At a KidLit Meetup this week, I was raving about the latest book that kept me turning pages all night, and I just couldn’t shut up about it. The writing, the voice, the romance. I was literally fanning myself while telling people, “Oh. My. God! You have to read this book!”
My problem is that there are so many delicious books out there. I feel like I can never get to them all. By the time I’ve finished one, ten more books swoop into its place in my TBR list. I try to keep current and read lots of new books, but this particular book came out in 2010, and even though I’d also heard great things about it, I hadn’t gotten to it until now.
With that in mind, my list of faves for the year includes both new books from 2011 as well as ones I just hadn’t gotten to yet. The thing they have in common is that every book on this list made me rave like a lunatic, of the “Oh. My. God! You have to read this book!” ilk.
Hope you love them, or will love them, or have your own to rave about. Please share your faves below!
Young Adult
IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma. The title and the cover immediately grabbed me, and as soon as I started this book, I had to know what happened. This book took me places I couldn’t have imagined, with an absolutely unique voice and a plot that stretched the boundaries of reality.
PLAIN KATE by Erin Bow. This also came out in 2010, and the combination of beautiful writing and fairy-tale setting grabbed my attention from the very beginning. A girl without a shadow? A talking cat? Yes, please.
STOLEN by Lucy Christopher. This gripping story also kept me up turning pages. Beyond the constant tension, the unique second-person telling added an amazing emotional element that I didn’t expect.
THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson. This is the one that kept me up all night this week. If you’ve read it, you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, run to the bookstore! So good!
Middle Grade
NOWHERE GIRL by A. J. Paquette. A coming-of-age adventure set in Thailand–sign me up! This story is both beautifully-written and a page-turner to the very end.
PETER NIMBLE AND HIS FANTASTIC EYES by Jonathan Auxier. This book had me with its title, seriously. Then once I started reading, the incredible imagination of the author had me following along with my mouth dropped open half the time. Fans of Lemony Snicket will love this book.
PICTURE BOOKS
*these are the newest books my four-year-old twins ask for again and again
WINK: THE NINJA WHO WANTED TO NAP by J. C. Phillipps. We also have another WINK book, and my girls love both of them–everything from the colorful artwork to the active antics of their favorite ninja.
EL FANDANGO DE LOLA by Anna Witte. (English version also available at Barefoot Books: LOLA’S FANDANGO) My girls could not love this book more–about a little Spanish girl like them who learns to dance flamenco.
I loved Stolen as well – gorgeously written. Another favorite was Beauty Queens – so smart, irreverent, and funny! My list is huge and you’ve just made it huger!
Reblogged this on Inspiredweightloss.
I like your likes.
I’d add WHEN YOU REACH ME to the MG.
I love “fave reads” posts! One of the best things at the end of every year. 🙂
I LOVED Imaginary Girls and The Sky is Everywhere! Both so awesome. I have Plain Kate on my TBR list, and will have to add Stolen, as well. And I will have to write my own fave reads post! (Too bad there are still SO MANY books that I won’t get to this year. I just can’t keep up with them.) One that I will definitely add is Sara Zarr’s How to Save a Life (contemp YA).
Oooh, I really want to read the other books people are adding here! Keep it up!