The Best of 2011

I kept seeing everyone posting their Top Picks for 2011 and I knew I needed to get my post ready for this.  I kept putting it off because I wanted to read as many books as I could before the deadline.  There were so many awesome books this year that there is no way I could have made a short list of books for this.  So I decided to do my list a little differently.  I couldn't just group it as Top 5 or 10 for the year.  I tried and failed miserably.  So I decided to give each selection below a certain title as to why I am including it in this post.  Not all books were released in 2011, these are just books that I have read personally in 2011.  They are also in no particular order.

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BEST EROTICA OF 2011

By The Book by Scarlett Parrish
Daniel Fucking Cross.  Any man who can have a tattooed back, wear guy liner, knows how to write AND can be so freaking sexy in bed is enough of a reason to be on this list.  Thank you to Fiction Vixen and Smexybooks for the new addiction of Scarlett Parrish.

BEST STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE OF 2011

Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith
The Escape From Furnace Series
This book blew me out of the water!  The follow up books had me drowning in scary.  I never would have picked this series up in a store if I hadn't been asked to review them.  I had just started off with my Spotlight Series books and I chose to accept this series for a month long feature.  I certainly did not expect to be chilled to the bone with the horror that this author could bring to his characters.   One of the best page gripping series in the young adult genre this year.

BEST YOUNG ADULT HORROR/THRILLER OF 2011

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
This is one that I read closer to Halloween and boy did it give me the scare factor for the holiday.  This author could send chills down your spine with a petite girl ghost and make you turn on every light in your house at night just so you can sleep.  I was captivated by the cover, but the story is what kept me up at night!

BEST INDIE BOOK OF THE YEAR OF 2011

Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine
I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  I am not a big reader of contemporary young adult but I found myself speeding through this short read.  I loved the characters and the story was written beautifully.  It was a short read, but it packed a punch to this reader.  I was so glad to have read this and I admit to reading it at least three times already this year.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will get another story featuring these characters!

The Reaping by M. Leighton
I just couldn't decide between this book and the previously mentioned one.  These two were such a close tie that I decided to use them both.  Author M. Leighton was one of the best authors to talk to and her writing proves the dedication she has in her work.  I loved Carson and was thrilled to read the conclusion of the story The Reckoning.  This story just progressed so well and left the reader with anticipation to find other books she has written.  She just so happens to be a fellow Supernatural TV freak like me as well.  We love our Winchester boys!

BEST URBAN FANTASY OF 2011

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
Again, thank you Fiction Vixen and Smexybooks for my new addiction named Barrons.  Hot damn that man can make you quiver in anticipation with just one word.  I stepped into the Fever series with hesitation because I had never read an urban fantasy series before.  What more can you say besides Barrons being the ultimate Alpha man you would want to have in your bed and defending you.  He may claim not to be the hero, but he can tattoo me anywhere, anytime and any place.  If you haven't read this series, you are crazy. Get to it and know that you will be fighting many fans over who gets to claim him as their book boyfriend. 

BEST SERIES OF 2011

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I was a little late to the party with this series.  I felt like I was the only person on the planet who hadn't read this series when Mockingjay came out.  It just didn't sound like the type of book that would interest me.  Boy was I wrong!  Katniss, Gale, Peeta, Finnick, Rue, and all of the other characters hold special places in my heart in this series.  Strength, determination, survival, love and childhood innocence stolen away threw me into a tailspin of emotions.  I cried when the story came to an end and immediately fell into a depression for the rest of the day.  Yes it was that awesome.  I convinced my parents, my daughter and my stepson to read them.  They cursed me for making them cry and they thanked me for recommending them to read as well.  Books that can mess with you emotionally for days - or a year -  afterward are what readers crave.  I still get emotional just thinking about reading them again and I honestly don't think my heart could handle reading them again anytime soon.

BEST YOUNG ADULT DEBUT OF 2011

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Is it any wonder or surprise that this book is my top pick?  If you follow me on twitter or even ask me what book to read by a debut author you will know Divergent is my recommendation.  I was intimidated at first by the sheer size of this book, but I dived into the world that Veronica Roth created and didn't come up for air until the last page.  I fell in love with Tris and her strength and found a soft spot in my heart for Four.  I am already excited to read the next book just remembering it. If you haven't read this yet, you are missing out on an amazing read.

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I also have favorites in the Romance and Paranormal genre, but there is no way to really narrow them down to just a few.  Personally, I don't see how anyone can narrow it down to what they have on their blogs.  2011 was such an amazing year for books and I am anxious to see how 2012 books are going to top my experience.  Bring it on and may you all enjoy the literature that is coming our way in the new year!