I did this last year, and thought it'd be fun to do it again. For me, this year I read a lot of books that made it onto my favorites bookshelf. And lots of other books that really left an impression with me that didn't. So, instead of listing my top ten favorites, per se, I listed the top 10 books I read in 2011 that
made an impression on me. That make sense? After listing the book, I'll explain my reasons.
(And just because the other 5-star reviewed books--or those on my favorites shelf--idn't make it onto this list doesn't mean they weren't just as good. I'm serious when I say there were some AWESOME books published this year! The ones below just left a wee bit bigger impression on me then others. :-)
If any of y'all want to join, feel free to list your top ten favorites in the comment section. Or if you posted it on your blog, leave me the link so I can check it out!
Okay, lets get started! Starting from the top, as the number one...
Top 10 in 2011
Okay, I know this is THREE books, and not just one...but to me, they are all clumped together as one book.
Waterfall
, Cascade
, and
Torrent
all came out this year, and they were the most-looked-for-release. As soon as I read
Waterfall, I knew I was going to LOVE the rest. And I did. Totally and completely! Why did it leave such a HUGE impression on me? Because it mixed so many of the things I
love -- suspense, action, medieval, romance, sword-fighting, timetravel, and close sisters -- into one awesome series! This series will forever and always remain an all-time favorite!
~*~
Where to begin with this one?? Well...to put it simply, I was blown away with this one. As y'all know by now, I am crazy about thriller/suspense novels. Really crazy. I'm, like, a suspense-aholic. So while
The Bishop
is a 500+ page book, I read it all in one day. I could NOT put it down! Impossible!! This book is not for the faint of heart, to be sure, and even I got grossed or creeped out in places. But what made the biggest impression on me was how real James kept it. He doesn't hid the gritty details of hunting down deranged, twisted serial killers. And even the more down-to-earth things like a father and step-daughters relationship, questions about God, and what happens after death. It all just had such a strong, gritty ring of reality...that it felt like I could flip on the news channel and hear about Patrick Bowers adventures to stop the sadistic killers.
~*~
This book was my first try in the Military Suspense genre, and it still remains my favorite of all the MS I have read. The writing is crisp, bold, and takes you
right into the scene. And the adventures that this secret, special ops team, Nightshade, gets into...is totally awesome!!! Just the thing for this thriller lover! If you read this series, I am sure you will fall in love with each member of the Nightshade team, just as I did. They are a one-of-a-kind group of heroic men! The reason it left such an impact with me was because of Dani's story in all this. Her struggle to overcome the weeks of rape and torture, and her determination to see them brought to justice, made for an intense, and memorable, read. Unforgettable!
This book is my top favorite historical of the year. And the reason why is probably because of the edge of suspense and intensity that is woven into the historical. Yes, you heard me, suspense! This book is labeled as a Historical Fiction, so I wasn't expecting the adventure and suspense that filled nearly every page. But was completely delighted! And I just
loved the way Jody handled Eli and Priscilla's 'business partners' relationship and showed how they slowly began to grow to love each other. It was beautiful! Stunningly beautiful. The book had just the right amount of two things I love -- suspense and history -- that I found it impossible to stop reading and finished the book in almost one sitting. Yes, I really loved this book! ;-)
~*~
This one. Wow, what a heavy read. It was, in a word, heart-wrenching.
Deliver Me from Evil
told such a sad, but all too true, story--young girls forced to be prostitutes. The use of sex slaves is very real here in America, and this book really brings it to the forefront of your mind. I almost labeled this book as a "favorite" of mine...but after much thought, I didn't. This book was just so...different. I felt it would almost be a sin to call this book a favorite when it tells the story of so many young girls that are, right now, enduring a living hell. For those who have read this book by Macias, I'm sure you will agree with me that this book made a big impression on you. I dare you to read this and not be filled with a desire to help these girls. But be warned --
Deliver Me from Evil is not for the faint of heart.
~*~
I just finished rereading this book, and enjoyed it all over again. Kinda like Steven James' books, in that Jamie has a serial killer stalking her, this book grabbed me from page one and didn't let go. What about the book left such a big impression with me? Because of Jamie and her road to recovery after she escaped her serial killer so many years ago. Her journey was anything but easy, but I so loved seeing how she kept God as her rock of strength and trusted Him with blind faith, knowing that He did all things well and would be with her always. Even when she finds herself in the familiar surroundings of her killers lair once again. I just loved the strength she portrayed. An intense read, to be sure!
~*~
I think what left such a huge impression, for me, with this book is that it's the first
Love Finds You book that was more than a "fluff read", as I call them. In
Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland
, White's character's have amazing depth and each of them go through hard trails, learn some gritty lessons, and come out changed. If you haven't been able to read any of White's books...you are really missing out! And I highly recommend you start with this one. The writing is bold and vivid, and there's even a threat of humor woven in, making me chuckle several times. But, even with all these great things about the book, my all-time favorite aspect of the book was Wiley. I LOVE seeing a strong brother-character in books. Watching how Wiley looked after Lark so protectively and loved her so devotedly....*sigh*...it's what ever girl wishes for in a brother! (And something I got in my two protective brothers!)
~*~
I read this on my kindle, but after finishing it
had to get the book. It's just
that good! As I read this debut book, I was really blown away by Witemeyer's talent. The writing was splendid! The plot and everything that takes place well thought out and seamlessly woven together. And not only that, but what left the biggest impression on me was the lesson the characters learn. Especially J.T. when he read Proverbs 31. That was one of my favorite parts! I loved the way that Witemeyer showed how a woman can be beautifully adorned without being immodest or vain. Great lessons!
~*~
I had the very special honors of reading this book pre-publication, and completely enjoyed the sweeping adventure that Gardner writes in
Warring Spirits
. The history is rich, the descriptions vivid, and the trails the characters endure heart wrenching at moments. Almost instantly, you are sympathetic toward Milly, a slave who has such light skin, she can be mistaken as a white...except for her kinky hair that gives her away. And for those who read the first book in this series, you will love seeing Phillip again and reading his story of redemption after all he's been through. And we even see Adela and Totka again! Loved that! What left the biggest impact on me was that Gardner kept things so...realistic. For example, there is one time when the hero, sadly, doesn't make it to the heroine on time. And, while my heart ached for Milly, I
loved that she did it this way because, in real life, we can't always make it "just in the nick of time". But even if this is the case, God is always there and helps sustain us through everything we have to endure. :-) Great job, April!!
~*~
I waffled for a while on whether or not I should add this one to my list. I have a kinda mixed love/hate relationship with this series, if that makes any sense. But, since that thinking was more aimed to the rest of the series, and not the first book,
The Hunger Games
(which I totally enjoyed), here it is, bringing in the tail end of my top-ten books for this year. :-) What left such a big impression on me was the unique plot that had plenty of action and suspense. What's the plot? It has a gladiator-type of setting and the main character, is teenager Katniss who must go into an arena with 23 other teens and fight to the death. Only one person, the victor, leaves the arena alive. Talk about a neat story plot, eh?! I didn't like how the book ended -- with her at odds with Peeta -- but I am holding out for a happy ending for these two. We shall see, I suppose! :-)
There you have it! My top ten books that left the biggest impression on me in 2011. This year brought out a lot of awesome books, and (trust me!) picking out just 10 of my favorites was
HARD! And something tells me that next year it will only be harder. ;-)
What are yours? List them below, or if you posted them in a blogpost, leave the link!
Roseanna White - Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland
Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland - Roseanna White
- LoaW's 1st Bookswap
- 7 stories, 7 authors....7 Hours. This book is gunna be awesome!
and it's a historical fiction, set in the years after the War Between the States. Publishing a Kindle was a very interesting experience, especially since I had to do everything myself (format, book cover, etc.), but it was fun! And now see the results!!
- Lisa Bergren
- Ronie Kendig
- Jody Hedlund
- Lynette Eason
- Karen Witemeyer 
