2011 End of Year Book Survey
by Jenners • 12/27/2011 • Book Recommendations • 82 Comments
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I saw this End of Year Book Survey over at The Avid Reader’s Musings and thought it was a terrific way to summarize my year in reading rather than trying to come up with a “Best of 2011″ list. Keep in mind this survey deals just with books that I personally read in 2011; not all the books listed below were published in 2011.
1. Best book you read In 2011?
I haven’t written my review for it yet, but my clear choice is Skippy Dies by Paul Murray. I listened to it on audio (23 hours and 36 minutes) and was just engrossed in it. A perfect combination of funny, touching, sad and philosophical, the book would have been amazing in any form but, on audio, performed by a wide cast of Irish actors and actresses, this book came to life in a way I’ve never experienced before. I didn’t want it to end and found myself listening during every spare moment. My only 5 star book of the year!
2. Most disappointing book you wish you loved more than you did?
I was so hoping to fall in love with Marisa de los Santo’s Falling Together like I did with her previous books but was really disappointed. Although it wasn’t the worst book I read all year (that would be a tie between Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi and The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard), it was the one that disappointed me the most.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?
For sheer surprise and unexpectedness, I’d have to go with Gabe Rotter’s The Human Bobby. I loved being surprised by a book, and this one had one doozy of a surprise waiting for me at the end. Loved it!
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?
I kept trying to force Ready Player One by Ernest Cline on everyone (including Mr. Jenners). Also, Tina Fey’s Bossypants was a pretty standard “Oh you should listen to it on audio” recommendation. I also told quite a few people to read What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.
5. Best series you discovered in 2011?
This would be a tie between Patrick Ness’s Chaos Walking Trilogy (a rare series that got better with each book) and Jennifer Donnelly’s The Rose Trilogy (compelling and sprawling historical fiction).
Just to be fair, I wish I’d never laid eyes on the Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner. Not only did it get steadily worse with each book, but I found out a little detail after finishing the third book that makes me furious. I’ll write about it when I post my review.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?
Josh Kilmer-Purcell is my new go to memoirist (I read both of his books this year and enjoyed them immensely). I also discovered why Sarah Vowell is so beloved.
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
I resisted The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot for a long time—thinking (mistakenly) that a long book about cell research and a woman who died in the 1950s would not be interesting. I was so wrong about that.
Also, who would think I’d find a book about why Pluto is no longer a planet such a fascinating and compelling read? Yet How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown definitely makes my top reads of the year list.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?
A tie between Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, Under The Dome by Stephen King, and Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson. All three had me reading long past my bedtime and itching to find out what happened.
9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?
There was no one book that I was salivating over but I was really excited to read Between A Rock and A Hard Place by Aron Ralston after falling in love with the movie 127 Hours.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
11. Most memorable character in 2011?
Definitely Ruprecht Van Doren from Skippy Dies. Actually, almost all of the characters from Skippy Dies could make the list. They just came alive for me.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?
I found beautiful passages throughout Meghan O’Rourke’s memoir, The Long Goodbye, about dealing with her mother’s death.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?
Well, Anthony Bourdain’s Medium Raw inspired me to roast a chicken—one of the most direct impacts on my daily life. I also felt weirdly inspired by Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. It isn’t just a book about running; it is a book about aging, writing and living life. There is a lot of food for thought in there that has stuck with me.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?
Why I waited so long to try Sarah Vowell’s Assassination Vacation is beyond me.
15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2011?
The moment when I flash upon my mother’s smile and face and realize she is dead, I experience the same lurch, the same confusion, the same sense of impossibility. A year ago collapses into yesterday in these moments. Periodically for the rest of my life, my mother’s death will seem like it took place yesterday.
– From The Long Goodbye by Meghan O’Rourke
“…Father liked word games. He was fourteen times world Scrabble champion. When he died, we buried him at Queenzieburn to make use of the triple word score. He spent the greater part of his life campaigning to have respelt those words that look as though they are spelt wrongly but arent.”
“Such as….?”
“Oh, skiing, vacuum, freest, eczema, gnu, diarrhea, that sort of thing. He also thought that ‘abbreviation’ was too long for its meaning, that ‘monosyllable’ should have one syllable, ‘dyslexic’ should be renamed ‘O’ and ‘unspeakable’ should be respelt ‘unsfzpxkable.’”
–From The Big Overeasy by Jasper Fforde
16. Book that you read In 2011 that would be most likely to reread in 2012?
I HATE rereading books but I’m definitely going to be revisiting Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from The Goon Squad in 2012 so I can fully appreciate the book. I wasn’t prepared the first time!
17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
Have you read The Human Bobby by Gabe Rotter? If you did, you know why I listed it. If you haven’t read it, aren’t you curious about why I listed it? Go find out!
Looking Ahead
1. One book you didn’t get to In 2011 but will be your number 1 priority in 2012?
Since Mr. Jenners is taking FOREVER to read Walter Issacson’s Steve Jobs, I will have to put this off until 2012 but I’m not going to wait until 2013! (So get reading, Mr. Jenners,)
2. Book you are most anticipating for 2012?
I’ve heard that Tana French will have another book out in 2012 (called Broken Harbor) and I must have that ASAP! I read her novel, Faithful Place, this year and found it as involving and wonderful as her previous two books.
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?
I hope to tackle one of Haruki Marakami’s fiction books and read The People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn, which I successfully avoided again this year.
My Top 10 Reads of 2011
And just for the record, if I had to have a Top 10 reads of the year, it might look something like this. (If I didn’t mention the book above, I included a few comments on it below.)
- Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
- Heads You Lose by Lisa Lutz and David Heyward (completely hilarious)
- The Widow’s Season by Laura Brodie (haunting and surprising)
- The Human Bobby by Gabe Rotter
- Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer (filled me with anger and compassion)
- The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta (reminded me why I love this author)
- How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown
- Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
- This Is A Book by Demetri Martin by Demetri Martin (goofy smartness at its best)
So many books! I guess I have a few more books to add to my reading list. Funny how I come to your blog when I need a good book to read
Oh and now I’m curious about The Human Bobby and why you chose that book.
I also thought Under the Dome was fantastic. Even though it’s a very long book, I finished it quite quickly.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed Skippy Dies. I loved that book too.
I need to read Ready Player One as it seems to keep cropping up on lists like this. Heads You Lose is also calling my name. Thanks for writing such an entertaining blog in 2011. I look forward to to following you through 2012. Happy New Year!
This is freaking awesome!! I will be keeping this post handy and making my way down the list throughout the year!!!
Great wrap up post Jenners, it looks like you had a nice reading year. I like the title of How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming
Happy New Year xoxo
The title is what grabbed for the Pluto book. It seemed to indicate that it would be a more readable book. And it was!
I wish you and yours all the best for 2012! Happy New Year!
I have Ready Player One in my stacks to read. I can’t believe I have not gotten to it! I am thrilled Tana French has a new one coming out too – she’s such an awesome suspense writer! Some on your list I have not had a chance to get to or even heard of…must remedy that one!
Ready Player One is just a fun thrill ride of a book. Totally enjoyable. And it is shaping up to be a good new year with a Tana French book on its way!
I wish you and yours all the best for 2012! Happy New Year!
yay! i have skippy dies sitting on my bookshelf. i’ll have to bump it up in my tbr reading list now after seeing that it was your favorite book of 2011.
Isn’t it awesome when you see a book that someone loved and you already have it?!
I wish you and yours all the best for 2012! Happy New Year!
Sounds like a good reading year.
I’ve got Skippy Dies on my TBR for next year and now I’m really excited about reading it! Thanks!
Woo hoo!! I hope you like Skippy Dies as much as I did! I wish you and yours all the best for 2012! Happy New Year!
I know where to go for my next audiobook experience – Skippy Dies, sounds wonderful, I generally like the Irish writers. I enjoyed reading your reflections of the reading year. A very happy new year to you and yours!
I just fell in love with the Skippy Dies audibook. A whole host of Irish actors and actresses narrate — giving each character a unique voice. It really made the book come alive!
I wish you and yours all the best for 2012! Happy New Year!
Great wrap up with little overlap. I added the audio of Skippy Dies to my list and took off the Maze Runner series! I am hoping to get to the last two in the Rose trilogy early this year.
If I can save you from the disappointment of the Maze Runner, then I’ve done my job!! ; )
I wish you and yours all the best for 2012! Happy New Year!
Great Meme!
I thought so too! The questions really helped me focus. Have a wonderful new year!
So I’ve heard good things about Skippy Dies, but I didn’t actually want to read it until now. I also agree Chaos got better with each book and the Rose trilogy is really high on my TBR list.
I’m glad to hear that about the Maze trilogy. I read the first book, but didn’t really want to read the second, which is rare for me. I’m glad my instincts were right. Such a great list!
I don’t know how I blundered into Skippy Dies but I’m so glad I did. As I mentioned, I listened to it on audio and it was amazing due to the use of a whole bunch of narrators to voice the characters. The book just worked really well for me in audio form … though I will caution that it might take some time to find your groove in the book.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll wait until I can find it on audio and I’ll give it some time.
I have to compile a reading list from this post, as every time I go to the library I never know what to look for. Thanks for reading, thanks for posting about it, yours is one of my most favorite blogs.
Happy new year!
It helps to have a list … and once you try a few of the books I’ve enjoyed, you’ll know whether to “trust” me or not! HAHA!
Just a quick question… don’t know what you plan on doing re: Take Another Chance Challenge, I really love your challenge from 2011 and plan on completing it albeit will not be in 2011, hope you don’t mind if I continue to mention it, I have all those books sitting on my shelf, no choice now. He He, ThANKS FOR HOSTING.
I’m not hosting the challenge for 2012 — I got kind of burnt out on reading challenges so I’m taking a break but feel free to keep on going with it.
I am literally at Amazon putting at least half of your list into my cart!
Oh goodie! I want feedback!
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was surprising for me too. I never thought I could like a book on that topic!!
I haven’t read any Tana French yet!! I need to catch up. Is Broken Harbor a stand alone or next in the series?
Tana French is interesting in that the books are standalones but you “meet” the narrator of each book in the previous book. The first book, In the Woods, was narrated by Rob and involved Cassie. Cassie narrates The Likeness and we meet Frank. Frank narrates Faithful Place and you meet the narrator of Broken Harbor. You don’t have to read them in order but I personally think it flows better. She is such a gifted writer — don’t miss out on her!
Oh, I didn’t realize that! That’s interesting. I think I’ll still read them in order, though, LOL. I finally read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and the Tana French books are the other series I’ve had on my list forever!
A great meme, it makes such interesting reading. Funnily enough I used a similar format for my 100+ Reading Challenge Wrap which i’ll be posting in the next day or so. And talking of which, do you know if this challenge is happening ths year?
It was a great way to summarize a year of reading. I needed some focus by being asked questions. And I’m not sure about the 100+ Reading Challenge as I’m not signing up for it. I can’t imagine that someone isn’t hosting it!
I love the way you summed up 2011! Terrific year! I’ll be posting my picks for 2011 on new Years Eve –last minute –that’s me.
Getting it in right under the wire, huh? I’ll be curious to see your top books!
The Human Bobby and Heads you Lose is definitely on my list for next year. I loved Widows Season, that was on my 2009 favourite list.
I was really affected by The Widow’s Season, and it had me wondering what was happening the whole way through. I’m glad I found that this year. And I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with The Human Bobby or Heads You Lose.
This is a great meme to wrap up a year. I’m terribly behind on my updates. You know I liked The Virgin of Small Plains – we read it for a book club and I think most of us liked it. Before I Go to Sleep was awesome for me. I loved it. You’ve listed a bunch I haven’t heard of so I’ll have to go looking. I sure hope you don’t increase my already too full Kindle. Lol.
This meme is a wonderful way to wrap up a year. It gives you some structure and I found it easier to do a round-up by having that structure. I just wasn’t a big fan of The Virgin of Small Plains — but that is why reading is so great. There is a book that fits everyone. And Before I Go To Sleep was a riveting read, wasn’t it. And that is the beauty of a Kindle … it takes a lot to fill it up!
Jenners, I love this list! What a great resource for me as I vow to be a more avid reader this year
I also want desperately to jump into the audio book world. You really make it sound like an interesting way to “get into” a story. Thanks Jenners!
Audiobooks were a revelation to me. It makes exercise and boring housework so much more bearable .. and a good narrator (or several) can really make a book come alive in a way that reading the print version can’t always do.
I agree with you on the Henrietta Lacks book. I’m not into science, but it kept me interested. I can’t wait for Tana French’s new book either!
I know … I was surprised how involved I got. It was a very personal book in many ways. And I cannot WAIT for the Tana French book. Amazon says July for the U.S. Maybe you’ll get it earlier!
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was one of my favorites. Such a profound book, and I watched a news special about her family and I was nearly brought to tears. Great list of books you have for 2011.
Hope you have a fabulous New Year!
I should look for that special about the Lacks family. Their story was so involving. The relationship between Debra and Rebecca was such a big part of the book for me.
I should read Tina Fey’s book! I also recommended What Alice Forgot this year to a good friend of mine. I enjoyed Freedom as well. My most memorable book of the year, I would have to say though, was James Frey The Final Testament of the Holy Bible.
Check out Tina Fey’s book — but it is best on audio if you can do it!! I haven’t read the Frey book but it sounded kind of out there. I’ll have to check it out at one point.
I’ve heard great things about Skippy Dies and tried to read it, but it fizzled out for me before it was due at the library, so I didn’t check it out again. I may have to try the audio. Maybe I should limit my library books for Jan-April to audio, since that wouldn’t cut into my normal reading time anyway (still trying to tweak the TBR Dare so that I can read as many of my own books as I can and fit in some library reads too).
Oh, and I loved Ready Player One – definitely a top read. The First in the Jennifer Donnelly series is on my shelf waiting to be read. And I completely agree about The Maze Runner series – I was so mad!
Well I owe you a big thank you for turning me on to Ready Player One. It was your enthusiasm for it that got to read it. And pooh pooh on The Maze Runner!! Blech. I would highly recommend Skippy Dies on audio. Part of me wonders if I would have been so into it if I’d just read the print version. They used a whole cast of actors for the narration and it just worked so well.
Re: The Maze Runner – YOU AND ME BOTH, SISTER. Except that I read the first book and was like UGH NO THANKS. I’m curious what this THING you found out is.
You were smart to get out when you did! I’ll tell you what angers me. The third and final book (which has been leading up to the whole explanation of how the world got all messed up and all and what part Thomas played in the development of the Maze and all) was a big non-reveal. Turns out the reason for that is because the money-grubbing author apparently is releasing a “prequel” to tell that part of the story. It just felt really cheap and exploitative and I was so disappointed in the ending of the series (due to the non-reveal of all the back history that you are waiting for) … then to find out WHY it wasn’t in there just made me mad. Urgh.
I would have to agree that a lot of these books are great, but I had not heard much about Skippy Dies, and now I know that I must read it or listen to it! Do you recommend the audio over the print? I know that you and I share a taste for absurdist literature, and I have a feeling that from your description that Skippy Dies fits in this category. Great little meme today, Jenners! I loved your list!
I was just so amazed by the audio of Skippy Dies that I’d tend to recommend that over the print. It is hard to tell if the print version would have such an impact. They use a whole cast of Irish actor and actresses to do the dialogue and it just works really really well. It is a long long listen though … although it didn’t bother me. And it takes awhile to get into the groove of the book but I just fell in love hard for it.
Falling Together is also on my list as one of the most disappointing. And I didn’t know Tana French as another coming out – yay!
I felt bad about griping about “Falling Together” but I was so excited to fall in love with it so I felt very upset when it was not as magical as I’d hoped.
And I think the new French book is due out in July.
The only book on your list that I’ve read is The Widow’s Season, which I enjoyed as well. You’ve made me curious about Skippy Dies and The Human Bobby!
I hope you check out Skippy Dies and The Human Bobby — though The Human Bobby is much less of a commitment!
I like the way you organized this. Excellent post! annoying isn’t it when the Mr. hogs the book you want. Arrrgh.
The thing is that I have something like 100 unread books to choose from and he only has the one book … so it seems uncharitable of me to bother him about it but still — he’s had that book for over two months now and I never see him reading it. I think he’s going to lose it to me very soon.
I just got goosebumps. With only a few exceptions, you could be me. Which, then, means I must listen to Skippy Dies if it can be had on audio from my library. I am really just amazed how much our paths intersect. Wow.
Well, you do influence me a lot!! And Skippy Dies is an amazing amazing audio. The best I’ve ever listened to. I’d never heard a “cast” of readers. It worked so well. That almost 24 hours just flew by. You, of all people, must listen to it!
Great list. I haven’t read Skippy even though Amazon kept recommending it to me. Must now download it at once!
Amazon knows what they are talking about in this case!! : )
Oh I might have to pin this so I can come back for good recommendations.
Pin away … I always bookmark these lists at the end of the year when I need ideas for books.
Great meme! It seems like this would really help organize your thoughts about the last year of books. You list a few authors (like Tana French) who are on my to-read list!
This meme was a great way to organize your thoughts … I needed the structure!
And you really must try Tana French. She is amazing!
It’s funny that your read so many books that I thought I read, and we each had different ideas of them. I shall have to read Skippy… some unusual choices on your list from my usual choices.
That is the beauty of reading! We all come away from a book with a totally different feelings and thoughts. I love hearing what others think about books I’ve read as it often gives me another viewpoint that I may have missed.
I love that quote from The Big Overeasy! I’d completely forgotten about that.
Everyone’s been talking about Ready Player One but when I read the description of it, it just sounds so not-me, so I haven’t yet gone to look for it…
I know what you mean about the description for Ready Player One. I thought I might not be into it either but it was just a fun thrill ride that you just give yourself over to. I have such a hard time telling what you will like or not but I’d definitely recommend it.
I definitely want to read Ready Player One, I’ve heard only good things. I loved Skippy Dies which I read last year. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is one I have resisted even though it has been raved about. I’m afraid I’ll be bored, but now I’m rethinking.
I felt the same way about the Henrietta Lacks book, which is why I avoided it. It was totally readable and involving so I’d recommend you give it a go.
Great list!! My book club choice for January is Before I Go to Sleep, can’t wait to finish and talk about it!!
I hope to read some of the others you mentioned too. A friend gave me The Human Bobby, so I know I’ll get to that one!!
Thanks.
What a great way to start off your Book Club year! I think you’ll have lots of debate about the ending!
And The Human Bobby is a must read. Get to it soon … you’ll love it I suspect.
Mr. Jenners needs to get cracking…the Steve Jobs book is amazing!
I’ve had People’s History on my shelf for forever. We could maybe tackle it together?
Yes … let’s try to read People’s History together. Maybe we can rustle us up a readalong or something. It is one of those books that is probably good once you get going but I keep avoiding it and I feel like I SHOULD read it. Let me know what works for you. I’m totally flexible (as far as scheduling … not physically).
This was fun to read! I have read The Human Bobby so I know what you’re talking about. I actually read it on an airplane and think I actually hollered out toward the end. I’ve read 3 of your top 10, so I need to get reading!
I was just so surprised at The Human Bobby. I had bought into it hook line and sinker so when the “reveal” happens, I was just like “Whhhaaaaa…????”
I simply must read (or listen to) Ready Player One! And I’m thrilled Chaos Walking made your list.
You really must check out Ready Player One. It is soooooo good! I think you’d love it. And your raves about the series were a large part of why I picked up the Chaos Walking books so thank you for that!
What a fun way to sum up your year in books!! I’ll agree that “Before I Go To Sleep” was un-put-downable! Looking forward to your review of “Skippy Dies”.
Wasn’t “Before I Go To Sleep” riveting? Although I was a bit disappointed in the ending (I thought he should have committed one way or the other) it was a crazy ride!