A Year’s Worth of Books: What I Read in 2011
In case you’d like some book recommendations, I thought I’d share with you what I read in 2011. It’s quite a lot after all. I particularly enjoyed Young Adult novels last year. I found them gripping and wildly entertaining. I like the kind of book that impossible to put down and Young Adult novels usually provided that for me.
I read lots of series. I tend to get obsessed with books and I like when the story isn’t over after just one book, so I deliberately searched for stories that offered more than one book.
Several of these series already had a head start on me with many books to offer, while others left me with much to look forward to in 2012 as the authors release their sequels.
If you would like to see my ratings of the books, check out my Goodreads profile. I have a whole shelf devoted to my 2011 books. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I enjoyed them all for different reasons.
Note: I read a few more than listed here but they either didn’t earn a mention or they weren’t part of a series.
Heroes of Olympus
Book 1: The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan
Book 2: The Son of Neptune, by Rick Riordan
The Iron Fey
Book 1: The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa
Book 1.5: Winter’s Passage, by Julie Kagawa
Book 2: The Iron Daughter, by Julie Kagawa
Book 3: The Iron Queen, by Julie Kagawa
Book 3.5: Summer’s Crossing, by Julie Kagawa
The Mortal Instruments
Book 1: City of Bones, by Cassandra Clare
Book 2: City of Ashes, by Cassandra Clare
Book 3: City of Glass, by Cassandra Clare
Book 4: City of Fallen Angels, by Cassandra Clare
The Infernal Devices
Book 1: Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare
Book 2: Clockwork Prince, by Cassandra Clare
The Chronicles of Nick
Book 1: Infinity: The Chronicles of Nick, by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Book 2: Invincible: The Chronicles of Nick, by Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Book 1: The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by Carrie Ryan
Book 2: The Dead-Tossed Waves, by Carrie Ryan
Book 3: The Dark and Hollow Places, by Carrie Ryan
The Seven Kingdoms
Book 1: Graceling, by Kristin Cashore
Book 2: Fire, by Kristin Cashore
The Wolves of Mercy Falls
Book 1: Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater
Book 2: Linger, by Maggie Stiefvater
Book 3: Forever, by Maggie Stiefvater
The Trylle Trilogy
Book 1: Switched, by Amanda Hocking
Book 2: Torn, by Amanda Hocking
Book 3: Ascend, by Amanda Hocking
Matched
Book 1: Matched, by Ally Condie
Book 2: Crossed, by Ally Condie
Maze Runner
Book 1: The Maze Runner, by James Dashner
Book 2: The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner
Razorland
Book 1: Enclave, by Ann Aguirre
Delirium
Book 1: Delirium, by Lauren Oliver
The Chemical Garden Trilogy
Book 1: Wither, by Lauren DeStefano
Divergent
Book 1: Divergent, by Veronica Roth
What books did you enjoy in 2011?
Kayleen says
I am in the middle of The Declaration series!!! It seems you would like it because it is somewhat similar to some of the series you have posted!!!!! There are three books in the series: The Declaration, The Resistance and The Legacy!! They were written by Gemma Malley!!!
Terrie Andrews says
Hi Katie,
I somehow came across your site while searching Pinterest. I love books! I am a retired first grade teacher and really miss some of the picture books. I also have a daughter that has just written a book you might enjoy. It is called “Shadow Reader.” It is a urban fantasy about the fae. She is now writing the next book. She is having a harder time with it because she just became the mother to my wonderful twin grandsons.
Just thought I would give you another book to put on your list. Check it out in Good Read.
Renee says
I haven’t a clue as to what books I’ve read over the year, maybe this year I’ll keep track of that? Anyways, I’m in love with your list and now have added yet even more to my already unending list. Thank you.
Jen at The Three Little Piglets says
I really liked Shiver, but I haven’t gotten around to the sequels yet… there’s always this year right?!
Tickled Red says
What a great list! Some of these Patch has been looking at so I’ll let him know that you liked them. Happy New Year dear 😀
TheGourmetCoffeeGuy says
A very interesting list of books, reading series is fun, particularly when the first book is engaging and you don’t want it to end! Thank you for sharing your insights.
Kelly @ Kelly Be Well says
My favorites of 2011 were the Fallen series (young adult), the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (paranormal romance..make no mistake..these are definitively raunchy!), The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick (her Sea Witches series is supposed to be awesome as well), the Hunger Games series, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Mill River Recluse, and The Winter Sea.
Several of those I actually picked up as cheapies for my Kindle. 🙂
Amanda says
The Winter Sea was a great surprise find. I hadn’t heard of it but picked it up anyway. Super good!
Double Dipped Life says
Great list! I loved the Matched series, and can’t wait for the 3rd! I also “friended” you on goodreads! (Krista)
Rebecca says
This is a great list, thank you. I remember your dystopian list, and have been tracking down books from that one. Just added a TON to my wishlists…
Kayla says
You should check out Maria V. Snyder’s Magic Series and Glass series. Both very good!
Amanda says
I was going to suggest the same thing! My local small bookstore knows what kind of books I like and they HIGHLY recommended the Study series to me. I devoured them. My roommate devoured them next. Then I proceeded to buy everything she’s written! (The Glass series and her new release, Touch of Power).
Katie, with your interest in fantasy and YA, you definitely need to check her out. I’m going to send you a recommendation through Goodreads 😉
Nancy @ Rivertree Kitchen says
I’m just about to start Divergent. The Hunger Games series is fantastic–as good as Harry Potter, though very different in plot and style. I just finished Daughter of Smoke and Bone, the first in what promises to be a series. I’ll definitely read the second book. (I belong to a YA book club.)
Ashley H says
We have the exact same taste in books from what see -=D I absolutely LOVED The MOrtal Insyruments series!! Hands down my favorite I*ve ever read!!!
Christy says
I just started Hunger Games, and I’m enjoying it. I had no interest in it until I saw that just about everyone online loved it. I’ve read the first two books of The Song of Ice and Fire, I paused in the middle of book three for Hunger Games. I have also read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series and loved it even with it’s over the top goofieness.
I really appreciate these recs. As soon as I’m done with Hunger Games I either have to go back to ASoI&F or start one of these. I can’t wait to see where I go.
Katie says
I haven’t heard of The Song of Ice and Fire or Sookie Stackhouse. I’ll have to take a look at both. For a long time I didn’t want to read Hunger Games because people would always say the premise was about kids killing kids…which after you’ve read the book that makes sense, but it’s about so much more. That series is one of my favorites of all time now!
Susan says
Im reading the series “The Song of Ice and Fire” right now! It is amazing! Im in the middle of book four right now and cant wait to get to book 5! After looking at the list of books you read in 2011, I think you will really enjoy this series! Hunger Games is next on my list to read after that.
Karly says
We seem to have the same taste in books. I’m a huge fan of dystopian YA series! Off to check out a few of these…
Alli says
Thank you so much for the recs! I remember reading your last dystopian YA post and downloading (and loving) all of them. Have you read the Birthmarked trilogy by Caragh O’Brien? It’s kind of in the same vein and is awesome as well (but I’m going crazy waiting for Book 3 to come out, so maybe wait until it does to get started lol).
Katie says
I have not read Birthmarked yet, but that series is on my list. I have suggested it to the library because they don’t have it yet, but I might get impatient enough and just buy the book. It sounds really good! On the other hand, I do love to read a series after all the books are out because there is no waiting and it is always fun to devour several in a row.
Stephanie says
I just finished “Delirium.” Creative premise, but I was disappointed by the quality of the writing and the character development.
“Divergent” is on my library list.
Also, I’m in the middle of an excellent book – “Quo vadis.” Fascinating.