Best on the Bookshelf 2011

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays with friends and family (and family who are friends).

As promised so long ago I can't quite remember when I said it, I present to you:

Amanda's Favourite 5 Reads of 2011

5. Bossypants by Tina Fey: In this new year, I'd like to laugh more and take life a bit less seriously.  For anyone else looking to do the same, read more books like this one.  Any book that leaves me belly laughing is a sure bet to make it to the favourites list.

4. One Day by David Nicholls: Unconventional and unpredictable love stories are another sure hit on the list, so it's no wonder this little novel turned major motion picture finds itself coming in at #4 from all 23 novels I read this year.  It's funny, sentimental, heartfelt, and real, and that makes it worth reading.

3. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins: Based on comments, other blogs, and conversations I've had with other readers I think it's no surprise this trilogy has found its way to the list, but I do think the 3rd place finish might astound some. It owes its middle of the road finish to the rushed and unremarkable ending. BUT since the rest of the series is so exciting, inventive, and just plain good, it had to make the list for the simple fact that it gave me that Harry Potter/Twilight-like fix I've been craving since those series wrapped up.

2. Juliet by Anne Fortier: This novel could have easily taken the first position. So I guess there is no clear winner on the list, but Juliet is certainly a winning type of novel. With a romantic spin on a DaVinci Code-eqsue story, Juliet combines history, romance, action, mystery, and adventure to create a truly exciting novel. If you can get your hands on this not-overly-popular piece of fiction, my guess is you'll devour it in no time.

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett: I really grappled with this decision because it bothered me a little to put such a commerically successful novel in the #1 spot. But at the end of the day, there's a reason it saw so much success. The story has everything: sentimentality, importance, romance, heartbreak, disappointment, redemption, excitement, comedy... And it brings light to a piece of history in a way that doesn't take itself quite so seriously, yet still manages to enlighten readers on the severity of the issues. I'm happy to have read this novel, happier that it has inspired me as an English teacher, and happier still that I could share it with you. (As if you needed ME to bring this gem to your attention).

So, I guess that's it for 2011. I can't wait to see what novels find their way onto my shelf and yours in 2012.