Musings of A Book Lover...

So as another year comes around to a close I am proud to say I have met my 2011 reading goal! Ta Da! It is the only "new years resolution" I ever really keep up with...GoodReads rocks! Anyway another friend blogged a list of her favorites for the year and I thought I should do that as well. The only problem is (as you will see below), I had a hard time picking. I love to read and I think everyone should read almost everything I read this year! So to help I am sticking with the ratings I gave the book on GoodReads. If I said it right after I finished the book then it is probably a more accurate portrayal than what I remember now! :) So here goes, my list of 5 Star books I read this year:


13 Reasons Why - Jay Asher
This book was haunting! Kind of literally! It was the story of a girl who committed suicide but left an elaborate plan to show the people who led her to it how they played a role in her decision. It is a great look at how the people who are left behind have to deal with suicide AND a reminder of how important the way we treat people can be.


They Poured Fire On Us From the Sky - Benjamin Ajak
This was one of my non-fiction picks from this past year. It is the story of a group of 'lost boys' from Sudan and how they survived and eventually made it to America. It is beautiful and heartbreaking all at once.

Wrinkle In Time - Madeleine L'Engle
Okay, okay I know...this is a repeat. I read this book first to one of my college student workers who had never read it (what??!) and then to my nephew. Both times I remember why I call this my FAVORITE book! It is beautiful. And why don't people use big words in books any more? Madeleine L'Engle rocks!

Name of the Wind & Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss
The 2nd Book of this series was released this year so I went back and re-read the first one again. Yep, still just as good! Both books are amazing and all I can say is...read them, read them now!

Ethel & Ernest - Raymond Briggs
This is the surprise entry on my list this year. I am attempting to read more non-fiction as well as more graphic novels, as neither of them is really my thing. This book is both so I decided to give it a try. I was crying at the end! It is an absolutely stunning story of Raymond Briggs' parents life. Nothing spectacular happens to them per say...but they live through so many cultural milestones and it is amazing to see it through the eyes of a crazy little couple growing older in love. I loved this book!

Girl Meets God - Lauren Winner
This book excited me! I only regretted that I didn't buy the book instead of read a library copy because I wasn't able to underline, highlight and write in the margins as I wanted! This book, while about a girl totally unlike me in so many ways also identified with me in as many ways. It made me excited about spiritual growth again in some ways. Definitely something I am recommending to many friends!

Milkweed - Jerry Spinelli
I bought this book at Goodwill because I recognized the authors name and it was a really nice hardback copy. I had no idea what the book was about. I was blown away by it! It is the story of the war and the life of the Jews told in the most unique way I have ever seen. Through the eyes of a child so young and so innocent that he didn't even know what was happening. Everyone should have to read this book. Some of the images it left on my heart will never leave.

Okay so I realize this is already a very long blog but I would also mention (without review) some others that I totally loved and would recommend to all:


Dresden Files - Jim Butcher (the whole series, just do it)
Number the Stars - Lois Lowry (another re-read)
Crank - Ellen Hopkins (amazing)
XVII - Julia Karr (along the lines of the Uglies series)
Iron Fey Series - Julie Kagawa
Hunger Games Series (surprised I didn't give this one 5 stars...I adore it!)
All We Know of Heaven - Jacquelyn Mitchard (loosely based on a true story from TN)

okay so small amounts of reviews...lol!
It is almost 2012....READ!! :)