Book Stars of 2011–Guest Posts, Giveaways, and more!

Welcome to my “Book Stars of 2011” Celebrating the good, the  better and the best reads of this year. 2011 was a great year for fiction, wouldn’t you agree?? I read some of the most amazing books this year, quite a few were added to my list of all time favorites. From spooky scary young adult fiction like Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake to an adult dystopian like When She Woke by Hillary Jordan, there was certainly no shortage of incredible reads this year.


Here are a few of my favorites from this year:
1.  Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake 

Spooky, fun, and exciting,  this book has it all! Anna quickly found a place on list of favorite reads of all time! If you haven’t read it yet, you should definitely do so right away! Stop back on the 16th for a guest post from Wendy @ The Midnight Garden about why you should be reading this and on the 17th for a guest post by Kendare Blake and a chance to win a signed copy of Anna Dressed in Blood.

2. Angelfall by Susan Ee

This thrilling story wasn’t your average angel tale. Sweeping across a desolate post-apocalyptic landscape, Angelfall has enough romance, adventure, and heart pounding excitement to propel it to the very top of my list of “Best of 2011” as well as one of my favorites of all time! Stop back here on the 20th for a guest post by Michelle, one of my favorite Goodreads reviewers, to find out why she thinks everyone should be reading Angelfall. Her amazing review here is what made me buy this book in the first place, and I’m so glad I did! Also, stop back on December 21st for an interview with the amazing Susan Ee and a chance to win a copy of Angelfall!

3.  When She Woke by Hillary Jordan

This adult dystopian themed novel simply blew me away. Full of suspense, thrills, and thought provoking situations, this modernized re-imagining of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter was inspiring and impossible to put down!

4.  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

A historical fiction novel about a time in history I wasn’t even aware of, Stalin’s deportation of thousands of Lithuanian people at the beginning of World War II. Between Shades of Gray is such an emotionally powerful story that it left me weeping and speechless. This was one of the best audio narrations I have listened to and is certainly one of the best reads of 2011 as well as a book I think everyone should read, on par with Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief.

5.  The Postmortal by Drew Magary

This adult futuristic/dystopian was action packed and full of rich dark humor and sarcastic wit. It explores what would happen if we found a “Cure” for aging, making us relatively immortal.  The unique writing style and thrilling premise left me wanting to read more about this exciting world!

6.  Divergent by Veronica Roth

2011 was a year for amazing dystopians, and Divergent was certainly an example of that! Voted favorite book of 2011 on Goodreads, its no surprise that this book is also one of my “Book Stars of 2011” Intense, a bit violent, and definitely exciting, this book is one of my all time favorite YA dystopians.

7.  God’s Eye by A.J. Scudiere

God’s Eye was an unusual mixture of horror, mystery/suspense, psychological thriller, and paranormal romance. Definitely in the adult category, this book about an angel and a demon was a little different than anything I have ever read. This is a story that will slowly pull you in until you find yourself on the edge of your seat, breathlessly waiting to find out what will happen next! Easily one of my favorite reads of 2011

8.  Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

With an original, unique writing style and a premise reminiscent of Xmen, this YA sci-fi/dystopian was one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year. And it didn’t disappoint either!! Full of action, romance, and and a villain you’ll love to hate, Shatter Me is one you don’t want to miss!!  I can’t wait for the sequel!

9.  Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

Remember that Adam Sandler movie “50 First Dates”? Well, the main character in this book has that same memory disorder, she forgets everything and everyone each time she falls asleep and each morning she looks in the mirror expecting to see a 20-something girl, and instead finds a middle aged woman. But this isn’t a romantic comedy, this story is much darker. Before I Go To Sleep is so compelling, so terrifying, and so real that it absolutely stunned me. An amazing, intense page turner and certainly one of the Book Stars of 2011!

10.  Blood Red Road by Moira Young

This is yet another dystopian/post apocalyptic book that made my list of favorites of the year. I loved the unique voice of this main character as well as the exciting journey across that desolate landscape. In Blood Red Road you’ll find action, suspense, a bit of romance, a fascinating world, and a heroine that just might kick your ass! If you haven’t read this one yet, definitely put it on your Christmas list!

Which books were your favorites of 2011? Remember to stop back over the next 2 weeks for some awesome guest posts and a chance to win some more great books! Also, feel free to grab that awesome Book Stars button designed by Missie at The Unread Reader!! 


Book Stars of 2011 Schedule
December 15 - Guest post by Small from Small Review
December 16 - Guest Post by Wendy at The Midnight Garden
December 17 - Guest Post and Giveaway by Kendare Blake
December 19 - Guest Post and giveaway by Maja from The Nocturnal Library
December 20 - Guest Post by Michelle, The Bookshelf Stalking Queen Of the Undead
December 21 - Interview and Giveaway with Susan Ee
December 22 - Guest Post by  Missie from The Unread Reader

Giveaway!! This giveaway is INT and will have 2 winners!! Fill out the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment with your top 3-5 favorites of 2011 and which books from my top 10 you’d like to win. Each winner will receive 2 books of their choice from my list. (Book must be available from The Book Depository or an ebook from Amazon) That’s 2 books for each winner. Contest ends on Jan 1, 2012 at Midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





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