I used to be a voracious reader and it was not uncommon for me to read 3-5 books each week. I was on a first name basis with all the staff at my local library. Since starting this blog, I have found that I now read at my computer – lots of blogs and e-magazines; and my love of absorbing myself in a good book has been all but forgotten.
I am now on 6 weeks leave from work and plan to read a lot over the summer break. I have a stack of books from the library to get me started and some book vouchers that I received for Christmas ready to spend. I would love some book suggestions for my summer reading so that I have some new authors to look for.
I have only read a handful of books this year – the most memorable were
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Room by Emma Donoghue;
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See.
What were your best reads of 2011? I will compile everyone’s suggestions into a list in case you are looking for some recommendations for your summer reading (or winter reading for those of you in the northern hemisphere!).
Happy Reading!
I always read a bunch over the holidays too! I feel like I never have time during the working week and look forward to sitting down with a few good books in summer 🙂
A great new author has appeared at Amazon – CJ Ballantyne “The Crystal Realm – Krytor’s Return”. This is an epic urban fantasy for those who like to get their teeth into something. It is fantasy … but not too fantasy, if you know what I mean. I cant wait for the next book in the Crystal Realm to come out. You will enjoy this one!!
I look forward to the list as I got a Kindle for Xmas and am looking to load some good reads…The Help was my favorite this year other than my favorite author Jodi Piccoult.
I’ve just been trolling Amazon and also thought of asking for recommendations. My reasons for less reading are the same as yours. However, I did finish reading The Help just days ago and loved it. Looking forward to your reading list for 2012. My first book for the new year will be to read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest and I will read The Book Thief–it’s been getting dusty on my bookshelf.
Some of my favorites — Sarah’s Key, Prodigal Summer, Madonnas of Leningrad, The Winter Garden, My Sister’s Keeper, Bel Canto.
Merry Christmas Lisa & Sarah, last christmas i came across an authour named Vince Flynn and then i bought all of his books and have currently ordered one he is still writing. I like spy books and crime fiction and am always after new authors so i will love to see the end list.
Happy holidays
xx
I just finished The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser. It was so good that I immediately went back to the library to find her other books. I’ve started her Swan House series and am enjoying that very much, too.
Oh goodness, you need a Nook! I have been downloading SOOOO many free books and gobbling them down with great speed.. several books a day if they aren’t TOO long.. Many are romance titles, and I also read I also read books that are upcoming movies. I saw that The Hunger Games are coming to the theaters, and I read it.. in one day. The next day I downloaded the two books that follow in that series and quickly read those too.. they are fantastic!!
I love reading. I love re-reading too. Anything by Isabel Allende is good. But: My absolute top tip for a book to read: Last night in Twisted River by John Irving. Until I find you (also by the amazing John Irving) is good too….Both writers are way outside of my Fantasy comfortzone but ooooh sooo nice!
I just finished Steve Jobs. Wow, wow, wow!
Oh, lots of great books from these comments to add to my library queue. I read over 40 books this year, and here are my favorites listed in order
Best Fiction
I married you for Happiness by Lily Tuck
Partitions by Amit Majmudar
Sister by Rosamund Lupton
State of Wonder by Anna Patchett
The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
The history of love by Nicole Krauss
Best non-fiction
America Aflame, How the Civil War Created a Nation by David Goldfield
The greater journey by David Mccullough
Emperor of all Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
House of prayer no. 2 by Mark Richard
oh…I loved “Left Neglected”…and am in the middle of “The Distant Hours” by Kate Morton…also liked her “The Forgotten Garden”..
I’m in the same boat with you guys. I love reading but it’s slacked off a bit with all the quilting and blogging. Audiobooks from the library are a great solution in my area of the world. Free books I can download to my ipod or mp3 player and listen while I sew…heavenly!
If you’ve never read anything by Francine Rivers I recommend everything she’s written. Her most recent that I loved is a two-book series, Her Mother’s Hope and Her Daughter’s Dream. Great insights for any woman. The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein, Little Bee by Chris Cleave, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese and of course Earlene Fowler’s latest in the Benni Harper series, State Fair.
Happy reading! I love my library too! I also read “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova, loved “The Help” and “Sarah’s Key” too. I couldn’t get into “The Slap” for reasons I won’t reveal ( Interested in your thoughts!?), and have read other Liane Moriaty and enjoyed her writing! HAve a great time with your summer reading!
I used to be a big reader and actually have a pile of books just waiting for me!! On holidays now for a week so have already enjoyed curling up in bed for an extra half an hour reading.I am really enjoying books by Liz Byrski, a WA author who writes books about women in a contempory way.
Enjoy the reading (and the break!) The one book that I read in 2011 that stands out for me was “The Declaration” by Gemma Malley. I think it is a YA book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt it was very thought provoking.
I just finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen this morning, and absolutely loved it. The Dressmaker by Posie Graham-Evans was good, and I also read all the Twilight books recently and suprisingly enjoyed them. Loved The Help and Room.
Thanks everyone, I think I have some new books to add to my must read list. 🙂
hi i read The World as we Know It by Joseph Monninger its just what it says hearttending love story of friendship nature an surprising twists New Hampshire’s takes place Renee hope you all enjoy it too
Hi di hi
I have read “Help” and “Shanghai Girls”. Both darn good reads. I especially liked “The Help” because I am old enough to remember those times.
Cheers
Linda
This year I have discovered the joy of borrowing books from the library & have read heaps! Mainly biographies/autobiographies. Two I would recomend are ‘The Happiest Refugee” by Ahn Doh & “Be Home by Dark” by Roland Rochochelli (not sure if the title is quite correct, but I know the surname is not spelt correctly!). I hope you enjoy your summer holiday reading.
This year I have discovered the joy of borrowing books from the library & have read heaps! Mainly biographies/autobiographies. Two I would recomend are ‘The Happiest Refugee” by Ahn Doh & “Be Home by Dark” by Roland Rochochelli (not sure if the title is quite correct, but I know the surname is not spelt correctly!). I hope you enjoy your summer holiday reading.
I enjoyed The Help too. Wonder if the movie is any good? I also liked The Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan and When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. The last two are YA books but I really enjoyed them (plus added bonus, the kids can read them after you). Happy reading!
The best book I’ve read is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I highly recommend it.
I’ve finally managed a catch up! Your Christmas table and gingerbread house were all so gorgeous — I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!
My reading has been all but non-existent this past year — can’t keep up! Like you, too much time with the computer. I’ve had Wolf Hall on my nightstand forever — must get to it. Have fun with your list!
I wish I could help. I am just starting to read the Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk. I will let you know if it’s worth reading when I finish it.
Relatively recently I discovered “Belinda Alexandra” as an author – I’ve now listened to or read about 5 of her books and thoroughly enjoyed them all, so I recommend giving her a try.