books 2011

sometimes I think I don’t take enough time to read, but really, cataloguing the list, that can’t be true. and that is a good thing, since I love books. they’re my favorite. here’s a top 10 of what I read this year, and the rest. book-wise, 2011 was a good year, filled with #goodreads. Heavily themed in post-apocalyptic YA fic (thanks, Katniss). And with several teen-boy protagonists, many of them gay, randomly? (thanks, David Levithan) all of them thoroughly delightful. And (obviously) some vampires/other supernatural awesomeness.

1. The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins ~ was so resistant. but wasn’t it so worth it? yes, yes it was.

2. Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline

3. Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by David Levithan and John Green

4. Once Upon A River, by Bonnie Jo Campbell

5. An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green

6. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares, by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

7. Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness, by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (first and second in series)

8. Matched, by Allie Condie (first in a series)

9. Sisterhood Everlasting, by Ann Brashares (probably belongs higher in the list, but I’m still mad about it. #letsbehonest)

10. It’s Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini

11. (Because there can’t just be 10) Beastly, by Alex Flinn

 

also, in no particular order:

• Divergent, by Veronica Roth (first in a series, def reading the rest)
• Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
• Naomi & Eli’s No-Kiss List, by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
• Evermore, by Alyson Noel (first in a series, will consider the rest)
• Feed, by M.T. Anderson
• Wither, by Lauren DeStefano (first in a series, definitely reading the rest)
• My Name is Memory, by Ann Brashares (better be the first in the series; an across-the-room chucker)
• Boy Meets Boy, by David Levithan
• Awaken, by Katie Kacvinsky (part 1 of a series, will likely read the rest)
• City of Bones, by Clare Cassandra (first in a series, not touching the rest)
• Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See
• Maine, by J. Courtney Sullivan (beautifully written, but a huge narrative disappointment)
• Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (first in a series, not touching the rest)
• House of Night series, by P.C. and Kristin Cast – through book # 8

 

and, my book club books! which I feel belong on their own list:

The Weight of Silence, by Heather Gudenkauf

Second Glance, by Jodi Picoult

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett (rightful place is in the Top 10)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

Pomegranate Soup, by Marsha Mehran

 

finally, the “started but didn’t finish” (various reasons)

Crossed, by Allie Condie (was overdue, will check out again soon)

Girl Meets God, by Lauren F. Winner (timing – extremely picky about non-fic)

Modelland, by Tyra (because it sucked. wait, that’s not fair. because I don’t love campy humor and models mixed together.)

The Future of Us, by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (because it was neither as surprising nor delightful as I wanted it to be. and I really wanted it to be)

The Lover’s Dictionary, by David Levithan (will return, esp after winning endorsement from ChiCath - just wasn’t the right time)

a group of “pretty good, but ultimately too young, even for my usual YA fare:

• Every Soul a Star, by Wendy Mass
• Parrotfish, by Ellen Wittlinger
• Black Sheep, by Yvonne Collins

Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher (saturated in suicidal selfishness)

The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak (because it’s narrated by Death, whose voice is entirely too false-charming)

The Year We Left Home, by Jean Thompson (breach of contract w/ author re: characters)

and one with eggs on the cover, can’t remember the name (because main character insulted Asheville and mountain landscapes in general. we just weren’t going to get along.)