2011 Reading Summary

I hereby admit that I started this blog mostly because I wanted to write this post. I love end-of-year lists.

# different books read: 115
I didn't make the 100 mark the past two years, which I attribute to reading LES MIS in 2009 and devoting all free time to NaNoWriMo for one month in 2010. This year I was unhindered by any such noble endeavors.

# rereads: 30 (26%)

Favorite new books of 2011:
CHIME by Franny Billingsley
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor
THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater

Runners-up because I can't pick just one favorite book or three:
HOW I LIVE NOW by Meg Rosoff
THE PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOUETTE by Jeanne Birdsall
THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER by Sarah Dessen
FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta
BRIGHTLY WOVEN by Alexandra Bracken
THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae Carson
BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys

Classics reread and muchly enjoyed:
THE SCARLET LETTER by Nathaniel Hawthorne
A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens

Anxiously awaited sequels/next-in-series:
DEMONGLASS by Rachel Hawkins
THE PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOUETTE by Jeanne Birdsall

Books that have begun to educate me about the atrocities of Stalin:
ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell
BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys

Books I like to read at night?
PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL by Jessica Day George
EYES LIKE STARS by Lisa Mantchev
MOON-FLASH by Patricia A. McKillip
THE GIRL WHO CHASED THE MOON by Sarah Addison Allen
KEEPING THE MOON by Sarah Dessen
STARCROSSED by Elizabeth C. Bunce
MOON OVER MANIFEST by Clare Vanderpool

-less is more fun:
SOULLESS by Gail Carriger
CHANGELESS by Gail Carriger
BLAMELESS by Gail Carriger
HEARTLESS by Gail Carriger

Surprises:
HOW I LIVE NOW by Meg Rosoff - If I'd known what happens in this book, I would never have guessed I'd like it so much.
SISTERHOOD EVERLASTING by Ann Brashares - There's a 5th book? Surprise! I cried. Not a surprise.
THE CARD TURNER by Louis Sachar - Who knew bridge could be so interesting?
FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta - Is it really fair that someone who writes such brilliant modern-day novels can also succeed in the fantasy world? Oh, who cares about fairness - I will eagerly read anything she writes.
BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys - I thought the book seemed dry when I flipped through it at the bookstore, but it ended up being one of my favorites of the year.

Books in which fearsome creatures emerge from the sea:
THE CHANGELING SEA by Patricia A. McKillip - Dragon
THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater - Water horses
BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray - Dreamy teen pirates

Books featuring classical musicians:
THE MOCKINGBIRDS by Daisy Whitney - Piano
WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman - Cello

Books set in Regency England that reference Jane Austen and her novels, usually SENSE AND SENSIBILITY:
WRAPPED by Jennifer Bradbury
REGENCY BUCK by Georgette Heyer
A CIVIL CONTRACT by Georgette Heyer
I now feel a need to reread SENSE AND SENSIBILITY.

Books that I remember making me laugh:
MY MOST EXCELLENT YEAR: A NOVEL OF LOVE, MARY POPPINS, AND FENWAY PARK by Steve Kluger
THE WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary Schmidt
BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray
FRIDAY'S CHILD by Georgette Heyer

I hope your reading year was as enjoyable as mine. Happy reading in 2012!