The Faves of 2011 Book Awards are hosted by Nomes at Ink Crush.
Day One: The Books
1. Favourite book read in 2011
It's so hard to pick just one book that is my ultimate favourite from the year, but after giving it some thought I'm going to have to go with Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. More than any other book this year, it's the one I've thought about, raved about, wanted to reread and nagged others to read. It's just a lot of fun and puts a smile on my face. Love.
2. Most powerful book.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. This one haunted me for days. Actually, it still kinda haunts me.
3. Brilliantly Funny
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, no contest. It's brilliant, it's funny. 'Nuff said.
4. Best ache-y, heartbreaking, tear-jerker read
I read a few heartbreaking books this year, but I think the one that left me ugly crying the most was Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. It was so sad I felt physically ill.
5. Most beautiful story
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. Beautiful plot, beautiful imagery, beautiful characters, beautiful prose - just all-round beautiful!
6. Delicious rainy-day comfort read
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, for all the reasons I already mentioned.
7. Adrenalin-fuelled, unputdownable award
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Is it cheating if I include the whole trilogy? I can't help it, I read them all so close together it's impossible to separate them. They were definitely hard to put down!
8. The beautiful prose award
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle - his prose is just exquisite.
9. Most atmospheric and vivid setting
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens. The setting of Cambridge Falls is central to the book, and it's mysterious, kinda spooky and definitely atmospheric. Stephens did a wonderful job of building the world, characters and place.
10. I-so-want-to-go-there award
Austenland by Shannon Hale. An adult playground populated by Darcy-esque characters? Yes, please.
11. Most original and imaginative
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Not only is the story really unique, but the way it's told - especially with the integration of authentic, retro photos - is like nothing I've come across before.
12. Best under-appreciated, hidden gem book
The Book of Lies by Mary Horlock. Not a lot of people seem to have read this one, but I thought it was great. I loved the way it was told, with interweaving stories unfolding decades apart.
13. I-had-no-idea-I-would-love-this-so award
It keeps popping up, but I'm going to have to go with Anna and the French Kiss once again. As I mentioned in my review, I took one look at the cover and title and dismissed it as kinda lame. So imagine my surprise when it became my favourite book of the year!
14. Most haunting story
Considering I've already mentioned how much this book haunts me, I'm definitely going to go with Never Let Me Go.
15. Outside my comfort zone, but gosh how I loved it
I avoided If I Stay by Gayle Forman for a long time because I was so afraid it'd make me really, really depressed and uncomfortable. I'm glad I finally picked it up, because it was a beautiful book - heartbreaking, yes, but beautiful.
16. Series that I’m loving
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens - I can't wait for the next book!
17. Always recommending this book award
As you can tell by the frequency with which it's appeared on this list - Anna and the French Kiss!
18. Completely awesome premise award
Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn. I was going to pick one of the dystopian or fantasy books I've read this year, but then I remembered how much I loved the idea of two strangers falling in love via a bookstore and a book of dares. So romantic and fun!
19. Would make the best movie
I sound like a broken record now, but I have to say it again: Anna and the French Kiss.
20. Want to re-read already
Ummm... yeah. Anna.
What were your fave reads of the year?
Anna is definitely a great read & I would have mentioned it in my post but I don't exactly remember when I read it, it was before I was seriously keeping track of my books. Did you read Lola? Just by the summary of Forbidden it seems heartbreaking I can't imagine reading the actual book! If I stay was definitely out of my comfort zone to because I usually read fun books but it was worth it.I was going to buy Dash & Lily the other day but decided against it, maybe I will get it now:D you sure do love Anna I can tell!
ReplyDeleteRacquel @ The Book Barbies
-thank you&come again.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI completely missed this one. : (
ReplyDeleteI like you're collection, and yes, Forbidden. I actually threw up, because as you've said: I felt literally, physically ill because I was so freaking sad and angry and.. Urrgh. (Yes, I'm like those little children who cry so much that they don't breathe enough and then cough and then throw up.. -_-' At least I don't cry often, otherwise people'd think I have an eating disorder..)
Anna and the French Kiss was awesome! I think there were four or five reviews that convinced me to read it (or ratings? I know I checked out a few blogs and as always Goodreads) and there weren't many people who had to say much bad about it. : )
Happy Holidays and in case I won't leave a comment again in the next few days: Happy New Year!
Patricia
@Raquel, I did read Lola, I liked it but didn't go crazy over it like I did with Anna. Forbidden is absolutely heartbreaking, pretty heavy stuff.
ReplyDelete@Patricia - My list is up a little late, so you should still join in if you want to! Wow, that is a strong reaction to Forbidden! Happy holidays to you too!
I've only read The Last Unicorn from that list. Such a beautiful story! I can't say that I enjoyed that short story sequel "Two Hearts" though.
ReplyDeleteAs for myself, my best books this year have been Wesley the Owl and The Night Circus. I plan on blogging my own best of 2011 post soon.
I need to get my hands on Anna and the French Kiss.
ReplyDeleteI adore this post!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know, Forbidden was totally gut-wrenching!! I really enjoyed Anna & the French Kiss too (so much that I asked for my own copy for Christmas, and received it! yay!)
ReplyDelete@Bookish Hobbith - I haven't read 2 Hearts, I want to but don't at the same time for that reason!
ReplyDelete@Alexis - You totally do!
@KThomas - Thanks! It was fun.
@Danya - Yay!
Hi Belle! I loved The Hunger Games trilogy! I can't wait for the movie adaptation of the first book next year! I've heard so much about If I Stay, I hope I'd get a chance to read that next year. And Dash and Lily's sounds very romantic and Anna and the French Kiss too! :D
ReplyDelete@Tin - Hi! I'm so excited for the movie too. If I Stay is great, as is its sequel, Where She Went - I'd definitely recommend reading them together!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to add The Last Unicorn to my TBR!! Great list!!
ReplyDelete♥Melissa
I love Dash and Lily!
ReplyDelete@Melissa - I highly recommend it!
ReplyDelete@Jess - Me too. I thought Lily especially was a great character.