My Top 7 Reads of 2011

Happy New Year! I'll start by saying I wish I had read more in 2011. (Besides the reading I did for classes. Which, being an English major, is quite a lot.) I read 15 books in 2011 - well, one was a play, one was a poetry collection and two were short stories. So I decided to compile a list of my Top 5.  However, it was extremely difficult to keep it down to 5 because the short stories I read were just so good. Everything on this list got my 5 star rating - one even got my 6 star rating. These are books I read in 2011, not all books that were published in 2011. Now, instead of My Top 5 Reads it is my Top 7 Reads and here it is for your pleasure.


1. The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight by L.J. Smith

I am a die-hard Vampire Diaries fan. I love this series, no matter what criticism the latest books may face. So it is safe to say The Vampire Diaries will always be on my list of Top Reads. What really keeps me coming back though, is the character of Damon Salvatore. Such a complex, complicated, intriguing character. I love him. This is the book that got my 6 star rating.

2. The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith

Just like I said above, I am a die-hard Vampire Diaries fan and I love Damon Salvatore. This one is of course on the list. Love it.


3. Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

I love this series, I think it is amazing. I love Grace and Sam. Even Isabelle and Cole. Isabelle and Cole are not always easy characters to love, but I do. Terrific, beautiful. I need to read Forever very soon. Even though I'll be devastated that the trilogy is over.

4. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Wow. That is all I have to say. Wow. Whoa. Holy crap. Great great book. Quite a book. Real and powerful. Highly recommended.

5. I don't want to be crazy by Samantha Schutz

This is a memoir written in verse. It's about the author's struggle with anxiety disorder. This was a great read and is a great read whether or not you struggle with anxiety.


6. Four Houses by Tori Scott
A lot of people for some reason have an aversion to short stories; I have never been one of them. This, however, is one of the best short stories I have ever read. I'm not going to say a lot because it is easy to give too much away. (Plus, who knows, there may be a review of this coming soon. ;) I will say this: I LOVED it!

7. Unveiled by Trisha Wolfe 
Another example of short stories not being a "waste of time". Again, I won't say too much because I don't want to give too much away (and there may be a review for this coming up too! ;) Simply wonderful! I loved it! Can't wait for her novel Destiny's Fire to come out!


These were my favorites. Did you read any of these? Or are any going to be added to your list? What were your favorites of 2011?


<3 Amanda Leigh