The Books of 2011

Let the Great World SpinSo many books, so little time—part five.

This was the year I embraced technology in earnest and had a number of different books going on various devices. I also experimented with going back and forth between reading and audio books, and found I liked it with some books, particularly nonfiction when the author read their own work.

I loved The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and Let the Great World Spin, by Colum McCann, both of which were book club picks. Henrietta Lacks was also the Santa Barbara Reads pick this year, and Skloot was an amazing speaker at UCSB’s free event. This started a book club tradition that we continue to try to follow by reading the SB Reads books and attending the author talks.

Ironically before I read Let the Great World Spin,  I read a bit of it aloud at the Read-a-thon for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (a great nonprofit that no longer exists). It peaked my interest and that was part of why I picked it up after that and recommended to our book club.

Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials Wiseman Rosalind
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress Janzen Rhoda
Committed Gilbert Elizabeth
Crazy for You Cruisie Julie
Before I Fall Oliver Lauren
Girl 15, Charming But Insane Limb Sue
Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog Scottoline Lisa
Freedom Franzen Jonathan
Dirty Sugar Cookies Halliday Ayun
I Remember Nothing Ephron Nora
Lipstick Jungle Bushnell Candice
Confessions of a Shoe Addict Harbison Beth
Between a Rock and a Hot Place Jackson Tracey
There Will Never Be Another You See Carolyn
Let the Great World Spin McCann Colum
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Skloot  Rebecca
Making Toast Rosenblatt Roger
Smooth Talking Stranger Kleypass Lisa
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner Meyer Stephenie
The Middle Place Corrigan Kelly
Devil’s Corner Scottoline Lisa
Stones Into Schools Mortensen Greg
Batlle Hymn of the Tiger Mother Chua Amy
Perfect Timing Mansell Jill
Lifeguard Patterson James
The Camelot Conspiracy Vincent E. Duke
Insatiable Cabot Meg
Self-Help Moore Lorrie
Courting Trouble Scottoline Lisa
Too Big to Miss Jafarian Sue Ann
As Husbands Go Isaacs Susan
I Love You More Gardner Lisa
Call Me Irresistable Philips Susan Elizabeth
Family Affair Macomber Debbie
Fly Away Home Weiner Jennifer
My Nest Isn’t Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space Scottoline Lisa
Dead Ringer Scottoline Lisa
Bossy Pants Fey Tina
The Book Thief Zusak Markus
Daddy’s Little Helper Macomber Debbie
If Looks Could Kill White Kate
Think Twice Scottoline Lisa
Orchard Valley Grooms Macomber Debbie
Steps to the Altar Fowler Earlene
Deep Dish Andrews Mary Kay
The Elegance of the Hedgehog Barbery Muriel
The Paris Wife McLain Paula
The Fixer Upper Andrews Mary Kay
Still Life Fielding Joy
Ocotillo Dreams Palacio Melinda
I Think I Love You Pearson Allison
13 Reasons Why Asher Jay
16 Lighthouse Road Macomber Debbie
Run Patchett Ann
The Card Turner Sachar Louis
92 Pacific Boulevard Macomber Debbie
Sisterhood Everlasting Brashears Ann
Indulgence in Death Robb J.D.
Vendetta Defense Scottoline Lisa
Not My Daughter Delinsky Barbara
Durable Goods Berg Elizabeth
Say When Berg Elizabeth
The Other Side Robb J.D.
Savannah Breeze Andrews Mary Kay
Home Safe Berg Elizabeth
Loop Group McMurtry Larry
The Art of Mending Berg Elizabeth
If It Was Easy, They’d Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon McCarthy Jenna
Sing You Home Piccoult Jodi
Promises to Keep Green Jane
Everywhere That Mary Went Scottoline Lisa
The Post-Birthday World Shriver Lionel
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Kaling Mindy
Flirting With Pete Delinsky Barbara
The Next Always Roberts Nora
A Christmas Carol Dickens Charles
The Year of Pleasures Berg Elizabeth
While My Sister Sleeps Delinsky Barbara

Originally posted January 4, 2012.

Click to read The Books of 2010.

Click to read The Books of 2009.

Click to read The Books of 2008.

Click to read The Books of 2007.