Top Ten Books of 2011

My goal was to read 50 new (to me) books in 2011. I have a habit of reading the same books over and over, and wanted to make sure I read some new ones for a change. It was so much fun that I ended up reading 56. Here are my top ten:

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett

I know I came a little late to this party, but this book was amazing. (The movie was good too, but I highly recommend taking the time to read the book.) I loved the different points of view. As always, when I read a book about civil rights, I wonder what I would have done in similar circumstances. Would I have stood by and watched an entire people being persecuted because I was not brave enough to take action? I am happy to say that I related to Skeeter very much, and for the first time I found myself feeling certain that I could have acted as she did.

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand

After I finished this one I wanted to figure out a way to force every single person I know to read it. SO good! I'm not a war buff at all, but this book was incredible, touching, redemptive, and inspiring.

The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood

Given my affinity for the post-apocalyptic dystopian novel, I'm surprised I haven't read this book before now. It did not disappoint in any way.

Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool

This year's Newbery. The committee doesn't always make decisions I agree with, but this is a lovely story. Last year I worked hard to read as many books as I could get a hold of that were on the buzz list, but I missed this one. I was pleased to find that I enjoyed it at least as much as some of the others I'd read.

Rock-Solid Relationships, by Wendy Watson Nelson

An inspiring, potentially life-changing read--if accompanied by a lot of hard work. I finished it feeling optimistic that I can do that work.

The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear, by Walter Moers

Possibly one of the quirkiest books I've ever read. Take Paddington Bear, throw in some Jonathan Swift, Douglas Adams, and Jasper Fforde, and you have a delightfully zany YA novel that will surely please--but only if you really really like those other authors, I think. And I do.

Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater, by Frank Bruni

I stumbled on this one, but I'm glad I did. I was surprised at how much I related to Bruni's food issues and how poignant this story was. It was also hilarious in parts. A really enjoyable book that made me do some reevaluating.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonsen

This was a delightful, sweet, sweet story. I loved every minute of it.

Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick

Wow! Selznick is kind of a genius, I think. Also, it's fun to read a book the size of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in under two hours.

The Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens

My Dickens challenge list is getting very short, so I picked this one up. I've started it several times before and put it right back down again. I've done this with several Dickens novels actually, and they always turn out to be favorites. This was no exception. Dickens' wit and keen perspective are always a blast to read--the fourth or fifth time you try. Kind of like a new, unfamiliar food, I guess.