Faves of 2011, Parts 2 & 3 Combined...
When I started looking through my read books for 2011 thus far to complete the second and third days of my friend Nomes' "sharing the love" awards, I instantly found that I kept picking the same books over and over. What good would it do to tell you AGAIN how much I love some books? (though I have heard that the more times you hear something, the more likely you are to absorb the information) With that in mind, I've sort of combined days 2 and 3 of the challenge and I'll mostly discuss only new books that are showing up on my list that I didn't already mention in my earlier post from part one.
Shirley Marr's Fury has a completely compelling first chapter. The copy on the jacket alludes to the fact that Eliza, the protagonist, is in a police station confessing to a murder. If there was an award for "jacket copy that makes me want to immediately read a book," this one would probably win that as well. Since there isn't, I'll settle for "best first chapter." I couldn't wait to see how it would all unravel.
I am not even finished reading this one and it is a shoo-in for "character I wish I could be best friends with." Leigh has my sense of humor--her reactions are similar to what mine would be and her statements crack me up. I feel like the author and I could be best friends...perhaps I should start stalking her? (Kidding!) Anyway, Leigh is fabulous. And go buy this! I just found the hardback for $6.38 on Amazon when I was linking the picture! (deal of the century...fine, deal of the day:-))
I consider myself a rather astute person. However, I didn't see this ending coming. Though I'd like to think that I did (and even now, I am considering saying that I did) predict how this one would end up...I'm confident that I would be lying. The subject of this one sounds rather dry and, honestly, the book is not a quick read despite its very short length. A student, Anaximander, is taking a 3-part exam and presenting all that she knows about a historical figure in her world. Sounds a bit Dullsville, eh? But it is philosophical, existential, and will have you thinking the entire way through--and I bet you'll be gobsmacked at the ending as well. (Edit: It's only $4.38 on Amazon right now! (6/29/11) Click the photo to go buy it!)
I picked up the first book in the Fever series on the recommendation of two of my Goodreads friends. They get progressively more addicting as the series goes on. I can't explain too much about the scene that begins the fourth installment, Dreamfever, without spoiling part of the overall story arc so let me just say one thing: you'll need a cold shower after reading the first 30 or so pages. Without a doubt, this book wins "steamiest scene."
I won't write about it again, but Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door is the most disturbing book I've read thus far in 2011. That book pretty much reads like scary scene after scary scene, though much of it is gory and horrific in different ways. It disturbs me because of the actual torture that goes on but also because of the psychological undercurrents to every action. It is probably too much for most readers.
Speaking of horror novels, my "favorite title" so far this year has to be Mendal Johnson's Let's Go Play at the Adams'. Yikes. Let me tell you what, you do NOT want to be going to play at the Adams'. Trust me. They are not playing any game that you want to partake in...unless you could be completely nonchalant about your desire to capture and torture your babysitter.
I've had several amazing reading experiences in the past 6 months but, when pressed, I think my favorites were My Most Excellent Year and Cath Crowley's A Little Wanting Song. I was staying at my sister's place in Oregon when I read it and it was absolutely perfect for my mood at the time. I'm not usually the biggest fan of books where music plays a major role but I just ate this one up. It wins the "best reading experience" award.
Nomes was polite enough to call one of her awards "can't believe I waited so long to read this book(!)" I'd probably call it the "kick myself for being so stupid" award. Jellicoe Road is masterful. Melina Marchetta weaves the past and present together in a bout of fantastic storytelling that had me engrossed the entire way through. Shame on me. I loved Saving Francesca, my first MM book...so what took me so long to pick up another one? (thank goodness I did or I would never have gotten to The Piper's Son!)
Uh oh, "embarrassing cover" time. Why are they always romances?! Oh, wait. Anyway, this is the most mortifying one I've read yet this year. However, I've read oodles that are more embarrassing than this. At least they are wearing clothes!
"Cutest couple"? Probably Anna and Etienne in Stephanie Perkins' Anna and the French Kiss. I put this one off for ages because I thought it would be a cheesefest. While it might be lacking some of the deeper tones I like in my YA, it is definitely fun and Anna and Etienne have a lot to do with that. I love their travels all around Paris! Side note: I am so looking forward to Perkins' sophomore effort, Lola and the Boy Next Door. I want an ARC so badly that I thought about buying one on Ebay. I saw one on there go for over $55.00!! Holy hell!
Nomes was polite enough to call one of her awards "can't believe I waited so long to read this book(!)" I'd probably call it the "kick myself for being so stupid" award. Jellicoe Road is masterful. Melina Marchetta weaves the past and present together in a bout of fantastic storytelling that had me engrossed the entire way through. Shame on me. I loved Saving Francesca, my first MM book...so what took me so long to pick up another one? (thank goodness I did or I would never have gotten to The Piper's Son!)
Uh oh, "embarrassing cover" time. Why are they always romances?! Oh, wait. Anyway, this is the most mortifying one I've read yet this year. However, I've read oodles that are more embarrassing than this. At least they are wearing clothes!
"Cutest couple"? Probably Anna and Etienne in Stephanie Perkins' Anna and the French Kiss. I put this one off for ages because I thought it would be a cheesefest. While it might be lacking some of the deeper tones I like in my YA, it is definitely fun and Anna and Etienne have a lot to do with that. I love their travels all around Paris! Side note: I am so looking forward to Perkins' sophomore effort, Lola and the Boy Next Door. I want an ARC so badly that I thought about buying one on Ebay. I saw one on there go for over $55.00!! Holy hell!
My 5 Favorite Covers Thus Far in 2011:
Ahh, lovely covers. And for different reasons! I tend to love covers that are relevant to the story. The first one in the line above is The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith. This cover is fantastic because the kid looks just as creepy as I pictured the protagonist and the glasses are part of the storyline. (It isn't worth it for me to rehash this plot as it is all over the place...and I only just liked it, nothing more) The cover for Cynthia Hand's Unearthly is a fave because it has a silverish tinge overall and it has a lovely feel to it. I like the whimsical script as well. (did I just use the word whimsical? Ugh.) Fury's cover was definitely designed by someone who either read the book or was told details down the the absolute T. It just kills it overall. OSC's War of Gifts is on this list because I can't help but love the pictorial representation of something that I imagine what it looks like all the time! Battle School in the Enderverse! And finally, my love, my precious, The Piper's Son. I was lucky enough to read a copy from Australia so it had this cover and not the COMPLETE RUBBISH that is the US cover. The book feels wonderful--it has a sort of leathery feel to it and it is a larger paperback. (as opposed to the US hardback) This edition ralphs all over the US release and I WILL, mark my words, get my own Aussie copy soon.
So I only ended up giving out about half of the "Faves of 2011" awards but I think I've written enough. (and I'm sure you are thinking the same thing just about now!) Happy reading!
