Top 10 Books of 2011

Reading became such a huge part of my life in 2011, so where better to record my favourites than here? Now I've always been a big reader. I love books and spent many hours of my childhood mesmerised at how my Mum could loose herself within pages, and 2011 I decided that I needed to broaden what I read. Primarily I read Chick-Lits, but became bored with the similar stories, with each author bringing a similar idea to the table, so I decided to branch out into some different genres. I am so glad that I did, as this past year I've been able to absorb some amazing, incredible and such through provoking stories, and though my top ten list does include some chick-lits, I have found a new appreciation for them and found some truly amazing books.

And to anyone out there that feels they don't have time to read, well you do. For years I'd only ever been able to read a maximum of 1 book a month, and by maximum I really mean MAXIMUM. The majority of times it would take me three to four months to finish a book no matter how amazing it was. But it turns out that you can read practically anywhere. By just reading a couple of pages here and there, it's surprising how quickly you can actually get through a book. One of my favourite places to read is actually on my break at work, much to some peoples' annoyance. I love to be able to detach myself from a stressful working day just for half an hour, into the pages of someones vivid imagination, and after I'm left feeling refreshed and ready to start again. 

So enough rambling, heres my top ten books/series I read in 2011:

In no particular order:
Blindness by José Saramago
The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro 
Delirium by Lauren Oliver 
Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts
Divergent by Veronica Roth 
I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk 
Babyville by Jane Green 
Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld

I rated all these books 5/5 stars and would happily read each one again. There are so many other books that I loved this year that this post was so difficult, but I think I've got it right. There were only a few books that I read this year that I truly hated but lets not mention them in this post. What books did you read and love this year? I love finding out about new books that I've never heard of. 

Happy Reading, 

Katie 

x

The Hunger Games: Book Review - A Recommendation

If it wasn't for youtube I don't think I would have ever heard of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, so it's just one more reason to be grateful for the youtube community. 


Now admittedly this trilogy of books currently resides in the children's section of the book store, or Asda where I bought my copies, but don't for one second let that fool you. These books are excellently written, with an intriguing and gripping story line. I couldn't put these books down, even to the point of staying up until stupid o'clock in the morning to finish them. Not a smart move, but one which I could not control. I've yet to read the third book in the trilogy, Mockingjay, but I know without picking it up that it will not be disappointing. It's currently sat next to me enticing me into reading it, but I'm worried as I would like to go to bed before 1:00am tonight. 


So here's the blurb on the back of the book, 


In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one  rule: kill or be killed. 
When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it has her death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature. 


When I first read this I thought 'Battle Royal'. If anyone has not seen this movie, do, it's incredible; gory and violent, but a very good story. Even though this was my initial thought I couldn't have been more wrong. Maybe a slight idea was taken from Battle Royal, but really this story stands so far apart with it's own original take that I could never compare the two. 


Secondly, when I bought this book, part of me didn't really care what it was about I only wanted to find out what all the hype was about. So with this in mind, when I originally read the blurb, I either didn't read all of it, or forgot the second part, as it was as much of a shock to me as it was to Katniss when her sister was chosen to take part in the Hunger Games. Part of me feels that everyone should be able to experience this shock, but without ever hearing anything about this book the blurb really does sell you the story. And we can't really have it all now can we?


I've been dying to share my thoughts and opinions (all good) about the specific details of this book with anyone, but unfortunately no-one I know has actually read it. But don't worry I won't be sharing these here... this is purely here to encourage people who either don't know about the book, or who are on the fence about reading it, to read it. In fact I have got to point of recommending it to everyone at work. 


One thing people ask me when I explain what the book is about, and it's "is it gory?" 
Simply answered it depends on your imagination. Once person may imagine a complete blood bath, where as I don't. It's one aspect where books will always win over movies, and that's imagination. I find that I can be put off a good movie by the over use of blood and guts. Movies now seem to try to freak the audience out though the use of special effects rather than shock them with a well executed plot. Whereas a book means you can never be put off, unless your imagination is really that worrying. 


I don't want to go into any details about the where the story takes you as a reader, but with reality TV these days, the ideas in this book do not take much of a stretch in imagination. Don't get me wrong in our versions of reality TV people don't lose their lives but their dignity is almost always lost. Other factors relating to control in regards to governments make you really think. I love a book that if you want, can be an easy and enjoyable read, but can also make you relate certain aspects to your own lives and 'read' more into it if you so wish.                      


Overall please read these books, and join the growing number of people who cannot get enough of the hunger games.