MY TOP 5 BOOKS OF 2011

As 2011 has been my first full year of book blogging, I thought I should do a quick review of the challenge I completed (unfortunately I didn't complete the Anne McCaffrey challenge, but I'm really glad that I finished this one)...

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Hosted by Story Siren

Goal: 12 debut books read (exceeded)

Die for Me, Amy Plum
Divergent, Veronica Roth
Neversuch House, Elliot Skell
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
Paranormalcy, Kiersten White
Forgotten, Cat Patrick
A Beautiful Lie, Irfan Master
The Iron Witch, Karen Mahoney
Starcrossed, Josephine Angelini
Bumped, Megan McCafferty
Entangled, Cat Clarke
Blood Magic, Tessa Gratton
The Dig, Audrey Hart
Carrier of the Mark, Leigh Fallon
The Sweetest Thing, Christina Mandelski
This Girl is Different, JJ Johnson
Dark Inside, Jeyn Roberts

I also wanted to pick out the top books that have been published and I've read this year. These are the books and characters that have really stood out to me. Quite frankly I'm surprised how many of these are contemporary YA without a whiff of paranormal.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick
Contemporary YA

I love books that have quirky, twisting plot lines, and Forgotten is really one of these. They take a while to figure out, but once you've got it you really how simply ingenious they are.

Entangled by Cat Clarke
Contemporary YA

Entangled really managed to get under the skin of 17 year old Grace, and made me feel like I was right inside her head. With some deep issues about self harm, teenage sex and pregnancy, it was such a thoughtful, emotional yet captivating read.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Dystopian

The setting for Divergent was really unique and imaginative. On top of this, the main characters were just fab. From Tris who was so strong despite her secret and living with some real crazy and dangerous people in Dauntless, as well as the mysterious Four. A scary but powerful read.

Debris by Jo Anderton
A mix of science fiction and fantasy

For a debut author, I was seriously impressed with the sci-fi fantasy world built up by Jo Anderton. I really enjoyed seeing Tanyana's ups and downs following her huge social demotion. But I also loved the rich secondary characters, Lad and Kichlan, who helped Tanyana and showed her what life could be like.

Kill All Enemies by Melvin Burgess
Contemporary YA

Not one of my normal reads, but I was completely taken by surprise by Kill All Enemies. Three teenagers who face harsh home lives, personal difficulties, and abuse face up to their own behaviours. So real, so human. It makes you realise why the troublemakers are the way they are. And it makes you like them.


What were your favourite books this year?