Top Ten Week: Top 10 Books I’ve Read in 2011

Hi everyone! This is the first day of Top Ten Week hosted by Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books and Rachel from Fiktshun, Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and Lisa from A Life Bound by Books.  The topic for today is Top Ten Books Read in 2011. Personally, I'm having a hard time narrowing down my favorite reads to ten. I've read so many great books this year and some even made it to my all-time-favorite list. Another dilemma is listing them in order. So here it is folks, my top ten fave reads of 2011 in no particular order. 

   

On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marcheta

"My father took one hundred and thirty two minutes to die. 

I counted. "

If those first lines didn't get you to read it, I seriously don't know what will. Here's my Goodreads "review" for OtJR: 'Ever got the feeling when the book is just so incredible you can't put the words you're meant to write for a review? ON THE JELLICOE ROAD is... WOW. I get goosebumps just by thinking of this book. It's been weeks since I finished this and I'm still basking in its awesomeness. If I could give 10 stars to justify my love for this one, I would. It's the first novel by Ms. Marchetta that I read but I could say that I'm a HUGE fan of her already. The first part was confusing but everything went smoothly eventually. I'm planning on rereading this before the school year starts. Seriously, I respect everyone's opinions, but If you didn't like this book, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?' - Even until now, It pretty much summarizes how I feel about this book. Thank goodness for my curiosity with the cover.

   

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

For one year I waited and waited for Clockwork Prince to be released. When I finally got my copy (I went to the book store before attending my classes on December 6th!), I spaced out the whole day in school and started reading it when I got home. I just.. I couldn't even.. it rendered me speechless. It was how I thought it would be and MORE. After reading Clockwork Prince, I realized I loved the Infernal Devices more than The Mortal Instruments series. That is saying a lot since TMI is one of my all-time faves. In my opinion it's the best Cassandra Clare book to date. I just can't wait to read the conclusion to the series!!

    

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Everyone I know who has read this book rave and gush about it... and I AM DEFINITELY NOT AN EXCEPTION. Yes, the capslock was necessary. It has everything I want in a contemporary story: romance, humor, Paris, and a gorgeous, swoon-worthy British guy. It was like Stephanie practically took me to Paris with Anna. I loved every single character and fell in love with Etienne St. Clair. I seldom reread books especially when I just read it the first time, but this, I read it thrice in a week. I'm pretty sure the only reason Lola and the Boy Next Door didn't make it to this list is because I haven't read it.   

   

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This book was at the top of my most anticipated debut novel of 2011 list.  For the nth time, I'm a big Dystopian junkie. Besides that, everything about this book is amazing and so well thought-out. It was so intense and thrilling and action-packed I didn't want it to end. The heroine kicks butt and is very intelligent, just as I like them, and the male lead is amazing. He's tough and intelligent, mysterious, and hot. It's beautifully written and I didn't mind the long read. This is just one of the countless confessions of love for this book and  I swear after you finished reading it(if you haven't), you'll see what the fuss is all about.

    

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky Is Everywhere had me the moment I saw the cover and read the summary on Goodreads. And once I started reading it, I didn't care about anything else in the world. It was heartbreaking, poignant, funny, and very romantic. I was pulled into Lennie's world from the very first page and I can go on and on about how much I love this book the whole day. I really suggest against reading it in public. One moment you're laughing and then blush ridiculously and cry the next. Here's a short teaser:
“Oh, God,’ he whispers, reaching his hand behind my neck and bringing my lips to his. ‘Let’s let the whole fucking world explode this time.’ 
And we do.” 

   

The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness

This is probably cheating but I can't list just one book in the trilogy. They're all too important and valuable to me. Anyway, Patrick Ness created a Dystopian series that will stay in my head forever. Since the The Hunger Games trilogy ended, I've been in search for similar books and I came across this one.  It turned out to be the perfect series I'd been looking for. It blew my mind, especially the last book.  I became emotionally attached to Todd and Voila and I cried a couple of times while reading. Authors get brief mentions in reviews, but that's not the case with Chaos Walking. I'm not surprised to see many reviews giving Patrick Ness a whole paragraph about his writing style and everything. Just brilliance at its finest.

     

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

I'm shaking my head at my old self. How did I ever think indie books can't be awesome?? Reason to Breathe is the kind of book that will rip your heart out, put it back together, and rip it out again. There were times I wish it's a physical book just so I can throw it from so much frustration. Now that sounds negative. NO. I just have to warn you that it's not for the faint of heart and it HAS A SEQUEL. That last part was the most important. The last sentence brought out goosebumps and I'm dying to read the next book.

    

The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima

I waited for a whole year to read this to wait for a paperback copy and now I will have to wait for another for the next. It's this ridiculous thing I always follow: If I bought the first book in paperback, then the rest of the series must be bought in the same format. Okay I know you don't really care, but it seems like I'm in lack of words to describe this book. To put it simply, The Exiled Queen is one of the best fantasy books that ever existed in my opinion. It has everything I could possibly want: magic, war, adventure, lots of surprise, and most importantly, romance. AND, Han Alister is pure awesomeness. 

   

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

I am so glad I read If I Stay just months ago before Where She Went releases. And I thought If I Stay was really good, but WOW, Where She Went surpassed it by a long shot. Reasons why I loved it:

1. The story is told from Adam's perspective.

2. The writing and story is simply stunning.

3. It's set in New York.

4. It has music.

6. ADAM

7. ADAM

8. ADAM

     

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

I know, Another Patrick Ness, but just by thinking what this book did to me, I can't not add this on my list. It's a middle grade book but I think everyone. I mean EVERYONE, regardless of your preferred  genre, ought to have and read this. It taught me a great deal of things, made me cry like I never had in a book before and broke my heart in a healing kind of way. The illustrations were full of raw emotions and I couldn't have picked more perfect masterpieces to capture the story. To see some of them,  visit Jim Kay's website. 

   

It was so hard to list just ten and I read 134 books this year, so here are some more awesome books I loved just as I do the ten above.

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pies and After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick 

Significance Series by Shelley Crane 

Shatter Me by Tehereh Mafi

Half Blood by Jennifer Armentrout 

Die For Me by Amy Plum 

    

How about you? What are your favorite books this year?