This is an Endless Post about Books
I found this end-of-year reading report meme on birdienl's journal, though apparently it originated at blog The Perpetual Page-Turner.
So with the thanks out of the way, I shall dive into this fun overview of my 2011 reading experiences! *grabs book notebook*
General:
Best books you read in 2011?
The Shield Ring, Rosemary Sutcliff
The Twin's Daughter, Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Birthmarked, Caragh M. O'Brien
Most disappointing book/Book you wished you loved more than you did?
Prized, Caragh M. O'Brien. It's a lot different from Birthmarked, and mostly in negative ways. Not to be overly spoiling, but the author chose to address some pretty weighty issues which it turns out we disagree on. : (
Also, The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern. Everyone and their literary blog has been raving about this book all year, and the plot summary implies ethereal, magical prose. Maybe the problem is that I read it when I was quite sick. But I found the writing not at all as beautiful as I expected, and overall it has a very morbid, sad feeling.
Most surprising (in a good way) book of the year?
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee. At a tender age (12?), I was first exposed to this book while reading through a book catalog. It sounded boring and depressing. After all, it's about the racially-charged trial and execution of an innocent man. However, my NarniaWeb book topic friends all speak so highly of it that I began to doubt my preconceived ideas about it. Then my mom was listening to the audiobook this summer and I overheard excepts. I was convinced to give it a try.
Turns out it's a smart, entertaining story focused not on the mechanics of the judicial system but on a little girl's view of small town life and issues! Who would have guessed. : P
Book you recommended most to others in 2011?
Birthmarked, Caragh M. O'Brien. My F-List and NarniaWeb have heard all about that one.
Best series you discovered in 2011?
Well... Right now I guess it'd have to be the Legend trilogy, Marie Lu. Just like everyone else, I've only read the first book. But it's promising. Judging by first books only, I would have said the Birthmarked trilogy, but Prized dragged down my expectations for the third book.
Favorite new author you discovered this year?
I think I really have to say Patricia McKillip. None of her books made my top favorites list above, but each one has at least amazing quality, even if overall they aren't as good as some others. Her world building is unparalleled.
Best book that was outside your comfort zone/a new genre for you?
84, Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff. This is a bittersweet little non-fiction book of letters spanning thirty years between a spinster in NYC and the proprietors of a bookshop in London. Full of book talk and literary jokes (most of which were a bit over my head but still a lot of fun to read). Much recommended.
Most thrilling, unputdownable book of 2011?
Deciding this one is pretty simple - I stayed up latest finishing Birthmarked.
: P
Book you most anticipated this year?
Prized, followed by Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld.
Details:
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
*Considers* That would be:
Most memorable character?
Hmm. I'd say the guard Kretzsky in Between Shades of Gray (Ruta Sepetys). He starts out as a bad guy, but he's a very complex character and does some good things in the end.
Most beautifully written book in 2011?
Semi-minor content issues aside, The Alphabet of Thorn - Patricia McKillip. Also, The Shield Ring, by Rosemary Sutcliff. That one gave me such cravings to travel to the English Lake Country! I still haven't gotten over it entirely.
Book that had the greatest impact on you this year?
Between Shades of Gray. It opened my eyes - in the strongest way - to a large swathe of history I'd never heard anything about before.
Book you can't believe you waited till 2011 to finally read?
Leepike Ridge, N.D. Wilson. I should have read that fascinating book when I was twelve to have fully appreciated it. But it's still delightful!
Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2011?
Ugh. Now I wish I had written some down. Think! No, it's too late in the day to think that hard. I'll get back to you with a quotes post, OK?
Book that you read in 2011 and is most likely to be reread in 2012?
I don't often reread, but probably Between Shades of Gray.
Book that had a scene that left you reeling and dying to talk to someone about it?
Birthmarked, the bit at the end where Leon buys Gaia's escape with his own capture. Eep! Very much so. And the non-fiction book Colditz, by Henry Chancellor, was full of hair-raising escape attempts that I kept babbling about to my siblings. : P
Looking Ahead:
One book you didn't read this year that will be your #1 priority in 2012?
Till We Have Faces, by C.S. Lewis - I've been wanting to read this one for a while but have never gotten around to it.
New book you are most anticipating for 2012?
Eh, I'm a interested in the untitled second book of the Legend trilogy. And I will definitely be reading Promised, but I'm not so excited for it as I was. There are no books that I'm truly anticipating for 2012, sadly.
EDIT!: I'd forgotten Princess of the Silver Woods, by Jessica Day George. That I'm looking forward to!
So with the thanks out of the way, I shall dive into this fun overview of my 2011 reading experiences! *grabs book notebook*
General:
Best books you read in 2011?
The Shield Ring, Rosemary Sutcliff
The Twin's Daughter, Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Birthmarked, Caragh M. O'Brien
Most disappointing book/Book you wished you loved more than you did?
Prized, Caragh M. O'Brien. It's a lot different from Birthmarked, and mostly in negative ways. Not to be overly spoiling, but the author chose to address some pretty weighty issues which it turns out we disagree on. : (
Also, The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern. Everyone and their literary blog has been raving about this book all year, and the plot summary implies ethereal, magical prose. Maybe the problem is that I read it when I was quite sick. But I found the writing not at all as beautiful as I expected, and overall it has a very morbid, sad feeling.
Most surprising (in a good way) book of the year?
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee. At a tender age (12?), I was first exposed to this book while reading through a book catalog. It sounded boring and depressing. After all, it's about the racially-charged trial and execution of an innocent man. However, my NarniaWeb book topic friends all speak so highly of it that I began to doubt my preconceived ideas about it. Then my mom was listening to the audiobook this summer and I overheard excepts. I was convinced to give it a try.
Turns out it's a smart, entertaining story focused not on the mechanics of the judicial system but on a little girl's view of small town life and issues! Who would have guessed. : P
Book you recommended most to others in 2011?
Birthmarked, Caragh M. O'Brien. My F-List and NarniaWeb have heard all about that one.
Best series you discovered in 2011?
Well... Right now I guess it'd have to be the Legend trilogy, Marie Lu. Just like everyone else, I've only read the first book. But it's promising. Judging by first books only, I would have said the Birthmarked trilogy, but Prized dragged down my expectations for the third book.
Favorite new author you discovered this year?
I think I really have to say Patricia McKillip. None of her books made my top favorites list above, but each one has at least amazing quality, even if overall they aren't as good as some others. Her world building is unparalleled.
Best book that was outside your comfort zone/a new genre for you?
84, Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff. This is a bittersweet little non-fiction book of letters spanning thirty years between a spinster in NYC and the proprietors of a bookshop in London. Full of book talk and literary jokes (most of which were a bit over my head but still a lot of fun to read). Much recommended.
Most thrilling, unputdownable book of 2011?
Deciding this one is pretty simple - I stayed up latest finishing Birthmarked.
: P
Book you most anticipated this year?
Prized, followed by Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld.
Details:
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
*Considers* That would be:
Most memorable character?
Hmm. I'd say the guard Kretzsky in Between Shades of Gray (Ruta Sepetys). He starts out as a bad guy, but he's a very complex character and does some good things in the end.
Most beautifully written book in 2011?
Semi-minor content issues aside, The Alphabet of Thorn - Patricia McKillip. Also, The Shield Ring, by Rosemary Sutcliff. That one gave me such cravings to travel to the English Lake Country! I still haven't gotten over it entirely.
Book that had the greatest impact on you this year?
Between Shades of Gray. It opened my eyes - in the strongest way - to a large swathe of history I'd never heard anything about before.
Book you can't believe you waited till 2011 to finally read?
Leepike Ridge, N.D. Wilson. I should have read that fascinating book when I was twelve to have fully appreciated it. But it's still delightful!
Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2011?
Ugh. Now I wish I had written some down. Think! No, it's too late in the day to think that hard. I'll get back to you with a quotes post, OK?
Book that you read in 2011 and is most likely to be reread in 2012?
I don't often reread, but probably Between Shades of Gray.
Book that had a scene that left you reeling and dying to talk to someone about it?
Birthmarked, the bit at the end where Leon buys Gaia's escape with his own capture. Eep! Very much so. And the non-fiction book Colditz, by Henry Chancellor, was full of hair-raising escape attempts that I kept babbling about to my siblings. : P
Looking Ahead:
One book you didn't read this year that will be your #1 priority in 2012?
Till We Have Faces, by C.S. Lewis - I've been wanting to read this one for a while but have never gotten around to it.
New book you are most anticipating for 2012?
Eh, I'm a interested in the untitled second book of the Legend trilogy. And I will definitely be reading Promised, but I'm not so excited for it as I was. There are no books that I'm truly anticipating for 2012, sadly.
EDIT!: I'd forgotten Princess of the Silver Woods, by Jessica Day George. That I'm looking forward to!