1. 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern
1. 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern
Knopf Doubleday
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a debut novel that carried a lot of buzz.The movie rights were sold to the makers of the Twilightfilms before the book was even released. Morgenstern's story of two competing magicians was one of my favorite books of the year, and would be especially good for people who like some fantasy an romance in their novels.
2. 'State of Wonder' by Ann Patchett
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett isn't just a novel by a literary darling; it's a captivating story that most readers would enjoy.
- State of Wonder by Ann Patchett - Book Review
3. 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs
Quirk Books
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs is a young adult novel inspired by real, old photos of children. The novel is mysterious without becoming frightful. It is a fast read that young and old alike can enjoy.
- Read a complete review of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
4. 'Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother' by Amy Chua
Penguin Group
Amy Chua received a lot of media attention for Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, a memoir of her experience implementing the "Chinese style of parenting" with her children. While many people won't agree with her parenting style, Chua's story is told with wit and humor and will make you think about what you believe about good parenting.
- Read a complete review of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
5. 'In the Garden of Beasts' by Erik Larson
Crown
Erik Larson uses diaries, newspapers and a variety of other sources to tell the stories of individuals who are lesser known but historically important. In In the Garden of Beasts, Larson follows American diplomat William Dodd and his family, who lived in Germany just before the outbreak of World War II. Through the Dodds, Larson draws readers into what was happening during the birth of Nazi Germany.
- Read a complete review of In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
- In the Garden of Beasts Book Club Discussion Questions
6. 'Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness' by Alexandra Fuller
Penguin
Alexandra Fuller's has written family memoirs before. Her latest,Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness, recounts her childhood in Africa, combining sweet and hard stories in a way that shouldn't be missed.
7. 'Iron House' by John Hart
Thomas Dunne Books
John Hart's summer literary thriller, Iron House, is a great pick for those looking for one of the best page turners of 2011. One caveat -- some scenes in Iron House are graphically violent, so this is a book for those who don't mind some violence with their suspense.
- Read a complete review of Iron House by John Hart to see if it is right for you.
8. 'A Discovery of Witches' by Deborah Harkness
Viking
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is a debut novel that fills the ongoing thirst for vampire romance. Harkness certainly isn't the first to write about vampires, witches and other supernatural creatures in recent years, but she does so with her own twists, making readers hungry for the next book in this trilogy.
- Read a complete review of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
- A Discovery of Witches Book Club Discussion Questions
9. 'If Jack's in Love' by Stephen Wetta
Amy Einhorn Books
If Jack's in Love by Stephen Wetta is another debut novel not to miss. It has not received as much press as some other debuts, but it is both laugh out loud funny and dark by turns, written with the deep passion of a new writer. This is a family story and murder mystery.
10. 'Moonwalking with Einstein' by Joshua Foer
Penguin Press
Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer is the true story of how Foer went from a journalist covering the National Memory Championship one year to winning it the next year. Each chapter is also an overview of memory science, psychology and memory techniques. This is good nonfiction for those who want conversation fodder.
- Read a complete review of Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer
- Moonwalking with Einstein Book Club Discussion Questions
Source : about.com
This is a terrific list. I made of reading list at the Book Group Registry and linked back to the original source: Top 10 Books of 2011 by Erin Collazo Miller http://aslg.us/Xvs4G
ReplyDeleteA place where everyone can make their own reading list: http://www.BookGroupRegistry.com