Saturday, 31 December 2011

2011 A Year in Books

I wasn't planning on writing a wrap up post, but after having read a few other lists, it got me to thinking. What were the best books I'd read this year? It's interesting to look back and wonder. These are the dozen titles that I gave 5 stars to on Goodreads this year, generally gushed about here, and remembered fondly.

Michael Leunig has still got it



Jackie French Nanberry

Martine Murray The Slightly True Story of Cedar B Hartley

Brian Selznick The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Jackie French Flood 

Shaun Tan The Lost Thing (coincidentally my most popular post by a mile)

John Baxter Immoveable Feast A Paris Christmas (a book I loved so much I did two blog posts about it #1 and #2)

Fred Gipson Old Yeller

Lonely Planet Paris Not for Parents

All the 13 things children should know series that I've read so far.

I started listening to audio books in the car this year when my commute time tripled (from 4 minutes to 15!), I've been listening to nonfiction, and a few of these really won over my affections.

Tim Flannery Country

Dawn French Dear Fatty

Jim Leavesley Mere Mortals

I'm pretty pleased with myself that a full 50% of these books are Australian! Also pretty pleased with the diversity. Fiction. Nonfiction. YA. Picture books. Adult books. Interesting to note that no adult fiction made my list. I hope to remedy that next year. The TBR always looms large.

I really enjoyed participating in the Foodies Reading Challenge and Wondrous Word Wednesdays memes this year. I've learnt so much from these activites, and made new online friends. I look forward to continuing both next year.

Another 5 star discovery this year:
Mango Pancakes!
Yum cha dessert used to be easy. Mango Pudding. No decision. Now I discover Mango Pancakes! Pudding? Pancakes? Such a dilemma!
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7 comments:

  1. bermudaonion31 December 2011 at 00:26

    I loved The Lost Thing too, but read it in 2010. I really want to read The Invention of Hugo Cabret after reading Wonderstruck this year. Great list!

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  2. Louise31 December 2011 at 00:33

    Thanks Kathy. I really want to read Wonderstruck after I read Hugo Cabret this year! Indeed I've already bought it and placed it in the TBR mountain.

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  3. Kath Lockett31 December 2011 at 01:31

    Top effort that half of them are Australian - you've given me a lot of books to put on my ever-growing 'will find and read' list.

    Happy new year!

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  4. Anonymous31 December 2011 at 14:30

    Great post Louise ... all the best for 2012. Maybe we'll get up to Orange this year. I am so itching to hit the road though our first trip will have to be south.

    And, do tell me more about Mango Pancakes.

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  5. Anonymous31 December 2011 at 14:30

    Great post Louise ... all the best for 2012. Maybe we'll get up to Orange this year. I am so itching to hit the road though our first trip will have to be south.

    And, do tell me more about Mango Pancakes.

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  6. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)1 January 2012 at 05:50

    I haven't read any of your top books. But that's what's so great about the year end lists, I get to find more good books. And those mango pancakes look AWESOME. I love pancakes and fruit inside just makes them better.

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  7. Louise13 January 2012 at 08:36

    There's always so much to put on the TBR isn't there Kath. I know I'll never get through mine, but I will die trying.

    We'd love to see you up here this year Sue. Hopefully we'll get to Canberra in the next few months. I'd like to catch that Renaissance exhibition before it finishes. Mango pancakes are more like thin crepes (probably wheat, not sure), filled with a mixture of cream and mango pieces. Delicious. I do think mango pudding probably wins out, but a new mango dessert is always great.

    Leslie- it is always wonderful to learn of more and more fascinating books. And fascinating desserts too!

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