I’ll soon post something more geekish, full of statistics and analysis (the type of post only you, dear bookish friends, will understand and appreciate), so this one is just about the Best of 2011.
I gave five stars to 14 books out of 104, which is pretty good considering past years, but I’m especially happy with their variety. They include:
- Historical novels, non-fiction, classics, young adult, humor, fantasy and sci-fi
- Two were re-reads
- Two non-fiction
- Three audiobooks
- Two under 200 pages, two over 900
- Seven written by men, seven by women
- Three written in the 19th century, five in the 20th and six in the 21th
The top 10 (in no order)
Master and Commander and Post Captain by Patrick O’Brian
I think this is the begining of a beautiful friendship. These books pushed all the right buttons.
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
If you put a gun to my head and force me to chose just one 2011 favorite, I think this would be it.
The Brontës by Juliet Barker (part one and part two)
A great biography, one of the best I’ve read.
Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Amin
Thank you Claire for your review – it made me add it to the wishlist, and thank you Downton Abbey for mentioning it – it made it a priority.
Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
Such a funny book, and about quizzes, how could I not love it?
Rant by Chuck Palahniuk
Hard to describe this one. Mind-blowing and mind-boggling sounds about right.
Race of Scorpions (House of Niccolo 3) by Dorothy Dunnett
I’m only reading one book of this series a year because you only read DD for the first time once. I dread the day they will come to an end, even with re-reads to look forward to.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
IT was even better the second time around. I read it first in my 20s, now I’m in my 30s and see it in a completely different way. I wonder what I’ll make of it in a decade.
Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn
Another great re-read. Close to YA perfection, in my not so humble opinion. My ultimate comfort reading.
The four runner-ups
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by L. Lockhart
Thank you book blogosphere for this recommendation, it was true to all the raving.
Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Wester
A beautiful little book, which surprised me by how modern it felt.
The Coma by Alex Garland
The best audiobook of the year, in great part due to Matthew Macfadyen’s wonderful voice.
The Hare with the Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal
A wonderful way to end the year and one of the reasons I’m naming 2011 The Year When I Truly Discovered Non-Fiction.
The Sleepless Reader 
15 comments
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December 31, 2011 at 1:01 am
Natalie ~ the Coffee and a Book Chick
I’ve not read any of these, so I might need to include some into my reading next year!
Have a safe and Happy New Year!
December 31, 2011 at 1:13 am
Claire (The Captive Reader)
What a great list, Alex! I’m so glad my review encouraged you to try Elizabeth and Her German Garden. It is one of my all-time favourites (as is Vanity Fair) and I’m always excited to share my love of it with other readers. I placed a hold at my library on Summers at Castle Auburn immediately after reading your review and I am finally first it line. I can’t wait to read it!
Have a wonderful New Year and may 2012 be filled with just as many wonderful books as 2011!
December 31, 2011 at 2:57 am
Aarti
Oh, it’s YOUR review here that made me finally pick up Summers at Castle Auburn from my shelf. I knew someone had reread it recently and posted it, and I remembered that I’ve had it on my shelf for years without reading it. I admit I didn’t love it, but I think that’s more to do with my age when I first read it than anything else.
December 31, 2011 at 3:18 am
The Literary Stew
Excellent list! Persuasion made my final list too.
I’m curious about Coma. Just looked it up and apparently there are illustrations by Garland’s father in the book. There doesn’t seem to be a kindle edition.
December 31, 2011 at 9:22 am
Rikki
I haven’t read that specific book by E. von Arnim, but a couple of others and really loved them. Must look this one up.
December 31, 2011 at 10:20 am
Patty
Great source of future books to read! Thanks so much for all this information
December 31, 2011 at 12:10 pm
nymeth
I bought the Brontë biography shortly after you mentioned it and now just need to make time for it. Happy New Year, Alex!
January 1, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Diane@BibliophileBytheSea
Lots of new books there for me! Hope 2012 is a wonderful year for you.
January 3, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Joanna
I’ll definitely be reading Persuasion this year and I’d like to read the David Nicholls too!
January 4, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Melissa
I’m so glad you loved Persuasion. I have never read any of the Patrick O’Brian novels, but I’ve always meant to. Maybe 2012 is the year to start.
January 4, 2012 at 5:53 pm
farmlanebooks
I haven’t read any Patrick O’Brian before, but I think I have a few on my shelves. I’d always been put off by the sea faring aspects, but on your recommendation I might have to give one a try.
January 5, 2012 at 1:28 am
Alex
@Natalie: Of course, they are highly recommended 🙂
@Claire: Thank you once again for flagging that book. It was right up my alley. Plan to read Enchanted April this year.
@Aarti: I often wonder why it works so well for me. Always glad to see that my reviews have an impact in real life!
@The Literary Stew: I heard about the illustrations as well… but I’d still take Matthew Macfadyen’s voice over them 😛
@Rikki: I’m doing it the other way around, then. I’m going to read more by her this year.
@Patty: You’re very welcome 🙂
@nymeth: it’s big, but so worth it!
@Diane: You too Diane! All the best for 2012!
@Joanna: I’ll re-read other Austens as well, probably Emma and Mansfield Park. Looking forward to your views on Persuasion!
@Melissa: Maybe it is 😉
@farmlanebooks: There’s a lot of sea faring stuff there that I don’t half understand myself, but it’s all worth it just for the interactions between the two main characters.
January 6, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Race of Scorpions (The House of Niccolò #3) by Dorothy Dunnett « The Sleepless Reader
[…] There are eight books in the series and I’m reading them at the rate of one per year, to make them last. Race of Scorpions was part of my Top 10 of 2011. […]
January 6, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Shannon (Giraffe Days)
Is that a new Palahniuk book? I didn’t know about that one! I’ve read a few – Invisible Monsters was my favourite.
I had put The Disreputable History… on my wishlist a few years ago when bloggers were first talking about it, but then I read a few negative reviews and so I never bothered getting a copy. But you really liked it? Hmm. Maybe I’ll read it one day after all.
Oh and Matthew Macfadyen does audiobooks? Mmm yum! I haven’t read any Garland since The Beach, which I loved. I really appreciate it when people mention the quality of the audiobook in their reviews. I’ve tried a few and sometimes the narrator annoys me so much I can’t even hear the story.
January 4, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Best of 2012 « The Sleepless Reader
[…] last year and the year before, Dorothy Dunnett and Patrick O’Brian make a mark. These are my most reliable […]