Top 5 Favorites of 2011
1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett– This book was a commitment. It took me a couple of months but I’m glad I stuck through with it. The story was captivating, the characters were interesting and I have no interest in watching the movie– I was satisfied with the book alone.
2. Native Son by Richard Wright- This was my first Richard Wright book and it was a heavy first. Wright was a controversial African-American author who documented the plight of African Americans. NS was not a fast read at all although it did have some action in the beginning, which then turns into a lots of self-reflection on some very deep issues. I think it’s a must read for anyone interested in African-American literature, but it is a depressing read all the same.
3. The Noticer by Andy Andrews- This small and quick read is about a man named Jones who goes around spreading wisdom to needy souls. The book uses anecdotes to teach relevant lessons about life and love. Jones believes in perspective, his goal is to try and change people’s perspectives about their seemingly-dire situations.
4. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert– I loved the author’s style of writing and her storytelling. This book was a refreshing, funny, and well-planned tale of a woman who takes a break from life to travel for one year. Gilbert is also the reason why I want to go to Bali now.
5. Life of Pi by Yann Martel- Although I didn’t get through this entire book (due to time, not interest), I found it to be well-written and charming. It had the perfect balance of storytelling, life lessons, and humor. Eventually, we’ll cross paths again.
Other Notable Mentions:
Left to Tell: Discovering God Admist the Rwandan Genocide by Immaculee Ilibagiza (Non-fiction)
The Untelling by Tayari Jones
Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue
Yo! By Julia Alvarez
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
My reading goal for 2012 is to read more non-fiction and autobiographies, I’m already working on my list.
What should I add to my non-fiction and {auto}biographical reads for 2012?
globetracer 
Very Interesting books you have left and little bit of what you thought about it. I plan on reading Eat,Play,Love, the first one you mention even sounds like something I would want to read as well.
Sorta havent read since I been in school this semester and I’m truly missing it. Think Ima pick up a book by Iris Johansen or either Nora Roberts later today and get lost into it. God Bless
Eat, Pray, Love was worth it. If you like fiction, Little Bee by Chris Cleave was also another winner in my book (It was a heart-wrenching story about a woman and a little girl who’s path cross in the most unimaginable way).
It is def. hard to read while taking classes, but I try to keep a good book at arm’s reach as a kind of retreat at times when it gets stressful.
Thanks for your feedback!
Excellent! Another bookie like me.
You have some interesting titles here. Eat, Pray, Love is on my bookshelf. Although I haven’t read it, I hear it’s a great book. I started reading Native Son when I was 18 and didn’t finish it until I was 21. It is a really heavy book. Life of Pi bored me in the beginning, but I was slowly pulled into the story. The Noticer sounds very interesting.
In the last few months I’ve read some great books, most of them old. Some you may have read or heard of.
The Farming of Bones – Edwidge Danticat
Family – J. California Cooper
Fight Club – Chuck Palahniuk
Kindred- Octavia Butler
the Known World- Edward P. Jones
Gonzo (The Life of Hunter S. Thompson) Jan Wenner
Thanks for your follow on Twitter. I appreciate you. I like your blog space, beautiful words and images. I’ll definitely visit again.
No prob. I realized I’ve been stalking your blog recently, so let me not creep you out. lol I have to check out that Danticat book, the last I read of her’s was the autobiographical one. Is Butler a Christian writer? Thanks for all your suggestions, taking note!
No problem.
Octavia Butler was a black female writer of science fiction novels.
Science fiction, that’s new for me. Will def. check her out.
Looking forward to reading The Help myself. I’ve heard good things about the book. I also heard good things about Life of Pi.
Of course I’ve read both Eat, Pray, Love & Native Son. The former turned out to be a pretty good read, one urged by a then-girlfriend, who doubted if I could identify with the journey. I completely agree – Native Son is an atlas of a book, and very depressing at times. Very captivating, during other times. It appears as if Wright suffered from some sort of self-hatred. I could be wrong though.
I added The Noticer to my cellphone’s list of books to read. Sounds like a very compelling read. It’s hard for the recommend a book due to my not having captured your spirit. I noticed where you’ve read J. California Cooper, so I believe you’d also enjoy her book Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns, if you hadn’t already read.
Whew, I think that’s why I was so heavy during Native Son it was so much to take on, you don’t realize how books affect your mood and I definitely was not trying to take on that depressed spirit during the end of my semester. So it took me a 3 months to finish. Also, towards the end I think it got a little too wordy for me, around the ‘trial’ part. Although it was interesting to hear the lawyer defending Bigger and the passion behind his words. Still believe it was about 50 pages longer than it had to be.
So many books picks, so little time. I’ve taken in the habit of reading 3 or 4 books at a time. It’s been a disaster, I usually just end up sticking with the most interesting of the bunch…so those books that I started end up being left in the corner. I need some new habits.
I apologize – I read the post and comments section and apparently joined both, cause I now realize Jason as the one who read Cooper’s book.
No prob., I’m glad I have the rec’s on the site to always revisit.
I’ve read two of your five. Life of Pi was from your recomendation, very well written, excellent storytelling. Thanks for the suggestion ~
Your goal to read more non-fiction and autobiographies, is the opposite of mine. Lol, I plan to read more fiction and urban literature.
Happy New Year!
You read too fast for me! Well I’ve got fiction recommendations for days…so we can tag-team suggestions. I’m glad you enjoyed Life of Pi, it was one of those reads that charmed me.
Curious to know what you’ll be starting the year reading. I’m currently reading: Dress your family in corduroy and denim by David Sedaris and Blue like Jazz by Donald Miller.