2011 Great Reads

Peeking my head up from rewrites and babies (so many babies!) to end the  year with my annual great reads roundup. This past year was probably the least productive reading year of my life. I just didn't have hands free, evenings free, days free, anything free for books. With my second baby, I listened to a lot of audio books, but I found even that challenging with twins. Two babies require three times the attention (math?). But I was able to read from time to time, and here are some of my outstanding reads.

Middle grade:

Kat, Incorrigible, by Stephanie Burgis

An alternate, magical Regency period (Jane Austen's time), this reads like Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell for middle graders. The UK title is A Most Improper Magick, which I love. Kat starts the book by cutting off her hair and running away dressed as a boy to go save her family's fortunes. She gets as far as the front gate. But adventures still come her way--a mysterious magical legacy, evil suitors, highwaymen, and perhaps most dangerous of all, a house party. 

Palace Beautiful, by Sarah DeFord Williams

Reading this book made me feel 11 again and reminded me of what reading felt like at that age. I don't know how, but she managed to do that just right. A dual story--contemporary children find an old diary kept a century earlier by a girl who used to live in that house around the time of the horrible flu epidemic. Really lovely.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin

Perfect tale of a girl's adventure in a fantastical ancient China. Illustrations are lovely, story is simple and sweet.

Icefall, by Matthew Kirby

Not sure if this is middle grade or teen, but could be either. The narrator, the plain second daughter of a Viking king, spends a winter with her sister, brother, servants and a few warriors iced in a fjord hideaway, hoping to survive both the winter and the war raging out beyond the ice. So much atmosphere, such great characters. Kirby is a wonderful writer.

Princess Academy, by me

Had to reread this one as I was writing the sequel. First time I've ever read one of my own books after publication.

For Teens and up: (note that some of these books have mature content)

Divergent, by Veronica Roth

Many are looking for the successor to The Hunger Games, and many claim Divergent is it. I loved this book. Interesting dystopian future with memorable characters and lots of action. Sequels to come.

Matched, by Ally Condie

Another dystopian world, but less scifi and more romance. A lovely read with lots of great questions. The sequel Crossed is out, not that I've been able to read it. [inside scoop: Ally is even cooler than her books, if that's possible]

Red Glove, by Holly Black

Love Holly. Love her new series. Start with White Cat. Contemporary, urban fantasy, mixing the mob, grafters, and magic. Can't wait for the third.

Daugher of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor

Lush. Here's a book that will please fans of high fantasy, paranormal romance, and just plain good writing. Always a fan of Laini's, this book even exceeds her others. I didn't realize it was the first in a series until near the end, but the disappointment of a cliffhanger was far outweighed by my anticipation of returning to this world.

Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins

A really great, solid romance. Atlanta girl. Paris boarding school. Cute French/British boy. Complications. Humor. Kissing. Good time.

For Adults:

The Thin Man, by Dashiell Hammett

If you like film noir, it's fun to read Hammett's great works and see where it all came from. Tightly written detective mystery full of atmosphere and characters that seem like cliches until you realize that he invented those cliches. We read this as a group of friends, and no one enjoyed it as much as I did.

Madensky Square, by Eva Ibbotson

I read a piece in the Horn Book at the time of Ibbotson's death that this book she considered her best. I find it interesting that so often, the books we authors feel best about are often our least popular. I very much enjoyed this first person account of a seamstress and mistress in Vienna. Really like Ibbotson and have made a lifetime goal to read all her books.

Midnight in Austenland, by yours truly

I did read this one a lot this year, going over copy edits and proofs, etc. One month till I get to share it with all!

Audio books:

Room, by Emma Donoghue

The first half of this book was so stressful for me, at one point I just had to listen for several hours straight instead of sleeping. Interesting, tense. As a writer, really great to see how the author manages to tell an entire novel from the POV of a five-year-old. Not easy--impossible some might say--and I think she totally pulls it off. This one stayed with me.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonson

Wonderful reader! I was so lost in the story, I never questioned the different voices. Contemporary setting in England, old world vs. new world, and a sweet, twilight romance. Perfectly, poignantly written.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames, by David Sedaris

I'm a Sedaris fan, and I love to hear his self-read pieces best. This collection is as good as all of his. Some vulgarity. If you don't know Sedaris, a good place to start might be The Santa-Land Diaries.

EDIT: Just realized how it looks to have two of my own books in a post called "Great Reads." Yikes! I didn't mean to tout them that way. I was just looking over my list of books read and they were on there, so I put them in since they were so much of my reading this year. Blerg.

Comments

[Rin Isilee]

Divergent is on my reading list. I just read Matched, and I loved it! Plus, all of yours are always on my list.

Cannot WAIT for Princess Academy sequel or Midnight in Austenland! EEP.

You've probably already read the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices, but on the off chance you haven't...go on. Off you go.

[Amber Argyle]

I loved Divergent.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone is on my "to buy" list, as she writes the same kind of things I do.

I also loved Before I Fall and Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

[Connie]

Loved Divergent, Smoke & Bone and Anna & The French Kiss and I know how happy it will make Stephanie that you listed her book because I know she loves yours! I am so excited to get my copy of Midnight in Austenland! Thanks again for hosting the twitter contest!

[Emilie]

I always get great ideas from your year-end lists. This was my year of reading a bunch of books I'd been putting off for awhile, especially middle grade series (didn't plan it, just happened that way--loved "Mysterious Benedict Society," Percy Jackson, and Blue Balliott's series that starts with "Chasing Vermeer"). The one new book I really loved was the year's Newbery winner, "Moon Over Manifest." Love and write historical fiction, but this was even better than I anticipated. Totally deserved the medal, and I hope she gets another book out soon.

[Liesl Shurtliff]

I've ready many of these, but will add more to my list! I'd like to try Holly Black's White Cat series. And David Sedaris makes me laugh so hard I cry, especially the Santa Land Diaries. I listen to them every Christmas.

[Emily Clawson]

Thanks for so many great suggestions! I read ROOM this year, too (not audio) and I didn't sleep that night. I have to agree that she does an amazing job of pulling off such a difficult concept and POV character. Great!

[Annie]

Excellent list! Have you seen the movie version of The Thin Man? So good in its own right!

[Ashley R.]

I loved Matched!!!!!! And was extremelly pleased and honored to meet Ally, she is so cool.
If you haven't read The Alliance by Gerald N. Lund, you need to. It is so good!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for this list. Have a Happy New Year, and hope your Christmas was wonderful and non-stressful. :)

[Mary-Sweet Bookshelf]

Anna and the French Kiss by STephanie Perkins if probably my very favorite YA contemporary EVER. It is SOOO good!!!!

I also loved Divergent and Matched! Both amazing dystopians!

Not to mention how much I love Princess Academy and Midnight in Austenland! Superb! I can't wait to talk about MIA when it comes out!

[Shelby]

I have Icafall (Christmas Present) but i still need to read it...I'm glad you like it

[jen bryner in logan]

i just added all the ones i haven't read yet to my nook book wish list!! thanks for the suggestions :) i <3 reading!!

[Kelly C.]

Thank you! It's not as if I need more for my long, long reading list but these sound so good I'll put them at the top!

[Fleur Swenson]

Any time someone asks me for a book recommendation I always tell them "anything by Shannon Hale". True story. So I wasn't surprised to see a couple of your books make the list of "2011 great reads". I figured you were just telling it how it is. You may as well face the fact that your books are awesome. :)

[Thebookspot]

I've either read or am reading all those YA novels, but I need to read some of the MG and adult ones :)

A few are already on my list (including Kat, Incorrigible, which I'd almost forgotten about) . . . I really need to move them up!

[nerdyem]

Fabulous! Thanks, Shannon Girl! I just put Kat Incorrigible, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, and Palace Beautiful on my hold list in our library system.

I don't know which library you pertence (is that a word in English?), but as I take my kiddos to the South Jordan Library on occasion (we like to bounce around to all of the great little libraries in our area), it's fun to imagine that you and your brood pass through the same portals now and again.

Thanks again for the excellent recommendations--perfect for the cozy reading season of January through spring. Just what we need along with hot cocoa or a cup of honey lemon tea.

Good luck with your upcoming deadlines and the best to you and your busy little clan!

[Ruth]

yay! I will just add those to my never ending stack of books to read although I have read a lot of those and they were really good! I also recomend The Agency: A spy in the house; I know it sounds stupid but it was amazing

[Liz K]

I loved Matched, Crossed, Divergent, Before I Fall, Delirium...there were so many good books this year! And I seriously love all of yours. Some of my very favorites. :-)

[Monica]

It would be kind of sad if you didn´t like your own books, wouldn´t it?

[Ashley R.]

I got Entwined for Christmas this year! I am so excited to read it! :)

[Jordan Concord 11]

It would be kind of sad if you didn´t like your own books, wouldn´t it?

[klonghall]

Just by looking at this list, I know we'd be friends if we lived close by. :-) I simply adored Anna & the French Kiss! I stayed up way too late one night because I HAD to finish it. Love those nights! I read the Major over a year ago, and I still think about those characters. It left me hungry for more books like that, but I can't seem to find anything with that same tone. Grace Lin's masterpiece is on my top 10 of the past 10 years. I've rarely read such a fine example of storytelling. I second the praise for Entwined. Loved it. I wish Midnight at Austenland was already out. I'm so excited to get back into that world.

[Madi H]

Hello! Just discovering your blog, but I've always loved your books! Anyway, as I said, I'm new, so are you planning on an fifth book of Bayern? I heard about the upcoming sequel to the Princess Academy - ahhhh! SO EXCITED. And, of course, for Midnight in Austenland.
Also, it wasn't in your FAQ, are you planning on a sequel to Book of A Thousand Days?

About Great Reads, I would recommend the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. It takes place in the future and is AMAZING. One of his lesser know series, Leviathan, is equally, if not, (in my opinion) greater, though. They are stunning steampunk books that are the alternative past of World War I. There are three. Really. Read these books.

[Matt]

Thanks so much for mentioning ICEFALL, Shannon. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it.

[Holly]

excited to try these out! Thanks for the recommendations. Best of luck completing your own book(s) this year- we're rooting for you! :)

[Christy Grigg]

I just love it that you do "great reads" posts. I'm always looking for good books and this makes it soooo easy! Thank you!

PS-I love your edit, you're the cutest.

[Megan Dahlgren]

I came to your sight looking for more info on Austenland, the movie, but then got sucked into reading. I was about to stop but then saw your great reads and had to see if you had read "Room." I am so glad you had or I would have had to recommend it. I see that you listened to it. I am not sure if you are a "re-reader" but I would totally recommend you READ this one. The way that it is told was so neat to read. Anyway, I finished it almost a month ago and I still find myself thinking about it almost daily. Glad you enjoyed it!

[Cheap Timberland Boots]

ings do not change;we change.sell your clothes and keep your thoughts