As I write this post I have read 194 books this year. While Cozy Mysteries are my favorites I have read from many genres this year. I “loved” or “liked” the majority of the books I read this year. There were a few “stinkers,” but the selections this year were incredible. This makes choosing by Best of 2011 extra tough. I have spent the last couple of days rereading my reviews and have chosen my personal favorites broken down into ten categories.
Releasing Gillian’s Wolves by Tara Woolpy
…Tara Woolpy has given us characters to fall in love with and one big character to hate….
Daddy’s Home by A.K. Alexander
…Talk about psychological suspense thrillers, this one blew me away!…
Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park
…I have to say I ran the whole gambit of emotions while reading this wonderful story. The characters are eccentric, off beat and you may even use the word peculiar, but they are written so true that you can’t help to fall for each and every one…
Shelter by Harlan Coben
…Like all books written by Harlan Coben the story is masterfully plotted, full of twists and turns while adding the perfect amount of humor. All fans of Coben will love this book and then pass it on to their teenagers to enjoy…
How To Moon A Cat by Rebecca M. Hale
…Her writing in places is almost poetry and her descriptions make people and places jump off the page…
A Small Fortune by Ashley Braun
…The story is so engaging, masterfully written. Suspenseful and yet so descriptive of the settings you can’t help but feel you are almost watching a movie. Brilliantly plotted to keep you turning page after page after page…
Dead Reckoning by Caitlin Rother
…There are not enough adjectives to encompass this crime, chilling, frightening, intense, etc. just doesn’t cover the raw emotion I was left with after reading this book…
India Black and the Widow of Windsor by Carol K. Carr
…The story contains a wonderful mystery with plenty of twists but what really captured by heart in this story was the humor…
A Real Basket Case by Beth Groundwater
When I finished this book I sat up straight and said WOW!!! This is definitely not your traditional cozy mystery. This is a hold on to the edge of your seat wild ride mystery!!!
To Catch A Leaf by Kate Collins
…I truly believe this is the best book Kate has written. This story is multifaceted and complex and perfectly paced. There are twists and surprises along with the comfort of the characters we have all grown to love…
Please understand these are just my personal selections. There were so many books I gave 4 and 5 stars this year. Many made Bestseller Lists! Several could have landed in each of these spots. I smile at the vast wealth of wonderful authors out there. They all do something I could never do, combine words to tell a story in 300-450 pages. Stories I can’t wait to escape into. I am just blessed to have so many of you wanting to Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book!!!! 2012 SHOULD BE A BLAST!!!!
You can find most of my 2011 Recommendations here:
Great wrap up post, Lori! I love reading other people’s best and worst lists. Added a few titles to my tbr list after reading your faves. Have a happy new year!
Great list…my new years resolution this year is to actually count the number of books I read. Thanks for entertaining me with your blog!
I have yet to mull over last year quite that much, but will be filing away your choices! Thanks for a great year!
Love how you categorized them. Daddy’s Home sounds so good.
Fantastic wrap up post Lori – I love Harlan Coben!
ARGH! Looking for good books to read, and came across this. Would REALLY like to know the “Best Self-Published Mystery/Thriller for 2011” but, alas, you don’t include the name. ='( I even went to your source code, thinking it just wasn’t showing. No deal.
Please, please include! THANKS!