Thursday, December 29, 2011

Top Ten Books of 2011

This year is quite possibly the hardest year to compile a list of my Top Ten Favorite Books.  In years past, I've cheated just a tiny bit and included 2- or 3-book series, but this year...I'm stickin' to my guns, and it's 10 books or bust.  :o)

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#1 - To Die For by Sandra Byrd - review

For those (like me) who can't get enough of Tudor history, England, or The Royals in general, this stunning book would make an excellent addition to your reading fare, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.


#2 - Heiress by Susan May Warren - review

Without a doubt, Heiress has to be the edgiest Christian fiction book of the year.


#3 - A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell - review

Even though I've only read two books now by Siri, it's going to be extremely difficult for any of her others to match up to this one.


#4 - The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz - review

I drank in every drop of this book, and when finished, sat back and breathed a very contented sigh of happiness. 


#5 - The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund - review

It's not often that I have an opportunity to practically fly through a book as good as this one, but in 24 hours time, I read this book every moment I could spare.


#6 - Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer - review

This book was like a breath of fresh air when it comes to the Amish fiction genre.


#7 - The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller - review

Serena Miller's realistic tale of life after the Civil War was one that deserves a permanent place on the keeper shelf.


#8 - House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson - review

Sometimes, books come along that are so broad and meaningful, there's really nothing left to say except it was a great book.


#9 - Waterfall by Lisa Bergren - review

I jumped off a bridge and into a book that far exceeded my expectations.


#10 - Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer - review

Not since book 3 of Cindy Woodsmall's first Amish series have I been so impatient to read the last book in a series!


Honorable Mentions

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren - review
Desired by Ginger Garrett - review
The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz - review
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen - review

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So, that's my Top Ten for 2011!  Any books on there that you've read, too?  :o)

23 comments:

  1. Wow! you've read a lot of great books this year!

    To Die For I've read and really enjoyed! :)

    Heiress is number five on my top ten - it was wonderful and I'm completely looking forward to Baroness!

    A Heart Most Worthy looks really good and it's now going on my wish-list.

    The Colonel's Lady was so good! I loved that book!

    The Doctor's Lady is another book that is going on my wish-list.

    The Measure of Katie Calloway and Waterfall are also such great books that I LOVED!

    Great top ten!

    Here's my top ten for 2011:
    http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-favorite-books.html

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  2. Wow -- great list, but I just couldn't begin to narrow my favourites down to just 10. I've read most of yours though...except
    the Heiress. Read your review and now I guess I better remedy that when next I hit a bookstore!

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  3. I see a lot of authors here that I read also, I found jody Hedlund this year and just love her books. I am ready for 2012 and another year of good reading with all the wonderful authors out there.
    Happy New Year!

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  4. Hi Christy!

    I'm SO delighted to be included in your top picks of 2011! I can only imagine how hard it is to narrow down the list since there are so many talented authors and great books out there now! Thank you for sweet words! It's been a pleasure getting to know you!

    Love,

    Jody

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  5. Christy! Oh, how you bless me this cold morning! Knowing what a faithful reader you are, I'm amazed and honored to have made your list! And I thank you for introducing me to some authors I haven't read yet. That's the beauty of these lists - sharing book ideas! God bless you and your precious family as we move into a new reading year:) I'm so thankful for you.

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  6. Christy! Thank you so much for including me on your list! I'm honored to be among my favorite authors, too!! (and a couple new ones that I'm adding to my must read list). Thank you for this honor and for taking the time to read and review these books this year. You made my day!! Warmly, Susie May

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  7. Oh, what an awesome list of books!! I am seeing The Doctor's Lady on just about everyone's list! That book was awesome! Truly awesome!!!

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  8. Love the list, Christy! Seems we have similar taste along certain lines too. :)

    And yes I would say Susie book was THE edgiest book I've read in a long time. But she does it with incrediable taste.

    I really, really need to Baby, It's Cold Outside. Dying to get my hands on that one. :)

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  9. Thank you, lovely Christy, for including To Die For on your list and also for your friendship! I've read several of the gems on your Top 10 and will soon remedy the fact that I haven't read some of the others. Have a fantastic new year!

    xxoo Sandra

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  10. Loved Heiress. It reminded me greatly of Downton Abbey albeit with a bit more "edge" to its pages. Wonderful story - even in it depressing themes. I am definitely looking forward to Baroness.

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  11. Ladies,

    Thank you all for some wonderful comments this morning!!! :o)

    Melanie, Kav, Pol - sounds like we all have some great taste in books. :o)

    Jody - You're right...it is terribly difficult to choose! Thanks for writing another great book this year; I can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve next!

    Laura - I am so grateful to have discovered all of your books this year, and TCL was truly a gem of a novel! Blessings to you and yours for the new year.

    Susie - You are most welcome! I can't believe I didn't touch a single one of your books 'til this year, and then, I read three...with all of them being great reads, too! I can't wait to see what you have in store for 2012!

    Katie - Thanks for the compliment on the list, and congrats are in order for you, too, I believe...on a certain novelette...you go, girl!! Congrats! :o)

    Casey - Glad to see we agree about Heiress! Susie set the bar WAY high for the rest of the series, and I hope and pray there's a blog tour that'll come around for Baroness (and oh, the covers are just exquisite, too)! Hope you'll get to read BICO soon, also...a little bit of a slow start, but then, it just sweeps you off your feet. :o)

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  12. Awww, Sandra - THANK YOU!!! I am always overjoyed to read anything you write...you could write a book on a grocery store receipt, and I'd read it! Happy New Year to you and your family! :o)

    Rissi - You know, I just watched the entire first season of Downton Abbey, and....WOW!!! Love that show, and I can see what you mean about the similarities. New season starts Jan. 8, I believe??

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  13. Christy - *grin* Thanks!!! :-D

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  14. The 2nd series of "Donwton" does start in January, Christy - and I know, wasn't it just grand!? I am hoping to see it soon and will undoubtedly be blogging about it come early January.

    So glad you are a fan. =D

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  15. Love your list Christy! So far I think out of all the lists I've visited ours is the most similar! I guess you're my Southern sister. ;-)

    XOXO~ Renee C.

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  16. LOL, Renee!! Southern sisters - I love that! :o)

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  17. This is a great list! So many I haven't read but I do love Siri Mitchell's books!!!

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  18. Great list. I've read a few but need to keep my eyes out for the rest. Hugs and have a blessed New Year!!! :O)

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  19. Great list, Christy! It is so hard to pick favorites, isn't it? Happy New Year!

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  20. Great post Christy! I've seen Heiress show up on several lists, I'm going to have to check it out!

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  21. *places hand on chest and says, "Oh! She picked my book!"* THANK YOU!!! *madly scribbles down other titles* I have TO DIE FOR, HEIRESS, and THE COLONEL'S LADY on my Kindle! *scours calendar for time to read* So honored, friend. Thank you, thank you. You are my favorite Sassy Southern friend.

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  22. Joy ~

    Heiress would definitely fit your preference of edgy inspy romance...no doubt about it!

    Lisa ~

    Your comment makes me smile so much! Thanks for stopping by, and obviously...for writing some incredible books. :o) Can't wait to see what the new year holds for some new reads from you!

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  23. I enjoyed many of those same books! I loved, loved, loved Katie Calloway and Paradise Valley. And I have adored everything by Laura Frantz.

    2 Kids and Tired Books

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I love your comments!! They make me happier than cold sweet tea on a hot summer day! :o)