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2011 in review
1. Best Book You Read In 2011
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did
Rupture by Simon Lelic. This wasn’t actually the worst book I read last year, but the one that disappointed me the most as I had read great reviews and I kept on reading to find out what all the fuss was about – I never did find out.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011
Homeless Rats by Ahmed Fagih
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?
Probably still Wolf Totem by Jiang Rong although I didn’t actually read it in 2011. It’s my favoiurite book so I am always recommending it.
5. Best series you discovered in 2011?
Definitely Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles series of books (fab, fab, fab!)
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011
Tess Gerritsen, S J Bolton, Karen Rose, Santa Montefiore
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you
2011 was the year of comfort reading for me and I don’t think I have actually read anything from a genre that was unfamiliar to me.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011
I’ve already mentioned both Tess Gerritsen and S J Boltons books so I will go for S J Watsons’ Before I Go To Sleep – a definite page-turner.
9. Book you most anticipated in 2011
I’ll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark – I always look forward to settling down with a good MHC.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011
I love all the Oxford University Press book covers.
11. Most memorable character in 2011
Either Sarah in Sarah’s Key or Jo in Little Women. I still think about Sarah now and Jo is, well, just Jo.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011
The Snow Child and also The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Bailey
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011
Far to Go by Alison Pick – a time during WW2 that I wasn’t aware of and left a lasting impression on me.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011
Now I’m being really lazy but I can’t remember which books I did and din’t quote from this year without trawling through every single one so I’m passing on this one.
16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012
I’m not sure I’ll re-read them as soon as 2012 but I like to think that I will read The Snow Child and Little Women again some day
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
The Devotion of Suspect X right at the end! I was dying to have someone to go “OMG!” with!
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2011
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2011?
This is a tough one as I have discovered a few new blogs (new to me) this year but if I am only allowed to pick one then I will say Fleur Fisher in Her World. I found her blog through another favourite of mine (She Reads Novels). Jane is the owner of Fleur Fisher in Her World and not only do we have a lot of books in common I have also picked up some recommendations from her reviews. Another bonus is that her dog, Briar, sometimes posts and I always look forward to those 🙂
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2011
Probably The Attack by Yasmina Khadra. I lived in Israel for two years back in the early 90’s so any books about Israel / Palestine have a massive impact on me and I get very passionate about. Despite it being my favourite, I only got 2 comments on this post (it seems others don’t share my interest).
3. Best discussion you had on your blog
I’ve had lots of great discussions on my posts this year but I have chosen Under The Skin by Michael Faber as I really didn’t enjoy this book and I love the fact that different people have different opinions on a book and that’s what reading’s all about.
4. Best moment of book blogging in 2011
Probably when I did my 40 day book challenge in the run up to my 40th birthday – people told me it was like opening an advent calendar window every day 🙂
5. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)
The Top Eleven Best Book Group Reads….EVER! This has won hands down for the second year in a row.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love
Homeless Rats by Ahmed Fagih as it was such a wonderful book.
9. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year
I didn’t opt for any challenges last year (as I haven’t this year either). I did have a list of about 20 books I really wanted to get round to reading but crossed only two off my list (I did tell you that I’m crap at sticking to plans! ;))
Looking Ahead…
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012
Gone With the Wind – I’m reading it with my online book club in March
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012
Being published in 2012: Elly Griffiths’ latest book, A Room Full of Bones, Dead Scared by S J Bolton, Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde, I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?
Just to keep going for another year and see where I am then (and not to feel so pressured to review so much – I do have a life outside of blogging which includes a full-time job…boo!!)
What have been your blogging highlights of 2o11?
The Book Whisperer 
Wow, what a lovely way to review and do a synopsis of your 2011 reads. Loved it! I have to say that I actually loved Rupture, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating and Before I go to Sleep. My other great 2011 read was ‘Sister’ and ‘The Passage.’ There were other ‘greats’ along the way too. It was a great year of reading for me too!
One of my definite reads for 2012 is The Devotion of Suspect X. Looking forward to finding out the ending! I also can’t wait for the release of The Snow Child and have already pre-purchased it from thebookdepository!
Happy New Reading Year!
BryOak x
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“Gone with the Wind” will also be a 2012 read for me. I foresee some very interesting discussions coming! Every female blogger I know seems to love it.
Also, I had no idea Rizzoli & Isles were a series of books. A good friend of mine is in love the TV show, so maybe I should give the books a try.
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Great to see yours Boof, I always look forward to the next MHC also. I really want to try SJ Bolten. I only read The Surgeon but definitely look forward to continuing.
The Secret Garden made my list, so many covers for a lovely book.
Happy New Year Boof
I did this survey also and a top 10 if your interested.
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Dear Boof,
I hope you will enjoy “Gone with the Wind” as much as I did back in the 90’s when I read it in Djibouti, East Africa, basking in the sun and adoring every moment of itIt felt like I was inside it !
I certainly will give a try to” the Snow Child” and “Homeless Rats” as you sound so enthusiastic about these books.
I am no blogger but I have some definite plans for 2012 one of them is reading more victorian authors, as 2011 was also a very “murderous” year for me ;-D
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Great overview, Boof. I wanted to fill out this very questionnaire, but gee, that’s going to take too much of my free time!
You have had a good year with some great books and new discoveries. Hope the coming year is good for you too!
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interesting post…i LOVED the attack…but my book club didn’t…..still can’t find homeless rats here in chicago and i took too many books out out of the library at once and had too many renewals so wolf totem went back.
love your reviews so please don’t let your outside life interfere with your blogging…haha!
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Fantastic post! I need to write a similar one myself! Really inspiring to read about your reading in 2011. Happy 2012!
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lovely round up boof ,all the best for the coming year stu
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Loved your synopsis of 2011! You know that I had a different reaction to Tess Gerritsen than you did, but I am still happy that you found her R&I series so rewarding. There really is nothing better than discovering a new author who has a ton of books you can devour! I hope 2012 proves to be just as rewarding a reading year for you!
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Today I notice there’s a Rizzoli & Isles year-long reading project going on… and now your post. Up until now, I had no idea the TV series was based on books – is the universe trying to tell me something?
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I was still cheering The Snow Child when I was knocked sideways by your kind words. Thank you so much. I’m delighted that we have crossed paths and look forward to following you through another great reading year.
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Well I loved your review of Homeless Rats and I got a copy because of it! Hoping to read it this year. Happy new year, Boof!
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