Want to take my book poll and see how many of the books I read this year you've read too? You don't have to have read them this year, just tick off the one's you're read ever!
*Updated: Ack! Looks like only LiveJournal members can take the poll! Darn! Well, at least you can see the books I've read if you can't take the poll.
Julie's 2011 Poll
2011 was a great reading year for me. I read some fabulous books and discovered new to me authors who became favorites such as Ciji Ware and Suzanne Enoch. I finished up some series, such as the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning and read the whole Swanlea Spinsters Series this year by Sabrina Jeffries. I also finished the last book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series and discovered some new historical mystery series by Kate Ross and C.S. Harris. I started a few more promising romance series, such as the Knight Miscellany by Gaelen Foley and A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. All of Judith McNaught's books were great, and I finished up all her historicals (sniff, sniff) I'll be reading her contemporaries this coming year in 2012.
Some of my favorite books of the year were surprisingly on audio, such stand outs were, Replay by Ken Grimwood and 11/22/63 by Stephen King. Both time travel books set in the 60's which were great. Katherine by Anya Seton, a book I'd heard about for years, everyone telling me I should read it - and it was good! Bossypants was hilarious and made me appreciate Tina Fey (I'm now a 30 Rock fan, catching the reruns on TV). Linda Howard's Dream Man was fabulous, I loved it too!
Some of my absolute favorite reads this year in addition to the audiobooks mentioned above were Island of the Swans and A Race to Splendor, both by Ciji Ware. Diana Gabaldon's The Scottish Prisoner -one word: Jamie. In The Proposition by Judith Ivory I discovered a new hero I love - Mick! Another favorite was Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth. What a great story, it was so moving it brought me to tears. Another surprise hit was She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell, labeled as Christian Fiction - it wasn't preachy or religious at all! I don't know why it has that label. Whatever it is - I loved, loved, loved it!
I loved The Winter Rose and The Wild Rose, great finish to Jennifer Donnelly's Tea Rose Series - I ate them up! A few surprises in the romances, I adored A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley. Supposedly they are coming out with a sequel (Swan's story) but I haven't seen any news about when. An oldie but goodie was a charming book, Daddy Long Legs (it's free on kindle) by Jean Baker - great! I've loved Julie Garwood's medievals, but she totally bowled me over with The Lion's Lady, it was just marvelous and so different for a Regency too! Elizabeth Hoyt has become an auto-buy for me, she is firmly entrenched in my favorite romance authors list - every book she's written has been terrific! Finished up her Four Soldiers series this year which I loved, particularly the Beauty and Beast themed, To Beguile a Beast and started her new Maiden Lane series - quite intriguing!
Have a Happy New Year everyone and I hope 2012 is another great reading year for us all!
10 comments:
Oh, I have Island of Swans in my TBR pile right now--I'll have to pick it up soon if it was one of your 2011 favorites! :D
I posted my list of books just now, but I didn't narrow it down to my favorites (shame on me...) I didn't manage as many as I had wanted, but considering everything I had going on this year in my life, I am happy with what I did accomplish. :)
I hope you have a wonderful New Year's!
Enjoy,
TBQ
http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com
Great list. I'm a reader of your blog but don't comment, until now. I really enjoy reading your reviews. I'm actually reading What Angels Fear at the moment and think it's great. So many books I have to add on my TBR.
Can't wait to see what you think of McNaught's contemps. Paradise is my favourite.
Happy New Year, may it be one filled with many great books!
TBQ and Mo - thank you and have a great New Year's too and I hope 2012 will be bright and wonderful and full of lots and lots of good books! When I read Paradise, I will be sure to review it, so you'll know what I think - it's thick! What a big book!
Happy New Year, Julie! You read some really great books this year, a few of which I've enjoyed myself in past years (I tried to take the poll but I think only LJ users can access it). I hope you find as many or more good books awaiting you in 2012.
Hi Julie
Your poll wasn't working when I got to it but I had read a surprising number of those books.
I totally agree with you about Elizabeth Hoyt, I started reading the Maiden Lane series this year and was totally hooked, glommed the four soldiers series and am eagerly awaiting Winter's story.
I'm totally hooked on Jennifer Ashley's Mackenzies as well (Ian *sigh*).
All in all it was a great year for new to me authors, Joanna Bourne, Katharine Ashe, Sarah Maclean, Miranda Neville, Ashley March, Theresa Romain.......
Happy New Year!
M-T - thanks for letting me know about the poll not working, I thought anyone could do it - darn!
Beebs - ooh- new authors for me to check out! I'm unfamiliar with Katharine Ashe, Miranda Neville, and Theresa Romain. Here's to a great year of reading in 2012!
Cheers!
Fun list and lots of good authors...looking forward to seeing what's ahead in your reading world for 2012! Wishing peace and joy to you and your family in the new year!
Joanne, I wish you the best for 2012 too! 2011 was memorable, but especially because we got to see each other in NYC and had such a blast! We've got to get away some where else again and do something fun together! Any ideas?
What are some of my reading plans this year? Tackling some Elizabeth Chadwick books that I've had on my TBR list forever and looking for some new to me historical romance authors. I also intend to read Zemindar and more Susannah Kearsley, esp. the Rose Garden which everyone is raving about!
The Rose Garden has a great ending, but nothing has replaced The Winter Sea and Mariana as my #1and #2 favorite. I know Lauren W. thought Rose Garden is her best yet. (BTW, did you see on facebook that she's engaged? Should be a fun year ahead for her.)
No I had not seen she was engaged - wonderful news - so happy for her!
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