2011 - the books
Dec. 28th, 2011 11:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
orangerfulWell, I was a little too ambitious this year, setting my GoodReads goal for 11 books. I got to about 60. Lesson learned. Perhaps I'll shoot for 70 in 2012.
Anyway, here are a few highlights from my bookshelf this year (very heavy on graphic novels):
Habibi by Craig Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Beautiful artwork and story, the kind of book you want to buy so you can take a closer look at Thompson's drawings and appreciate the different levels of the stories being told. I am actually rereading Blankets right now and I can see the stylistic ideas he had while writing that and how they matured into something so amazing with Habibi. This is definitely the best graphic novel I read all year...and it might be my favorite work of fiction for 2011.
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Selznick's follow up to 'Hugo Cabret' is just as magical, with that same great mix of historical elements. Make no mistakes, this is a story for children, but the two parallel stories, one told through text, the other through Selznick's beautiful artwork, is worth looking through no matter what age you are. This would make a great book for a adult/child book club.
Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really liked the story and the artwork, a great book to get into the hands of a teen who is doing a bit of soul searching and feeling out of place. I felt Paige's voice was very realistic. My only concern is that the bands mentioned on the t-shirts will date the comic a bit. Still, gorgeous artwork that is sure to inspire the reader to pursue their own forgotten passion. And, BONUS, I got to meet the artist/author at Baltimore Comic-Con. She was a real sweetheart. Even picked up some of her original artwork.
Invincible Volume 14: The Viltrumite War by Robert Kirkman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I hadn't picked up this comic in awhile and for some reason I felt inspired to catch up. I can't believe this series is up to 70+ issues and STILL going strong! Kirkman still manages to get a few surprises in there after all these years. Still one of my favorite series.
The Influencing Machine by Brooke Gladstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great primer for anyone interested in the current issues involving journalism, the media, and new technologies. While it is short in length, the issues discussed make this the kind of book you can read for about 45 minutes and then you need to just sit and digest what you have learned.
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hilarious and touching at the same time. My favorite Young Adult novel of the year. Longer review here
Sleepwalk with Me by Mike Birbiglia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars - I've only seen one of Mike Birbiglia's stand-up specials, but it was enough to know what his voice sounded like so I could hear him as I read this collection of stories from him life. I alternated between laughing so hard I couldn't breath to wanting to give Mike a big old hug. He is just sharing his life story and being honest, and the humor comes from that honesty, not some forced punchline.
Having read this and listened to Patton Oswalt's "Zombie Spaceship Wasteland", I have to say I enjoy reading about the careers of stand-up comedians...but I'm not sure I would ever want to be one! Thanks for making me laugh, boys.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great retelling of classic Grimm fables, the snarky narrator is what really made it for me. My favorite Children's book of the year.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My favorite non-fiction book of the year.Read my full review here
Chew: Taster's Choice by John Layman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I devoured this trade in one sitting *harharhar*
When I picked it up, I knew the basic plot - that Agent Chu could eat something and tell you it's past, so when a body shows up murdered he ends up having to "chew" on them. But what I didn't know was the weird, alternate world he existed in, where a bird flu epidemic caused poultry prohibition, elevating the F.D.A. from paper-pushers to enforcers.
The cartoony style of the artwork makes some of the nastier seems more bearable, and the great mix of mystery and humor kept me reading into the late hours of the night. Like any good "pilot episode", the story appears simple enough on the surface, but by the last few pages, you start to learn about the bigger conspiracy that will keep Chu working - and you reading - for many more issues.
An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars - Written in Steve Martin's unique voice, this story was a bit more difficult for me to read than his previous novels, probably because I am completely unfamiliar with the world of fine art and art collecting. But I kept reading because it was a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain into a place I will never go.
Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book really surprised me, even after reading all of the very positive reviews. I don't usually enjoy realistic teen fiction, especially one that lacks in any action, but something about Blake's voice make me want to keep reading. It's a bittersweet story about love and all of it's complications. But not just romantic love but the love between a young adult and his parents, his brother, and a friend who happens to be a girl. Full review here
They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Read my full review here
In Captivity by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series is just GREAT! If you have not picked it up, go find it. There are 3 volumes out now and each one is full of lots of WTF OMG moments of plot twisted-ness.
Anyway, here are a few highlights from my bookshelf this year (very heavy on graphic novels):
Habibi by Craig ThompsonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Beautiful artwork and story, the kind of book you want to buy so you can take a closer look at Thompson's drawings and appreciate the different levels of the stories being told. I am actually rereading Blankets right now and I can see the stylistic ideas he had while writing that and how they matured into something so amazing with Habibi. This is definitely the best graphic novel I read all year...and it might be my favorite work of fiction for 2011.
Wonderstruck by Brian SelznickMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Selznick's follow up to 'Hugo Cabret' is just as magical, with that same great mix of historical elements. Make no mistakes, this is a story for children, but the two parallel stories, one told through text, the other through Selznick's beautiful artwork, is worth looking through no matter what age you are. This would make a great book for a adult/child book club.
Page by Paige by Laura Lee GulledgeMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really liked the story and the artwork, a great book to get into the hands of a teen who is doing a bit of soul searching and feeling out of place. I felt Paige's voice was very realistic. My only concern is that the bands mentioned on the t-shirts will date the comic a bit. Still, gorgeous artwork that is sure to inspire the reader to pursue their own forgotten passion. And, BONUS, I got to meet the artist/author at Baltimore Comic-Con. She was a real sweetheart. Even picked up some of her original artwork.
Invincible Volume 14: The Viltrumite War by Robert KirkmanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I hadn't picked up this comic in awhile and for some reason I felt inspired to catch up. I can't believe this series is up to 70+ issues and STILL going strong! Kirkman still manages to get a few surprises in there after all these years. Still one of my favorite series.
The Influencing Machine by Brooke GladstoneMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great primer for anyone interested in the current issues involving journalism, the media, and new technologies. While it is short in length, the issues discussed make this the kind of book you can read for about 45 minutes and then you need to just sit and digest what you have learned.
Beauty Queens by Libba BrayMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hilarious and touching at the same time. My favorite Young Adult novel of the year. Longer review here
Sleepwalk with Me by Mike BirbigliaMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars - I've only seen one of Mike Birbiglia's stand-up specials, but it was enough to know what his voice sounded like so I could hear him as I read this collection of stories from him life. I alternated between laughing so hard I couldn't breath to wanting to give Mike a big old hug. He is just sharing his life story and being honest, and the humor comes from that honesty, not some forced punchline.
Having read this and listened to Patton Oswalt's "Zombie Spaceship Wasteland", I have to say I enjoy reading about the careers of stand-up comedians...but I'm not sure I would ever want to be one! Thanks for making me laugh, boys.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam GidwitzMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great retelling of classic Grimm fables, the snarky narrator is what really made it for me. My favorite Children's book of the year.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura HillenbrandMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
My favorite non-fiction book of the year.Read my full review here
Chew: Taster's Choice by John LaymanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I devoured this trade in one sitting *harharhar*
When I picked it up, I knew the basic plot - that Agent Chu could eat something and tell you it's past, so when a body shows up murdered he ends up having to "chew" on them. But what I didn't know was the weird, alternate world he existed in, where a bird flu epidemic caused poultry prohibition, elevating the F.D.A. from paper-pushers to enforcers.
The cartoony style of the artwork makes some of the nastier seems more bearable, and the great mix of mystery and humor kept me reading into the late hours of the night. Like any good "pilot episode", the story appears simple enough on the surface, but by the last few pages, you start to learn about the bigger conspiracy that will keep Chu working - and you reading - for many more issues.
An Object of Beauty by Steve MartinMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars - Written in Steve Martin's unique voice, this story was a bit more difficult for me to read than his previous novels, probably because I am completely unfamiliar with the world of fine art and art collecting. But I kept reading because it was a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain into a place I will never go.
Flash Burnout by L.K. MadiganMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book really surprised me, even after reading all of the very positive reviews. I don't usually enjoy realistic teen fiction, especially one that lacks in any action, but something about Blake's voice make me want to keep reading. It's a bittersweet story about love and all of it's complications. But not just romantic love but the love between a young adult and his parents, his brother, and a friend who happens to be a girl. Full review here
They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group by Susan Campbell BartolettiMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Read my full review here
In Captivity by Jeff LemireMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series is just GREAT! If you have not picked it up, go find it. There are 3 volumes out now and each one is full of lots of WTF OMG moments of plot twisted-ness.
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Date: 2011-12-29 02:54 pm (UTC)