Faves of 2011: The Books


After seeing Chachic of Chachic's Book Nook and Tina of One More Page participate in Nomes of Inkcrush's The Faves of 2011 Book Awards, I thought I will be a copycat and join them as well.

1. Favourite book read in 2011
I can't pick just one so I'll have to go with The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, and Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta.

2. Most powerful book
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. This book made me realize the weight of words, how it can change the way we think and act, how it can start a revolution, and give and end lives. 

3. Brilliantly funny
The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty had me smiling the whole time, and Dramacon by Svetlana Chamkova which is HaHa funny.

4. Best ache-y, heart-breaking, tear-jerker read
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro because I couldn't believe that that was their purpose in life and I was so rooting for Kath and Tommy wishing that they could at least have had a much more longer time together. And The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak mainly because amidst the harsh environment of Nazism, there was so much love between Liesel, Max, The Hubermanns, and even from all the other neigbors and friends. 

5. Adrenalin-fuelled, unputdownable award
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson so full of suspense and intrigue I just had to know all the whos,whats,whys,and hows. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, my heart was always in my throat reading this one especially since a particular character just won't die! 

6. The beautiful prose award
I love Laurie Halse Anderson's prose in Wintergirls. I stated the following in my review: The depression, the negative self-talk and distorted body perception, the harrowing actions of cutting, purging, and starving. But it wasn't at all as grisly as it may sound because all these were conveyed with words that are like prose. The metaphors used were beautiful but are also very accurate descriptions of the thoughts and actions of a girl suffering from an eating disorder. 

7. I-so-want-to-go-there award
In Feeling Sorry For Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty, Elizabeth Clarry talked about drinking hot chocolate right beside a huge window overlooking the beach, with pale grey sky and white sand, and the ocean moving around lazily, Twix wrappers blowing in the wind. This particular place is in Coffs Harbour, Australia. So ship me there now mate! (sorry I couldn't help myself) 

8. Most haunting story
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Both sent chills down my spine and the story just haunted me for days. I have had moments where I had to just sit quietly and ponder on what I had just read.

9. Outside my comfort zone but gosh how i loved it
Vernon Godlittle by D.B.C. Pierre. Man Booker winners are usually not my thing. There are only but a handful that I've read and liked (less than three). Andrew O'Hagan mentioned on its flyleaf: "You want to know what this terrific book is like? It's like the Osbournes invited the Simpsons round for a root beer, and Don DeLillo dropped by to help them write a new song for Eminem." This statement proves how much this book is out of my comfort zone but I truly loved it for its witty,satirical, and philosophical take on the issues of life in America.

10. Series that I'm loving
This year I don't think I have completed a series. I do have a lot of promising ones left hanging. See previous post. But I am currently loving Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. Although I just started and have only read about 1/4 of Son of Neptune but so far it is way way better than The Percy Jackson series. 

11. Completely awesome premise award
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. The premise of time travelling, cloning, entering pages of literature and meeting literary characters is just pretty awesome. 

12. Would make the best movie
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta, would make a great take-your-barkada-along movie. I would also love to see The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness on the big screen, I bet that would make a pretty exciting and suspenseful movie.

Comments

  1. ChachicDecember 21, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    ARGH, Blogger ate my comment! Boo blogger! Anyway, glad to see some Aussie YA picks in your list (I think Nomes lives in Coffs Harbour, by the way). I hope you get to read more of them next year. I liked Saving Francesca but I loved Jellicoe Road and The Piper's Son. :)

    And I've had my copy of The Book Thief since 2007 but I still haven't read it yet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TinaDecember 21, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    I really, really need to read The Book Thief already. I started it last year but gave up on it because I couldn't concentrate. I'm going to have to start reading thicker books by next year, haha.

    Saving Francesca! I love that book. I hope you get to read Jellicoe Road soon -- that's even more awesome. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. TinDecember 22, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    @Chachic
    Nomes lives in Coffs Harbour?! (Hi Nomes! *wink wink* :D) Jellicoe Road and Piper's Son are both staples on your (and Tina's) faves of 2011 posts, so I'm very very excited to get a hold of them.

    Oh, do read The Book Thief, I have a feeling you'll like Liesel Meminger . :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. TinDecember 22, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    @Tina
    You could have a "thick books" month (or months) next year. Haha! I was also daunted by The Book Thief at first, both by the topic and it's thickness. But I'm glad that I had gotten over them because it's a great read.

    Jellicoe Road is something I really look forward to reading next year! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. BelleDecember 25, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Yay for The Book Thief! That's one of my fave books. Saving Francesca is also great. Never Let Me Go was completely heartbreaking!
    Here's my list: http://bellesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/12/faves-of-2011-book-awards-books.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. TinDecember 27, 2011 at 4:30 AM

    @Belle
    Hi Belle! Looove The Book Thief and Saving Francesca! I only realized now that both are from Australian authors. This year seems to be the Aussie YA year for me.

    I was in a bit of a daze after reading Never Let Me Go. It's one of those books that gives you thoughts that you really have to chew on.

    I will check out your list! :D

    ReplyDelete

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