water for Elephants
I love period pieces and this depression-era circus tale delivered.
4. The Help
The four women who read this audio version made the story come alive. I was truly touched by this book, and many times it made me cry. I love love love this book. It's up there in the all time favorite books EVER category.
5. The Harry Potter Series
I mean, what can I say about Harry Potter? After more than a decade of his popularity I finally partook in the mania. Once I started with the first one, all thoughts of reading other books went away.
6. Gone with the Wind
Okay, I know I said Hunger Games is the favorite book EVER, EVER. But here's another one for that category. I made it a mission to read this gigantic novel in 35 days or less, and it wasn't difficult to accomplish that. Loved this book.
7. Honolulu
I'm fascinated with historical novels about different cultures. This was a great book.
8. Racing in the Rain
I am not a dog person. In fact, I strongly dislike dogs. That being said, I really liked this book even though it was narrated by a dog and was all about this dogs relationship with his owner! It was very creative and well-told.
9. The Paris Wife
I loved reading about one of my favorite 20th century American authors, Hemingway, and the beginning of his writing career.
10. Mini Shopaholic
Okay, this one is not part of some great literary fame, but the Shopaholic series has definitely been one of my guilty pleasures for the past ten years and I will always love Becky Bloomwood and her antics.
I'm looking forward to what 2012 brings for my reading library. I have a stack of books on my bedside table just itching to be devoured, and I can't wait!
