books in 2011
Stole this idea from emmanette :) I read 27 books in 2011 (just like 2010, ugh). I really want to make 30 this year!
Best Books of 2011
1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
At first I found it hard to get into the story, especially because I only read like 10 pages every day, but later it got really interesting, I loved all the interwoven stories and the setting. The characters were really great, too. The writing is amazing, too, his description of Barcelona made me want to go to Spain and learn Spanish!
(I wish I had the version that I posted! The cover is soooo pretty!)
2. The Hitchhiker's Guide #1 and #2
I can't believe I only read it last year! It's just hilarious, the ideas that man has (had)! It's pretty epic. I mean the story isn't really that fantastic, but the writing style is just unique. I think everyone should read this book! And the second one, too. I still need to read the other 3 books in his "triology", haha :D
3. One Day by David Nicholls
I must admit that I really only read this because Jim Sturgess would be in the movie and I always want to read books befor I watch the movie, but I must say I enjoy it SO MUCH! I'm not usually a sucker for romance books, but this isn't just a romance book in my opinion, it's about a friendship that turned into love. But it's about the two people in that friendship, not only about the friendship. I loved the characters, I loved to see how their lives developped and of course I loved how they needed each other even though they were so different. I think pretty much everyone has read this book by now, but if you haven't, please do! I think the movie was pretty well done, too!
4. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I must say that I do not 100% love this book, there are some things I don't like, for example it's long. I think it could've done with 100 pages less or something. But you just have to love the writing style, and Kvothe, the main character. I was quite sad when the book was over, because the story is so unfinished! I need to read the next book.
5. The Painted Man by Peter v. Brett
It's hard to decide if I liked this or The Name of the Wind more, they're also quite similar, both have a young boy as main character who becomes famous. But I think the writing style of The Name of the Wind is better, when the storyline of The Painted Man has a bit more action maybe. I really liked the concept here, demons that attack cities and wards that keep them away. It's also fascinating to see how Arlen, the main character, developped over time and how the other characters (it's told from multiple views) play their role in the story. I'm not sure if I want to read the second book because I heard some spoilers regarding my ship, but on the other hand I also heard it's as good as the first one and I want to know what happens!
Worst Books of 2011
I don't have that many bad books/books I didn't like, so here are three:
In another life by Marc Levy
I don't really know why I keep reading books by Marc Levy, I always think they're cheesy and cliché. He does have some ideas and it's not always obvious what will happen, but still, I just don't like his books. But now let's talk about the actual book, I just couldn't relate to the characters, I couldn't understand their motivation and in the end it was just confusing.
Faller's große Liebe by Thommie Bayer
A german book. About a man who reads books. I have to say I just can't stand it when people talk about modern literature or art or something like that in books, it really annoys me. I guess his writing style was okay, and the story was okay too, but it just wasn't the book for me.
Darum by Daniel Glattauer
I really liked his other books, but during this one I just got really angry at the main character and guess what, in the end it was about a book! The concept was interesting, but the book itself...i don't know.
Resolution for 2012: read more novels!
Best Books of 2011
1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
At first I found it hard to get into the story, especially because I only read like 10 pages every day, but later it got really interesting, I loved all the interwoven stories and the setting. The characters were really great, too. The writing is amazing, too, his description of Barcelona made me want to go to Spain and learn Spanish!
(I wish I had the version that I posted! The cover is soooo pretty!)
2. The Hitchhiker's Guide #1 and #2
I can't believe I only read it last year! It's just hilarious, the ideas that man has (had)! It's pretty epic. I mean the story isn't really that fantastic, but the writing style is just unique. I think everyone should read this book! And the second one, too. I still need to read the other 3 books in his "triology", haha :D
3. One Day by David Nicholls
I must admit that I really only read this because Jim Sturgess would be in the movie and I always want to read books befor I watch the movie, but I must say I enjoy it SO MUCH! I'm not usually a sucker for romance books, but this isn't just a romance book in my opinion, it's about a friendship that turned into love. But it's about the two people in that friendship, not only about the friendship. I loved the characters, I loved to see how their lives developped and of course I loved how they needed each other even though they were so different. I think pretty much everyone has read this book by now, but if you haven't, please do! I think the movie was pretty well done, too!
4. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I must say that I do not 100% love this book, there are some things I don't like, for example it's long. I think it could've done with 100 pages less or something. But you just have to love the writing style, and Kvothe, the main character. I was quite sad when the book was over, because the story is so unfinished! I need to read the next book.
5. The Painted Man by Peter v. Brett
It's hard to decide if I liked this or The Name of the Wind more, they're also quite similar, both have a young boy as main character who becomes famous. But I think the writing style of The Name of the Wind is better, when the storyline of The Painted Man has a bit more action maybe. I really liked the concept here, demons that attack cities and wards that keep them away. It's also fascinating to see how Arlen, the main character, developped over time and how the other characters (it's told from multiple views) play their role in the story. I'm not sure if I want to read the second book because I heard some spoilers regarding my ship, but on the other hand I also heard it's as good as the first one and I want to know what happens!
Worst Books of 2011
I don't have that many bad books/books I didn't like, so here are three:
In another life by Marc Levy
I don't really know why I keep reading books by Marc Levy, I always think they're cheesy and cliché. He does have some ideas and it's not always obvious what will happen, but still, I just don't like his books. But now let's talk about the actual book, I just couldn't relate to the characters, I couldn't understand their motivation and in the end it was just confusing.
Faller's große Liebe by Thommie Bayer
A german book. About a man who reads books. I have to say I just can't stand it when people talk about modern literature or art or something like that in books, it really annoys me. I guess his writing style was okay, and the story was okay too, but it just wasn't the book for me.
Darum by Daniel Glattauer
I really liked his other books, but during this one I just got really angry at the main character and guess what, in the end it was about a book! The concept was interesting, but the book itself...i don't know.
Resolution for 2012: read more novels!