This list took me a lot longer to create than I thought it would. Picking my top books is like trying to pick who gets on the lifeboats on the Titanic. It's just not easy!
My friend Jackie has a wonderful blog, A Life Tangled with Books and her top 11 of 2011 list inspired me to do my own. A lot of times when I'm reading I think of Jackie because I want her to read the book I'm reading or she was the one who recommended it to me. She is my book buddy and I love that I have her for great reading suggestions.
Let's get on with my Top 11 Books of 2011.
Mind you, these are in no particular order because I couldn't possibly pick only 11 books and then put them in order as to how much I love them.
Pssst...if you click on the pictures of the books it will bring you to their Amazon page.
The Baby Planner by Josie Brown
Katie makes her living by being a "baby consultant" by helping new moms plan their nursery to helping with the latest gadgets, whatever they need she helps them with. Yet her own husband is adamant they don't have any children of their own. This is a fun. light read and I enjoyed every minute of the book.
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
This is one of those books where you just can't put it down until you finish it. I think I read it in less than 24 hours and let me tell you, I was glad I was not home alone. The story is told by the main character Annie who is telling her therapist about the year she was held captive in a remote mountain cabin. This is an amazing story that leaves you guessing and since then I have read Chevy Steven's second book Never Knowing and I'm impatiently waiting for her third.
The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly
This book centers on Lulu and her two sisters who are descendants of Jo March from Little Women. It's neat to imagine Jo March having relatives and I really liked this story. Poor Lulu feels like the failure of her family until she finds letters from Jo March in her mother's attic. It's just one of those heartwarming stories you like to read.
Soulless by Gail Carriger
I read this book in December and before the end of the year I had read all four books in the series. I could not put these books down. They are cross between The Pink Carnation Series by Lauren Willig and the Lady Emily series by Tasha Alexander with a dash of Twilight. Simply amazing. I highly recommend the entire series. The fifth book is coming out in March I believe and I can't freaking wait.
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
I fell in love with Jennifer Weiner's writing way back when her first book "Good in Bed" came out in 2001. I have read all of her books over the years and she is one of those authors who inspires me to write my own book. I just relate to her writing and characters. I have lost count how many times I have read "Little Earthquakes". I read it when it first came out and I bet I read it at least once a year. The story is about three women who are as different as can be from each other who become friends while pregnant. I decided to re-read this book again since I'm pregnant and even though I know what happens I love reading it again and again.
One Day by David Nicholls
I think the description of this book on Amazon is the best way to describe it, this book is a great read and the movie is not even half as good as the book.
"It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day—July 15th—of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself."
The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
Julie Klassen is one of those authors that I eagerly await her next book. I check Amazon, waiting for that day when the release date is posted. (Kristin Hannah, Lauren Willig, Jennifer Weiner, Tasha Alexander and Jodi Picoult are a few that I wait for). I have read all of Klassen's books and I love them all. Mariah Aubrey is banished to an abandoned gatehouse on the edge of relatives property after a scandal and she supports herself by writing novels. Of course a love interest is introduced and not only that but the old gatehouse holds it's own secrets. Very good and if you like historical fiction at all I highly recommend this book and her others.
Angelina's Bachelors by Brian O'Reilly
I'm a big fan of the Food Network and this book is written by a Food Network producer and cookbook author. All through the book there are recipes that were created by his wife. Angelina is the main character of the book and she is suddenly widowed and finds herself without a job. Slowly she starts to support herself by cooking for the bachelors of her close knit South Philly neighborhood. It's a sweet book and worth a read. I found it at Target, I just love finding books at Target. They have a great selection.
The Radleys by Matt Haig
This was another Target find and I'm so glad I picked it up. The Radleys are like any other normal English family except they are vampires and not only that, the parents Peter and Helen have kept the fact that they are vampires hidden from their two children Rowan and Claire. It is smart vampire fiction if you will, more adult than teen. Also, the writer has mentioned that he could see himself writing more about the Radleys and I sincerely hope he does.
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
I think the description on Amazon does this book better justice than I could. It's one of those books that you know is not going to be all sunshine and rainbows but you just can't help reading it anyways.
"Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.
Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk."
Night Road by Kristin Hannah
One of my all time favorite books is written by Kristin Hannah, "Winter Garden" read it if you haven't, trust me. The point is that I always read her books when they come out. Night Road did not disappoint. Three teenagers make a decision that will change their lives and their families lives forever. I love how Kristin Hannah smoothly transitions through the different voices of her characters. It is truly a must read book.
I hope you have enjoyed by Top 11 Books of 2011, I've enjoyed looking over my list of books read and remembering all the great ones .
