This is a little later than past years, but here are the books I read in 2011, all 26 of them.
Some of the early reads seem like so long ago. Years ago. A lot of things have happened this year. I've lost some and found some. I've closed the chapter on some things, and turned the pages to reveal new chapters. So, here is the account of my words in 2011 (in chronological order).
1. I Sold my Soul on Ebay by: Hemant Mehta (spiritual memoir, nonfiction)
This was an interesting read, if at times a bit gimmicky. It's an aitheist's report on Christian churches.
2. The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis (young adult, fantasy)
I had intended to re-read the Chronicles this year, but it just didn't happen.
3. Children of Men by PD James (dystopian fiction)
This was a fascinating book. PD imagines a world where women can no longer have children. Interestingly, there's lots of sacramental imagery in this book that was quite beautiful and moving.
4. Peter Pan by JM Barrie (not really young adult, fiction, fantasy)
Much darker than Disney's tinker-belled version, this book is an interesting, short read nonetheless.
5. The Great Divorce by CS Lewis (spiritual biograph/fantasy/fiction, all at once)
One of my favorites by Jack, I found this one just as life-changing as when I first read it.
6. Churched, One Kid's Journey Towards God, Despite a Holy Mess by Matthew Paul Turner (spiritual memoir)
An interesting account of a man's journey out of fundamentalism. My year was marked with lots of thinking about this topic and reflecting on my own roots and baggage from fundie land.
7. Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? by Neil Gaiman (comic, fantasy)
I finally broke down and bought this from Forbidden Planet. I read it twice this year (so I am counting it twice), and wrote an article on it, for the Transpositions blog.
8. The Town Below the Ground: Edinburgh's Legendary Underground by Jan-Andrew Henderson (history)
I love Edinburgh. It is one of my favorite cites, and due to its unusual building history, it has lots of underground secrets. This little book tells some of them. Not the most well-written, but quite conversational.
9. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (fantasy, young adult)
I was reading this in anticipation of the movie. I had only read it twice before (as opposed to the others), but in the end, I didn't have any money to see the movie in the cinema. DVD it is then. This was, I think, my last time for Meyer's world of Cullens. I'm kind of tired of them.
10. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by Rowling (fantasy)
I re-read the series in anticipation of the last film installment.
11. Momo by Michael Ende (fantasy, young adult)
This was a book club selection, and I found it a bit pedantic and unrealistic. Boring even. I wouldn't reccomend it.
12. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (fiction)
This book was suggested by my fiancé. An amazing and beautiful book, this epistolary novel is simplay breath-taking.
13. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Rowling
14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by Rowling
15. Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie fox and the Rise of Spiritualism by Barabra Weisberg (spiritual memoir, history)
I had higher hopes for this book. In the end it just dragged and was not as interesting as Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death by Deborah Blum, that I read a few years ago.
16. Saints at the River by Ron Rash (Southern fiction)
Rash has an amazing talent for depicting the area he is writing about. This novel is about the little corner of South Carolina where I grew up, near the foot of the mountain range.
17. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Rowling (fiction)
18. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenger (fiction, fantasy, comic)
Yes, you see that right. This is a graphic novel by the author of The Time Traveler's Wife. Interesting, but a bit disturbing as it seems to praise suicide.
19. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by Rowling
I think this is my favorite Harry Potter book.
20. The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia by Philip Sidney (prose)
A complicated proto-novel with lovers and connections worthy of any soap opera
21. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (not young adult, fiction)
This is another one I read with my fiancé, It was a favorite from when I read it as a young teen.
22. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (fiction)
I read this one a second time, and suggested it to my fiancé for our bookclub. A hard, but moving read.
23. A Woman of Independent Means by Elizabeth Forsyth Haley (fiction)
An epistolary novel, that's interesting at first, but then drags on and on. The main character at first seems sympathetic, but then, by the end, she turns out to be a conniving and manipulating woman.
24. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by Rowling
25. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by Rowling
Now, for the 2012's reading. . . .
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