I’m about 50% done with A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, aka. book #52! this year. Since I’m not quite done, I can’t put it on this list. Perhaps it’ll show up on next year’s list.

In the meantime, here’re my Top 10 books read in 2011: (titles link to my reviews or Goodreads)

10. Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk. (Adult fiction, warning: this is about the pr0n industry)

Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk

I read this via audiobook, and I thought it was fantastic. Every time I stepped into my car, I looked forward to the movement of the story and to finding out what happened next. It was outrageous and fascinating to read about his world of p0rn. This was my first Palahniuk book I’d read. ($10.17 on paperback; more expensive on Kindle)

9. Need by Carrie Jones (YA fantasy – present-day, fae)

Need by Carrie Jones

Great concept. I was all for it. Then it went downhill in the next few books. I liked that these fairies were vicious and violent. This fae series didn’t have anything to do with a Midsummer’s Night Dream – yeah! It also had fae “invading” our human space, which I liked. The one thing that grated was the bad southern accent by the reader; I read this on audiobook. ($2.51 on Kindle; $9.99 for paperback)

8. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (Adult historical fiction)

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Excellent. I’m not a big Euro kings/queens fan, and this provided entertainment and some history to Henry, Anne and what’s her face. See? I felt so bad for Mary and all the injustices that were thrown at her. Then you feel sorry for Anne and George too. Gregory fleshes out this history and brings you right into that world of royal craziness. ($10.88 for paperback; more expensive on Kindle)

7. Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce (YA fantasy – medieval, adventure, gods)

Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce

My first book by Tamora Pierce. I know, I know, I’ve been told to start with Alanna, but I found this audiobook at the library first. Well-written, fully-fleshed out world, young protagonist. This isn’t a flighty book. It’s pretty heavy with politics, magic and gods and spans over a year. ($6.99 on Kindle, $8.95 on paperback)

6. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (Adult urban fantasy – present-day, werewolves)

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Recommended to me by my friend and fellow bookworm Nic during a dinner download. So glad I picked this up – it was a refreshing twist in the werewolf genre. There are few packs and a bunch of loners who are “policed” by this pack. Armstrong is ok with killing characters off. I was pleasantly surprised that she didn’t follow “the formula.” ($9.99 on Kindle or paperback)

5. Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells (Adult urban fantasy – present-day, demons, vamps)

Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

One of my favorite books this year, and a great start to a fun series. I enjoyed this book and its characters, especially GG. (Read and find out.) I could see this as a movie series or even a comic book. From the first couple of pages, I was hooked. I can’t spoil it but after I read that first exchange between Sabina and her friend, I thought, “Who DOES this?!!” Jaye Wells, that’s who! (It’s $2.99 on Kindle!)

4. The Agency: A Spy in the House by YS Lee (YA historical, adventure)

A Spy in the House - YS Lee

This is the first book I finished in 2011, and I enjoyed it a lot. I saw a blogger’s post on how the book cover was created, and I was intrigued. Even though I’m not into reading “olden days” books where the women are constrained by societal norms, this was good. The Agency took advantage of these (stupid) norms and created a group of Victorian-era superspies! ($2.99 on Kindle, $7.99 on paperback)

3. Terrier: Beka Cooper #1 by Tamora Pierce (YA fantasy – medieval, adventure, magic)

Terrier (Beka Cooper #1) by Tamora Pierce

So… again, I should really have read the Alanna series to get some context, but seeing that I’d read Trickster’s Choice, I kind of got the gist of Tortall and the world. I liked this book very much and am excited to read the next installment. Beka is brave and smart; her world is kind of bleak. I’m still rooting for her dogs to stay alive throughout the series; hoping that that doesn’t become a plot device. ($8.79 on paperback; Kindle is more expensive)

2. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Adult urban fantasy – present-day, weres, vamps, magic)

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

I love this series. Don’t let the cheesy covers dissuade you. (Read it on Kindle and you won’t have to stare at the covers.) Moon Called kicks off the Mercedes Thompson series. She’s a were, she’s got friends who are not, and she’s not a pushover. Yay! Win win win. The first few books kept my attention and were fun to read. (The latest book, not so much.) I like when the lead characters can fight back (phsyically, verbally…) and aren’t damsels. Obvs. ($7.99 on Kindle or paperback.)

1. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (YA fiction – present-day, paranormal-ish, death)

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

I didn’t think I’d actually cry over another audiobook after Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. But I did. I didn’t think I’d cry over THIS character, who, in the beginning, grated on my nerves and made me want to punch her in the face. The actor who reads this book captures that popular girl/teenager voice – you know: annoying, stuck-up, crazy, full of emotions. I’m not sure how it translates as a regular book, but I highly recommend the audiobook. ($8.99 on Kindle, $9.99 on paperback)

So there you have it. My top 10 books read of 2011. I highly recommend picking these up from your local library before plunking down your hard-earned cash. Money’s too tight for steak.

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