Best of 2011

As the close of 2011 creeps up and it becomes glaringly obvious that it is, in fact, the end of the year and not still the middle of the summer, which found me sitting in the sun with a book in hand, I thought making a "Best of" list would be fun.  The irony of this whole situation being, this time last year I didn't have this blog, wasn't into reading for fun and wouldn't have known what an ARC or a galley was if it hit me in the face and made me cry, "CUPCAKE!" In no particular order except for #1...

Best of 2011~ Books

#1

"Divergent" by Vernoica Roth ~ this is my FAVORITE book of the year! I have given this book as a gift numerous times and even went as "Tris" for Halloween.

Click below to read my review

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/176307852 

#2

 "The Uncbecoming of Mara Dyer" by Michelle Hodkin ~ Read my review  http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/10/unbecoming-of-mara-dyer-michelle-hodkin.html

#3

 

"Hourglass" by  Myra McEntire ~ Read my review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182453987

#4

"Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have)" by Sarah Mylnowski ~ Read my review http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-of-then-things-we-did-and.html

#5

 

"Saving June" by Hannah Harrington ~ Read my review http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/09/saving-june-arc-hannah-harrington.html

#6

"The Iron Knight" by Julie Kagawa ~ Read my review  http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/08/iron-knight-arc-julie-kagawa.html

#7

 

 "There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones ~ Read my review http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/09/there-youll-find-me-jenny-b-jones.html

 #8

 "Lola and the Boy Next Door" by Stephanie Perkins ~ Read my review http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/10/lololololo-la-sorry-cant-help-but-hear.html

#9

"Silence" by Becca Fitzpatrick ~ (The Walmart Special Edition has an extra chapter at the end that shows Patch & Nora's first meeting from his point of view.) Read my review http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/10/silence-hush-hush-book-3-becca.html

#10

 

"All These Things I've Done" by Gabrielle Zevin ~ Read my review http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/09/all-these-things-ive-done-gabrielle.html

#11

 

 "We'll Always Have Summer" by Jenny Han ~ Read my review http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/09/well-always-have-summer-series-jenny.html

#12

 

 "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty ~ Read my review http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-alice-forgot-liane-moriarty.html

Best of 2011~ Music

One of cool things I discovered along with some great books this year is that many authors put out playlists - music they either listened to while writing or that inspired their characters/books.  These playlists introduced me to new artists and/or songs for which I'm grateful for.  I *hearts* music just as much as I *hearts* books.

#1 Blind Pilot ~ 3 Rounds & A Sound ( I discovered this band while reading "Saving June" and the lead singer will forever be the voice of Jake Tolan for me.)

#2 Blind Pilot ~ We Are The Tide

#3 Flyleaf ~ Memento Mori 

#4 Coldplay ~ Mylo Xyloto

#5 Gungor ~ Beautiful Things

#6 Foster the People ~ Torches

#7 Switchfoot ~ Vice Verses (My favorite band since they hit the E.C. in '03)

#8 The Decemberists ~ Forgone

#9 Bon Iver ~ Bon Iver

#10 Hillsong United ~ Aftermath

What are your favorites from 2011?