End of the Year

Time for a yearly wrap up post. 2011 seemed to be the year that tried to break me. Or at least drive me crazy. On so many fronts, 2011 was challenging, frustrating, and hard. I am, however, ending the year focused on the good things and good memories of the year. Also, taking with me into the future, what worked and didn't work this year. I think sometimes we just have to let go of our expectations and accept what life throws at us.

With that said, my reading sucked this year. My normal yearly goal is 100 books. Fairly easy for me to accomplish, usually. I read about 2 books a week, roughly, so I make 100 books with time for a chunkster or those times of no time to read. This year, though, was long patches of not finishing a book or even not reading with slight periods of voracious reading. For some reason, this year, I just didn't get much reading done. It felt like such a chore sometimes to read. I gave myself permission  in November to read whatever and while I have lots I want to read, I don't want to read. Not sure how I want to fill my time, but if I am not reading, then who am I?

I read 82 books this year, probably 83 by the time new years rolls around. The book I am reading right now is intimidating to me for some freaky reason. And so I am not reading like I normally do. However, I do have a list of my 10 favorite reads for 2011. Hopefully some of these will make your to be read list for 2012!

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson is a one-night thriller about an amnesiac who's brain resets every night as she sleeps. A secret diary leads her on a daily discovery of who she is and what her story is, even if she can't remember it the next morning. Watson does a great job with premise and makes it very believable.
 

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs was a roller coaster ride that I really enjoyed. The pictures in this was fantastic, the story believable (even in the face of the unbelievable), and the end a true cliff-hanger. This was just one of the many young adult fantasy/sci-fi books that I enjoyed this year.

Wonder Girl by Don Van Natta Jr was one of those books that I just couldn't stop reading. And you know, golf/basketball/track and field is not my normal reading material. But the story of Babe Didrikson Zaharias was so fascinating. As a girl in her time she was not suppose to do anything but keep house and love her man. But Babe accomplished so much and really paved the way for women athletes to come later. I didn't realize she and her husband were one of the founders of the LPGA. If you can't join 'em, then create your own organization!

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson was right in my wheel house-non fiction, WWII (or just prior too). The story of an American Ambassador to Germany trying to pacify and deal with Hitler and the changes occurring in Germany while having little to no support from the Diplomatic Corp plus a daughter who's cuddling up to every Nazi she can. Really got a feel for Germany and politics that led to WWII. After reading this, I finally got around to watching the miniseries Band of Brothers.

3 Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakauer was a revelation of Greg Mortenson and how he was not doing what he was saying he was doing in regards to raising money and schools in Asia. Now, I haven't read 3 Cups of Tea and I probably won't after reading this to be honest. I don't care to sit through 300 some odd pages and wonder how much is wishful thinking, preplanning that fell through, and outright lies. Krakauer comes across as hurt but on a mission to uncover exactly what's going on with Mortenson's nonprofit organization and takes us along for a ride. The shortest book on this list but one that has really stuck with me.

Witchlanders by Lena Coakley was a real favorite and one I talked up to my co-workers and we twitted about it (which the author retweeted! Awesomeness!). I just really fell into this book and the lives of it's two main characters, Ryder and Falpian and the story set in the winter would make great summer reading when it's 110 in the shade. I really hope there's a sequel but I am interested in whatever Ms Coakley has to write about next.

Time for a confession: We read Hunger Games for book club and I hated it. Absolutely hated it. In fact, I wouldn't have finished it except for the fact that it was book club. Now, the movie has Jennifer Lawrence and I fell in love with her in the movie Winter Bone so I will go see the movie. The next book is Graceling by Kristin Cashore and this book was so much better than Hunger Games and yet it seemed to cover some of the same ground. The story of Katsa so enthralled me I think the book went everywhere I went. Next to the stove, the bathroom, the bed, in front of the TV. This is why I read-to find these fantastically awesome books I fall head over heels in love with and can't stop reading. I didn't get this for Christmas so for my birthday, I want a copy. Oh, and if you haven't read this, go get a copy. You'll thank me later.

Bricklayer by Noah Boyd was one I picked up due to the fact that it has been optioned into a move and Gerald Butler has been attached to star. Mr Butler is rather yummy and I do love a good mystery so I decided to give it a shot before it comes out  (if it ever does). It's a quick read with great characters and it reminded me of Lee Child's Reacher's books in some ways. Although Steve Vail, main character, is more settled with a job and an apartment the Reacher. It felt they both don't care one bit for the bureaucracies they left but occasionally get pulled into. There are two books out and supposedly a third one finished but unreleased. As Mr Boyd has passed away this year, this series is set at 2-3 books and for mystery fans should be a series you try out.

Sword in Her Hand by Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem and Pat van Beirs and has been translated into the English by John Nieuwenhuizen. This is another book about strong women in times there were not suppose to be strong. Yes, I am seeing a pattern to books I have read this year. This is based on a true story of Marguerite of Flanders but we don't have a lot of details about her life. So the authors filled in and the story is wonderful. Marguerite is strong, willful, and an excellent swords-woman. This is another young adult book that really drew me and kept me turning pages.

Crooked Letter Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin was read in one night. I love Southern writing (and Southern cooking, and movies set in the South) and this one is set in Mississippi with alternating storylines set in present times and the late 70s. Friendship, life, racial relations, and an unsolved missing person all swirl in one story of redemption and friendship. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading it again for book club. 

Did you guys have any spectacular reads this year?