My official count for books read this year is 242. That number isn't totally right since I re-read a few favorites and didn't finish some very bad books, but marked them on my Goodreads account as read to keep track of them. Still, I would say that total is pretty on track, meaning I might have a serious addiction to books!
I can't imagine I will ever top this total so I feel like I have to make note of the accomplishment (or sickness, if you want to look at it that way) on the family blog. Most of the books I read were quick YA reads, but I had a few very long ones in there too (longest read: 896 pages). I also read some non-fiction, classics, and popular adult reads as well.
Out of the 242, there were a clear top 10 favorites so here is my list in descending order:
10. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
A totally innocent, sweet, and poignant love story. The characters are young but the message is timeless: A friend who is comfortable with who they are is a rare find.
9. Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
A daughter who has just lost her photographer dad goes searching for answers with a mysterious boy who was once his protégé. Emotions are brutally raw and Summers sucks you in from page one. My original Goodreads review was just one word: wow. My only complaint is the excessive use of the f-word.
8. Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
This is the kind of story that makes you want to get up and cheer at the end. The completely loveable heroine D.J. is good at football and coming-of-age magic ensues. I love this book as much as I hate football. This is the first book of a trilogy; the rest are not as good, but I dare anyone to read this and not want to see what happens with D.J. and Brian.
7. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Marchetta is the queen of Australian YA and this book is my favorite of hers (I have read them all). I have never fallen so much in love with a ragtag group of friends like this ever. Makes being the uncool kids at the fancy private school seem like the coolest thing ever.
6. Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
When I first laughed my way through this completely original story about a horny young teenager with ADD I didn't know if anyone else I knew would like this, let alone read it. It has been an absolute hit with my friends who have given it a chance. It is totally irreverent and offensive while being sincerely heartwarming at the same time.
5. I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
Sweet, funny Bronwen actually has some standards and, when she falls for the ever adorable Jared, her life just gets better and better. This is the book I would write if I could actually write a book.
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty (The Summer Books Trilogy) by Jenny Han
Book 1, total fluff...but good fluff. Bring on book 2 and 3 and welcome to the best love triangle of 2011. These books kept me up late (not difficult), and woke me up early (impossible) to see what would happen next. The only flaws being that Jenny Han has no idea what the word ironic actually means and she didn't write a book 4.
3. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Raw and beautiful, this book is a treasure with a voice so honest it breaks your heart and picks it back up again. I usually skip poems in books, but the ones found here are tremendous and make this story so full and rich. A little bit of scandal here, but I kind of like it.
2. A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley
Another Aussie favorite. I read this the first time too fast because I had to devour it, but the writing is so insanely beautiful that I had to read it again as soon as I got it a month later for my birthday. If I were to make a movie from a book it would be these quiet pages of perfection.
1. Amplified by Tara Kelly
If you have ever wanted to know what it felt like to be a girl in a band, but I mean really totally feel like you are this fictional character who is in a band, this is the book for you. No other book has ever made me forget that I am only me like this one. I was completely sucked in to the highs and lows of this story. Kind of wild, but so worth it.
So there they are! It warms my heart to remember reading each of these books. I enjoyed most of the books I read this year, but these are the standouts. They are all already in my collection and most are out on loan to friends so I can share the love.
I can't imagine I will ever top this total so I feel like I have to make note of the accomplishment (or sickness, if you want to look at it that way) on the family blog. Most of the books I read were quick YA reads, but I had a few very long ones in there too (longest read: 896 pages). I also read some non-fiction, classics, and popular adult reads as well.
Out of the 242, there were a clear top 10 favorites so here is my list in descending order:
10. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
A totally innocent, sweet, and poignant love story. The characters are young but the message is timeless: A friend who is comfortable with who they are is a rare find.
9. Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
A daughter who has just lost her photographer dad goes searching for answers with a mysterious boy who was once his protégé. Emotions are brutally raw and Summers sucks you in from page one. My original Goodreads review was just one word: wow. My only complaint is the excessive use of the f-word.
8. Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
This is the kind of story that makes you want to get up and cheer at the end. The completely loveable heroine D.J. is good at football and coming-of-age magic ensues. I love this book as much as I hate football. This is the first book of a trilogy; the rest are not as good, but I dare anyone to read this and not want to see what happens with D.J. and Brian.
7. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Marchetta is the queen of Australian YA and this book is my favorite of hers (I have read them all). I have never fallen so much in love with a ragtag group of friends like this ever. Makes being the uncool kids at the fancy private school seem like the coolest thing ever.
6. Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
When I first laughed my way through this completely original story about a horny young teenager with ADD I didn't know if anyone else I knew would like this, let alone read it. It has been an absolute hit with my friends who have given it a chance. It is totally irreverent and offensive while being sincerely heartwarming at the same time.
5. I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
Sweet, funny Bronwen actually has some standards and, when she falls for the ever adorable Jared, her life just gets better and better. This is the book I would write if I could actually write a book.
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty (The Summer Books Trilogy) by Jenny Han
Book 1, total fluff...but good fluff. Bring on book 2 and 3 and welcome to the best love triangle of 2011. These books kept me up late (not difficult), and woke me up early (impossible) to see what would happen next. The only flaws being that Jenny Han has no idea what the word ironic actually means and she didn't write a book 4.
3. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Raw and beautiful, this book is a treasure with a voice so honest it breaks your heart and picks it back up again. I usually skip poems in books, but the ones found here are tremendous and make this story so full and rich. A little bit of scandal here, but I kind of like it.
2. A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley
Another Aussie favorite. I read this the first time too fast because I had to devour it, but the writing is so insanely beautiful that I had to read it again as soon as I got it a month later for my birthday. If I were to make a movie from a book it would be these quiet pages of perfection.
1. Amplified by Tara Kelly
If you have ever wanted to know what it felt like to be a girl in a band, but I mean really totally feel like you are this fictional character who is in a band, this is the book for you. No other book has ever made me forget that I am only me like this one. I was completely sucked in to the highs and lows of this story. Kind of wild, but so worth it.
So there they are! It warms my heart to remember reading each of these books. I enjoyed most of the books I read this year, but these are the standouts. They are all already in my collection and most are out on loan to friends so I can share the love.
1 comment:
I was so proud of my 2010 (or 09) goal to read 50 books... I ready 67 and felt like I conquered the world. You, my friend, are far superior and I bow down. I've read a few of these books, too and was happy to see "saving francesca" on the list (loved that one). I read a book yesterday, so we'll see if I can even come close to your total this year.
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