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Monday, December 26, 2011

End of Year Survey

Borrowed this from Dolce Bellezza who stole this from The Literary Stew who stole it from The Perpetual Page- Turner.  And so here goes:
1. Best Book(s) You Read in 2011?
  •  1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
  • A Visit From the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan
  • An Object of Beauty - Steve Martin
2. Most Disappointing Book?
  • Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson - expected it to better than it was.
  • A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse - expected more from the book.
  • Bossypants by Tina Fey - definitely love Fey on 30 Rock, but didn't really care for her book.
3. Most Surprising (in a good way!) Book of 2011?
  • State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
  • The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
  • Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
4. Book(s) you recommended to people most in 2011?
  • 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
  • An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
  • Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy
5. Best series you discovered in 2011?

Don't really read series that often, so... none.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?
  • Simon Van Booy
  • Ann Patchett
  • Steve Martin
7. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?
  • 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
8. Book you most anticipated in 2011?
  • 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
9. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
    10. Most memorable character in 2011?

    I have two - Aomame and Tengo from 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.

    11. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

    Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy

    12. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?
    • 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
    • Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy
    • The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
    • State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
    • A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
    • An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin  
    13. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?
    • Villette by Charlotte Bronte
    14. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read in 2011?

    I have too many to remember, but they were mostly found in 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami and Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy

    15. Book that you read in 2011 that you would be most likely reread in 2012?

    Not sure which one I would read again in 2012 - the ones I loved I would rather wait a few years before reading again.  So I suppose my answer is none of them.

    16. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

    1Q84 by Haruki Murakami had plenty of these types of scenes.

    6 comments:

    Bellezza said...

    I can't believe I waited so long for Villette, either. Loved The Paris Wife, enjoyed 1Q84, and the only surprise for me here was your affection for The Object of Beauty. I didn't even finish that book, which is strange because I'd so enjoyed Steve Martin's Shopgirl. Glad to see your responses on this!

    Nadia said...

    Bellezza, I couldn't believe that 1Q84 didn't live up to the hype for you - what a disappointment for you. I truly enjoyed the book and found it to be what I expected from Murakami. I suppose we can't always love the same books, eh? LOL! As for the Steve Martin book - I really appreciated that book. Not only did it show me what a talented author Martin is, but it also got me more interested in art - which I felt really impacted me. This was definitely a fun survey to do - thanks!

    Tom Cunliffe said...

    What a fascinating list.

    I read the first book in 1Q84 but haven't ventured into 2 or 3 yet. They're on my Kindle however so some day . . .

    I should read the Steve Martin as I admire him greatly in other ways - not least his banjo playing.

    Happy new year to you

    nfmgirl said...

    Your books sounds great! I have 1Q84 recently added to my Wish List, and have been hearing great things about it!

    Karen said...

    It sounds like we have read a lot of the same books this past year. I have IQ84 waiting on my shelf - sounds like it was a real winner for you so I hope I feel the same way when I get to it.

    Wendy Smith said...

    I am currently reading 1Q84 thanks to your recommendation. I am still waiting to be blown away. The writing is good, but not what I consider to be great. But, maybe it is the whole that impacts so much. Did you read the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo Series? While these books are very different in style to 1Q84, i am struck by the similar themes of abuse against women and children. I also read Waiting for the Goon Squad last year, but it didn't make my top ten list.