Faves of 2011 (so far) - Round One: The Books

Alright, so Nomes @ Inkcrush is running this awesome survey about the best books of 2011 so far, and I decided to join. Now, my only particular rule for this survey is that I shall talk about books I read for the first time during 2011, regardless of the year they were first published.

Now, onto the categories!

1. favourite book read so far in 2011:
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta - because it's just too good for words. Melina Marchetta is one of those authors that you can trust your heart to, she always delivers and amazing story and great characters.

2. most powerful book:
The Piper's Son as well as Good Oil by Laura Buzo, both books left me aching for weeks and I couldn't get them out of my head, plus they are so realistic. Shout out for If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman

3. brilliantly funny:
Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer - Might sound weird since this book was first published in 1944, but this story made me snort and laugh uncontrollably, which only goes to show you that when something is really funny, it doesn't matter how old it is. Special mention to The Ghost and The Goth, because I love how mean/funny Alona is, and to The Lonely Heart's Club by Elizabet Eulberg because Penny was just such a Beatles nut.

4. best ache-y, heart-breaking, tear-jerker read: 

If I Stay/Where She Went by Gail Forman, I think I went through half a box of Kleenex when I was reading these two books, and I even had to take a break between them because it was just a bit hard for my fragile psyche. And the Texas Trilogy by Lorraine Heath, each book tells the story of one of the brothers - Dallas, Houston and Austin - as they find the courage to love and it's just sad but hopeful all around.

5. most beautiful story:
For me, it has to be The Piper's Son again. The things the Finch-Mackee family goes through, the fact that it had me in tears one second and laughing the next, the fact that you could just feel the love these people had for each other leaping out of the page... it was simply beautiful.

 
6. delicious rainy day comfort read:
Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis - This book is magical, lighthearted, has an adorable protagonist and is about sisters loving-though-not-always-liking each other. I loved getting to know the mischievous Kat and going with her in her adventures.

7. adrenalin-fuelled, unputdownable award:

I've actually been very mellow this year with my reading, at least so far - so, nothing yet!

8. the beautiful prose award:
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley - because it's such a great story about being lost and finally found, about loving and accepting yourself, even if you're a mess because that's just who you are.

9. most atmospheric and vivid setting:
Kat, Incorrigible - set in 1803, the author does a great job at putting you in the time and place, with the outfits, the restrictions of lady-like behavior and the limited options the Stephenson sisters had in life. And also, Friday's Child - it's set in Regency England and you totally feel it, the speech, the outfits and the attitudes of the people in the book put you there.

 
10. i-so-want-to-go-there award:

I'm not sure I get this category, but if it means a book that made me want to go somewhere then I'm going to say Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins because it made me want to go to England and run around around London and explore a big, ole, creepy house in the countryside!

11. most original and imaginative:
The False Princess, because Eilis O'Neal created an amazing and unique world full of magic, deceptions and peril, and I loved every bit of it.

12. best under-appreciated, hidden gem book:
Good Oil by Laura Buzo and Starfish Sisters by J. C. Burke - I hadn't heard about either of those until I began to look for books for the Aussie YA Reading Challenge, but both books are choke-full of amazing, vivid characters and great story telling.

13. i-had-no-idea-i-would-love this-so award:
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacy Kade, as I had original dismissed this book due to the fact that I was having a bit of a paranormal overload, but there was so much more to this book, and I'm loving it.  Also,  The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal, I usually don't read that much fantasy but I fell in love with this world and these characters.

14. most haunting story: 

Where She Went by Gayle Forman, mostly because sometimes I still find myself thinking about Adam and Mia, just out of the blue they jump into my thoughts.

15. outside my comfort zone but gosh how i loved it:
The Art of Forgetting by Camile Noe Pagan - It's more chick-lit than romance and I often have trouble loving chick lit so I tend to avoid it, but I really liked this story. It's more adult than my usual, definitely contemporary and a lovely read.

16. series that i’m loving:

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins- Demonglass was the second book of the series and it was full of action, secrets and fun, plus, two totally swoon worthy guys! Ghost and the Goth by Stacy Kade, just started reading this series but I love it and can't wait for the next one.. Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt, because its funny and sassy and empowering. Special mention for the Goddess Girls by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams.

17. most memorable voice award:
Tom Mackee from The Piper's Son. I had his voice in my head for weeks and weeks, and even my own inner voice started to sound like a 21 year old Australian guy - and yeah, I said "mate" and "heaps" a lot - it just got to me that much.

18. completely awesome premise award:
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg- the idea of a club where being a strong girl is awesome, of friends that support you no matter what and that want the best for you. I loved it.

19. would make the best movie:
Princess for Hire and The Royal Treatment by Lindsey Leavitt, they are prime Disney movie material, and I love it for it.

20. want to re-read already

The Piper's Son and I'm actually in the middle of re-reading it.


Okay, so this is it for day one!

Let's see what round to brings on Monday!

Love,

Ps- Sorry for the funky formatting, but Blogger is hating on me right now!