2011 was a great year, reading- and otherwise! I did read 78 books, which is 13 more than my goal of 65 (which I never thought I’d reach in the first place!) I’m going to take a look at some of my favourites this years.
I did not quite manage to count the number of pages I read – and counting them now, knowing I read 78 books is nearly impossible.
Genres read in 2011: Fantasy, comic fantasy, horror, gothic fiction, satire, historical fiction, dystopian, classic fiction, science fiction, mystery/thrillers.
Top Reads of 2011 (in the order I read them):
3. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
6. Helter Skelter – The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi
9. The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H. P. Lovecraft
(two special mentions)
11. Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett
12. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Apart from reading new genres, I tried out different forms of books like plays, essays, short stories and even audiobooks; I turned into quite a reviewer for some part of the year; and I believe I spent the most on books in 2011.
Best Gifts of 2011 (also review copies and giveaway wins – basically, books I didn’t have to pay for!) : Thanks to all those who gave me these (you know who you are!)
1. Tales of Beedle the Bard, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages by J. K. Rowling
2. The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald
3. 11.22.63 by Stephen King
4. The Clown by Heinrich Boell
5. Children of the Street by Kwei Quartey
I gave a bunch of book-gifts myself (like The ultimate Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy collection by Douglas Adams to my sis and Nicholas Sparks’s Message in the Bottle to a friend.)
I will also put up a favourite characters of 2011 post, it’s in my drafts – but it’s getting too late and I’m sleepy now – the first day of 2012 is already over and I’m loving the new year. I do hope you guys have just as wonderful a year!
Tabula Rasa 
May I first congratulate you on your blog's new look? I LOVE it! 😀
As regards what you've read in 2011…only three or four sound familiar to me. I'm planning on reading The Book Thief this year…hopefully this month or the next. I read The Great Gatsby last year too, and really liked it!
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Wow 78 is a great number , so what is the target for 2012?
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78!! Thats Amazing … This year Goal??
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Risa – Thanks, I was looking for a nicer permanent look, and this goes well for a bookish blog, don't you think?
I liked the Great Gatsby too; and a lot of people must have probably said the same to you, but you should really read The Book Thief, it is pretty great.
Abhinav – I did set a goal of "100 books" for the Goodreads Challenge 2012, let's see how many I do actually read! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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I forgot about Helter Skelter! I read that book when I was in high school and wrote like a 20-page paper on it… good times, lol.
Great list! Happy New Year!
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Sarah – A paper? Wow, sounds like fun. I still have the half-finished review in my drafts!! Thanks for stopping by!
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I am late in commenting. You seem to have had a wonderful reading year in 2011. Congratulations! 78 books is really awesome! Your top reads list is awesome! I have read 'Shadow of the Wind' and 'On Writing' and both of them are awesome! Looking forward to reading your reviews this year. Also, can't wait to hear your thoughts on 11.22.63 🙂
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Vishy – Thanks! I have boldly set a goal of 100 books for this year, I don't think I can manage quite so many… On Writing really is awesome; actually all Stephen King books I read last year were awesome, but I just couldn't list them all down, could I? I just posted a review of 11.22.63, look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!!
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That is wonderful, Priya! I am sure you can hit a century this year 🙂 Wish you all the very best! We will cheer you all the way!
We are thinking of reading Stephen King's 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption' for book club 🙂 I am off to read your review of '11.22.63' now.
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