Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Armchair BEA: Best of 2011

Welcome, Welcome! I unfortunately didn't have the time to get a giveaway together this year (school and then vacation). 


So, I know this post isn't going to be as fun as some other Armchair BEA posts today, but I'll give it my best shot! I'm going to give you a list of my favorite books that I have read this year for the first time (either new to me in 2011 or 2011 debuts). I'm not going to include re-reads. In no particular order, here we go:
1. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. This was my first time venturing into this dystopian series and I was very pleased. Westerfeld has a brilliant way of weaving real societal issues into his novels without it seeming like he is teaching a lesson. My Review.


2. Gone by Michael Grant. Can you imagine if everyone over the age of 14 disappeared from the world? And then the remaining kids started to develop powers? I would have probably just sat there and cried. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. My Review.


3. Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt. The first meeting with Grady the Goth had me laughing out loud. Plus, Sean Griswold is totally crush worthy. My Review.


4. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner. These books ALWAYS keep me guessing. Just when you think nothing worse can happen... it does.


5. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter. My first journey into Greek mythology books--I'm so glad. My Review.


6. Lockdown: Escape from Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith. Furnace is a terrifying place. Many of these boys are framed and have to live their entire lives in a prison underground. Terrifying. My Review.


7. The Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard. These books are such a guilty pleasure for me. Be prepared to see a couple Pretty Little Liars posts in the next couple of weeks as I am working with Warner Brothers to promote Season 1 on DVD! Woo!


8. Exposed by Kimberly Marcus. This was a really heavy, but quick, read. I could just feel the main character's life going into a downward spiral and I couldn't help but feel what she was feeling.


9. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini. This book pretty much blew me away. I was completely engrossed in it and it was the perfect companion for a road trip. Thank you, The Goddess Test, for getting me into Greek mythology books. Otherwise, I would not have found Starcrossed.


10. Suck It, Wonder Woman!: The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek by Olivia Munn. I listened to this one in audiobook format and I think that really made it. Listening to someone tell these types of tales is great!


There you go! It's quite the variety of books...YA, dystopian, contemporary, autobiography, and mythology. I hope you can find something in here that you like! Everyone except for Starcrossed has been released already, so they are all ripe for the picking. 


What are your favorite 2011 reads so far? Let me know in the comments!
     
Brought to you by Unknown at 10:00 AM
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32 comments:

  1. JanaMay 24, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    LOVED Sean Griswold's head. He is totally crushworthy. Yum.

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  2. Angela @ Reading AngelsMay 24, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    I LOVED Uglies and The Goddess Test. The rest are sitting on my TBR, impatiently waiting for their turn ;)

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  3. BexMay 24, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Oh, I actually recognise many of these! So glad you've liked them all, espeically since many of them are on my to-read list. Haha. :)

    My top 5 "Best Of 2011" books!

    Rebecca @ kindle fever

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  4. FiktshunMay 24, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Wow, it is a wide variety of books. I'm still envious of you for being able to narrow it down to 10. (Am going to head over to check out your review of Sean Griswold's Head. Haven't read it but I heard good things.)

    I loved Uglies, but then it kept getting darker and darker. I still have to read the last one. But it was a weighty group of books to read back-to-back. I would not want to be a part of that dystopian future.

    And I loved The Goddess Test too :) - would love to hear what top ten books you are waiting for!

    Love your top 10 picks!

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  5. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    @Jana

    He really is! Such a nice guy :)

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  6. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    @Reading Angel

    My TBR shelf is out of control! (Both the physical one and the virtual one on Goodreads). So many books, so little time.

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  7. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    @bex

    I've read so many good books recently! I'll come check out yours in a bit :)

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  8. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    @Fiktshun

    It was hard to narrow it down to 10!

    I've only read Uglies and Pretties so far. You're right, it is hard to read them back to back. I will get to the other two soon. :)

    I'm going to sit down and make a list of books I'm looking forward to in a bit here!

    Thanks for visiting!

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  9. ham1299May 24, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    That is an awesome variety! I have read only one of these - Starcrossed. The Goddess Test is on my TBR list, as are a couple of others. And, of course, I'll be adding to my list now, too! ;-)

    Thanks for visiting!

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  10. Logan E. TurnerMay 24, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    I saw Olivia Munn's book in the bookstore the other day and almost bought it. Now I wish I had! Awesome picks.

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  11. danyaMay 24, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Yay, Uglies! I'm glad to see that series is still getting some love :) And practically every review I've read of Sean Griswold's Head says that it's awesomely cute and fun, so I am going to have to get my hands on it!

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  12. Felicia the Geeky BloggerMay 24, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    I think alot of people loved Uglies!

    I want to read Olivia Munn's book, it looks really good!

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  13. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    @ham1299

    I hope you enjoy The Goddess Test! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  14. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    @Logan E. Turner

    I really liked Olivia Munn's book as an audiobook--my friend just started reading it from a regular book and is enjoying it as well!

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  15. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    @danya

    I have no idea why I didn't read Uglies before! Sean Griswold's Head was super cute. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  16. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    @Felicia the Geeky Blogger

    I would definitely recommend Olivia Munn's book! It reminded me a lot of Chelsea Handler's books :)

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  17. Michelle Stockard MillerMay 24, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Great list! There are several there that sound good. I'm getting Uglies from BookMooch soon.

    Thanks for stopping by today. =O)

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  18. AnonymousMay 24, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Sean Griswold's Head is such a cute book. Great choice! I want to read Gone and Uglies soon too - they have been on my list for awhile.

    Happy reading!

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  19. ChachicMay 24, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    LOL I haven't read any books from your list either! Although I think I have The Goddess Test from NetGalley so hopefully I'll be able to get to that soon.

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  20. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    @Michelle @ The True Book Addict

    Hope you enjoy Uglies! I'm such a huge fan of dystopian now.

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  21. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    @thereadingdate

    I need to read the rest of the Gone series--I'm way behind! Thanks for visiting :)

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  22. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    @Chachic

    Got to love NetGalley! :)

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  23. Lindsay Cummings authorMay 24, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    love your books you chose! i'm a GFC follower of your blog now!

    mine are mostly dystopians! check out my list and follow me back?! =]

    http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/

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  24. UnknownMay 24, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    @LindsayWrites

    So sweet! I'm definitely coming to check out your blog :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  25. Monica CorwinMay 24, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    OH I need to read The Goddess Test. THanks for stopping by my blog and linking, made that so much easier :) Can't wait to see what else you have in store for ArmchairBEA

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  26. Jess (The Cozy Reader)May 25, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Awesome list! A few of these are favs of mine too!

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  27. AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    I'm loving seeing everyone's favorites today. I've heard of some of these but haven't read any of them yet.

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  28. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    @Monica

    I hope you enjoy The Goddess Test!

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  29. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    @Jess (The Cozy Reader)

    Thanks so much for visiting!

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  30. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    @carolsnotebook

    It was fun checking out everyone's favorites :)

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  31. ibeeegMay 25, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    A interesting list of books. I have not read Gone but it does reside in home. Starcrossed is one fantastic book, and I am seeing it pop up on many favorite lists; it almost made it to mine. The Goddess Test interests me greatly. I need to read James Dashner's books; The Maze Runner is staring at me from my "I gonna read that book in the next month" pile.

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  32. UnknownMay 26, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    @ibeeeg

    You should really check out Gone--it's a long read, but really good! Ohh definitely check out The Maze Runner as well. It's different than any dystopian/apocalyptic book I have read.

    ReplyDelete

Comment away, my friends. I love to chat with you guys. :)

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