It's that time again...my personal list of the best books of the year! I read 175 books this year than ranged from DNFs that got me in trouble, to those "A" grade books I wanted to have babies with and others that were enjoyable but weren't that memorable and yet still gave me joy while I read. I had a tough time coming up with my top 20 favorite books this year because I've come to the conclusion that I've become more critical in what I'm reading. It's getting harder for a book to wow me, although there are a few authors I still rely on who send happy chills down my spine and make me want to bow down to them.
Every author I mention in this post has astounded me in one way or another, and I THANK YOU for your imagination and hard work at creating a product and a gift that has given me hours of pleasure and enjoyment. Books are like therapy for me because they keep me grounded and help me ignore the stress in my life. Because of you, the authors I look up to as my role models, your words and characters, have helped me get through the humdrum of the day and look forward tomorrow...because tomorrow there's always another book to read where I can be happy I'm alive.
Without further ado, I give you my favorite books of 2011!
Honorary Mention: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Favorite Contemporary: Keys to the Castle by Donna Ball
Honorary Mention: A lot Like Love by Julie James
Favorite Historical: The Naked King by Sally MacKenzie
Honorary Mention: (Tie) Pleasure Me by Monica Burns and Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt
Favorite Paranormal: Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh
Honorary Mention: (Tie) Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison and Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
Favorite Urban Fantasy: Tangled Webs by Jennifer Estep
Honorary Mention: A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
Favorite Young Adult: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Honorary Mention: A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
Honorary Mention: His Client by Ava March
Favorite Debut Author: Tahereh Mafi
Honorary Mention: (Tie) Thea Harrison and Alma Katsu
Favorite Hero: Dmitri from Archangel's Blade
Honorary Mention: (Tie) Garrick Stratfield from Pleasure Me and Adrian Hawkhurst from The Black Hawk
Favorite Heroine: Captain Yasmeen Corsair from Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook
Honorary Mention: Pia Giovanni from Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
Favorite Villain: Warner from Shatter Me
Honorary Mention: Xander Eckhart from A Lot Like Love (and hopes and prays Julie redeems him so he can be the hero of his own book!)
Favorite Sex Scene: Ares and Cara having upside down tree sex in Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
Honorary Mention: “Charming” Mickey O’Connor and Silence Hollingbrook's first time making love where Mickey offers Silence to use him in Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt
The Top 20:
1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
2. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
3. Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh
4. Pleasure Me by Monica Burns
5. Keys to the Castle by Donna Ball
6. The Naked King by Sally MacKenzie
7. Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt
8. Prisoner of Love by Samantha Kane
9. The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne
10. Unveiled by Courtney Milan
11. A lot Like Love by Julie James
12. Deadline by Mira Grant
13. A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
14. A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran
15. What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long
16. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
17. Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
18. Tangled Webs by Jennifer Estep
19. Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
20. The Taker by Alma Katsu
And a spare... Unlocked by Courtney Milan
There's always one author and their book I end up highlighting in my best of the year post. This year I would like to honor two authors. The first is debut author, Alma Katsu with her book, The Taker. The Taker is a supernatural Gothic type book that is so anti-love, and a true pessimist’s delight because of the message Alma tries to get across with her characters. It was refreshing to read something so different for me because of my obsession with romance novels, The Taker stomps on the HEA and beats it until it's unrecognizable. It's a cruel story that sweeps you away where you'll be dying for the next installment. Pretty rronic for this romance reader.
The second author who set the publishing world on fire and continues to do is Courtney Milan. Every single book I've read by her is so damn good. She astounds me every single time. Historical romance was the first genre that led me on a path where books became important to me, much like the air I breathe. When I think of historical romance, Courtney Milan's name pops into my head. And I don't think I have to point out what an amazing accomplishment she has done with self publishing. Unlocked has one of the best HEA's I ever read in any romance, and with Unlocked, she has raised the bar for so many authors, regardless if they go ahead and self-publish, epublish or traditionally publish. Courtney is not only a master storyteller who makes my heart flutter as a reader, but an icon I look up to in my craft as a writer and author. There's so many authors I aspire to be and Courtney is one of them. The author out of all other authors who owned 2011 is Courtney.
2011 was a year that showed so many changes in the publishing industry. New faces popped up that I can't wait to watch and see what they accomplish for the next year, including old standbys and favorites who I rely on for entertainment.
Goodbye 2011 and hello 2012! I cant wait to see what lies ahead in the book world as I try to read as many books I as I can before the world ends next December ;)
9 comments:
Upside down tree sex? *tries to figure out how that works*
Dmitri and Yasmeen are amazing characters! I am shocked to see that Barrons did not make your list. Shocked. ;)
Great list KB!
I approve of upside down tree sex..LOL
Upside-down tree sex? I saw that over on Twitter just now lol! Looks like I need to take up Ione's books again. *ahem*
Dmitri was pretty awesome in Archangel's Blade, must agree with you there. I'm thinking her vamp heroes might just be more interesting to me all around.
And I still wish I could have gotten into The Night Circus! I need to pass it on to a friend I think might enjoy it.
Impressive list. I haven't read most of those titles, and only 65 books in 2011... Oh well! One of my highlights of 2011 was meeting you! Hope to see you in 2012! Happy New Year! Jen
I wasn't expecting Night Circus to be your number one book for some reason. I saw it on sale but I didn't buy it for some reason. :(
Blodeuedd: At first I thought upside down tree sex couldn't be possible. But Larissa proved me wrong!
Julie: Worst character in the history of worst characters goes to...
Mandi: Great minds think alike ;)
Kmont: Dmitri really surprised me. He's one of the best heroes Nalini has created, that is until she writes Kaleb's book.
Twimom: Loved LOVED meeting you over the summer :) *raises a glass of wine*
Heidenkind: The Night Circus engaged all my emotions and really hit home for me. A tragic tale with romance, deceit and most importantly, magic. I do recommend you give it a read.
Thanks Katie! I've read a few on your list and agree totally. I look forward to reading the remainder.
P.S.- I totally agree about the "worst character" but it looks like only you and I have guts enough to say it.
That is one of the best book review lists I've seen in a while. Thank you for this post, that was very interesting to read it. Now I know what to read next!
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