Top 10 of 2011: Top 10 Books

Welcome to the Top 10 of 2011, hosted by Confessions of a Bookaholic, A Life Bound by Books, fiktshun, Two Chicks on Books!!! I am very excited to participate in this weeklong event to share my faves of 2011! Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday 12/26 – Top 10 Books I’ve read in 2011
Tuesday 12/27 – Top 10 Book Covers of 2011
Wednesday 12/28 – Top 10 Book Boyfriends in 2011
Thursday 12/29 – Top 10 Characters in 2011
Friday 12/30 – Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2012

It's all very exciting, isn't it?!?!? So, here is the first Top 10 of the week:

There are my favorite books of 2011, in no particular order:

Blood Bound (Unbound #1)
by Rachel Vincent
My Review

Since I pretty much love everything Rachel Vincent writes (plus she plays Skyrim, which ups her cool points), I was excited to try her new series out. It did not disappoint! This is a must read for Vincent fans (Shifters or Soul Screamers) or anyone who loves urban fantasy.

Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1)
by Kendare Blake
My Review

I loved a YA book narrated by a male? Believe it! This is one of the best YA books I have ever read and easily in my top 10 of 2011. The plot is unique, but what makes this a favorite is Cas and Anna. They are both wonderful characters for completely different reasons.

The Hour of Dust and Ashes (Charlie Madigan #3)
by Kelly Gay
My Review

This urban fantasy series surprised the hell out of me. I love every character in the series, especially Hank and Rex. Gay incorporates paranormal and fantasy elements with alternate dimensions in a creative way, and the world building is just plain ridiculously good. Plus, did I mention Hank?






Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson #2)
by Darynda Jones

My Review

Interview with Darynda Jones

This series is hysterical, heart-wrenching, suspenseful, and sexy. Pretty much covers all the bases, right? Jones has such an original voice and her heroine, Charley, is just as original. And hellllooo Reyes!

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1)
by Tahereh Mafi
My Review

Yowza, this book was good. Mafi's writing style is unlike anything I have ever read before, and I loved every second of it! I connected with Juliette and adored Adam. A must-read for YA fans!

Shadowfever (Fever #5)
by Karen Marie Moning
Unfortunately, I read this prior to starting this blog.

I have no problem with naming this my favorite book of 2011. If you haven't read the Fever series........do you know how to read? Because the originality of the characters and the story, and the surprises along the way, will literally ruin everything else for you. Happy reading.

My Life As a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie #1)
by Diana Rowland
My Review

Of course, I was intrigued by the cover and title of this book. Thankfully, this was not a case of "pretty outside, crappy inside". Angel is an effed up character who has made some seriously bad choices in her life, but I immediately loved her and felt connected to her.

Head Rush (Disillusionists Trilogy #3)
by Carolyn Crane
My Review

Well hello, most awesome urban fantasy series. Why haven't we met sooner? I devoured this series quite recently and am pleased that I did so I can add this book to the best of 2011. For UF fans, this is a must-read with a bit of a comic book superhero kind of feel.

Shadow Heir (Dark Swan #4)
by Richelle Mead
My Review

Oh Dark Swan series, how sad I am to see you go! This book was the final installment in an awesome series. Even though Eugenie is one of those heroines that I sometimes wanted to grab and shake, I still loved her. And, of course, I adore my beloved Dorian.

Working Stiff (Revivalist #1)
by Rachel Caine
My Review

This will be a controversial pick because people either loved this or hated this. I was pleasantly surprised and really loved it. It really is more of a science fiction than an urban fantasy, but that was very refreshing for me. I enjoyed the layers to all the characters and thought they were all very well-written.