Books that have affected me this year.
I haven’t read many because I’m a slow reader. (And of course, some have been a letdown, but I shall not write about them here.)
I’m really glad there are quite a few that have stirred and lifted my insides, though.
* These books are not all published in 2011.
** Click on the titles to go to their respective GoodReads page for more descriptions and reviews!
Picture Books
Miss Rumphius
(Barbara Cooney)
Alice Rumphius followed her grandfather's dreams of travelling the world, living by the sea and doing one thing to make the world more beautiful ... (Wrote a review on GoodReads.)
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
(Chris Van Allsburg)
Alan is supposed to dog-sit for Miss Hester. When he accidentally allows the dog, Fritz, to enter a magician's garden, he suspects Fritz has been turned into a duck ...
The Velveteen Rabbit
(Margery Williams)
A toy rabbit discovers how it is like to become real. (Wrote a post on this classic: http://www.carryusoffbooks.com/1/post/2011/11/a-five-star-rabbit-toy-thing.html)
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade
(Melissa Sweet)
About a man who loved his marionettes and figured out who to make them to be anything anyone could imagine them to be.
Emily
(Michael Bedard & Barbara Cooney)
A little girl who lives across Emily Dickinson gets to meet the reclusive poet one wintry day … The book had me at 'Emily Dickinson.'
Middle-Grade & Young Adult Novels
The Song of the Whales
(Uri Orlev)
Michael, 11, has always felt more comfortable around old people than kids his age. He loves watching them with their collection of antiques, of old stuff that nobody notices. So when Michael moves from New York to Jerusalem, he naturally begins a friendship with his ailing grandfather.
However, this friendship takes an unusual turn not long after. For Grandpa possesses a gift: he can bring Michael into his dreams. (Wrote a review on GoodReads)
Notes from a Liar and Her Dog
(Gennifer Choldenko)
Ant MacPherson considers herself the black sheep of the family. Her parents are often impressed with her perfect sisters and frustrated with her. So Ant takes to lying …
When My Name Was Keoko
(Linda Sue Park)
Sun-Hee and her brother, Tae-Yul, are children in Korea living in the time of the Japanese Occupation. They have to change their names, hide their flags, and learn to read and write in Japanese, and worst of all, hide their love for Korea ...
Witness
(Karen Hesse)
A story on racial discrimination, choices, friendship, strength and courage told in fractured narratives by different characters in a small Vermont town in 1924 …
The Graveyard Book
(Neil Gaiman)
A toddler wanders into a graveyard after his family was wiped out by a mysterious killer. Ghosts and other supernatural residents take him in and raise him as one of their own …
Adult Short Stories & Novels
Dear Husband,
(Joyce Carol Oates)
A collection of short stories exploring American families. I’d found this at a clearance sale and it brightened what was a dour day for me!
Blonde
(Joyce Carol Oates)
This isn’t a memoir or biography, but rather a fictitious take on the poetic, vulnerable and intimate side of Norma Jean Baker, more famously known as Marilyn Monroe. I’m about 80% through this extremely intense book.
I want to hear about yours! Which books have been awesome for you this year? I've read intriguing book reviews by some of you. Do you have 1-2 books you can't help sharing?
I haven’t read many because I’m a slow reader. (And of course, some have been a letdown, but I shall not write about them here.)
I’m really glad there are quite a few that have stirred and lifted my insides, though.
* These books are not all published in 2011.
** Click on the titles to go to their respective GoodReads page for more descriptions and reviews!
Picture Books
Miss Rumphius
(Barbara Cooney)
Alice Rumphius followed her grandfather's dreams of travelling the world, living by the sea and doing one thing to make the world more beautiful ... (Wrote a review on GoodReads.)
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
(Chris Van Allsburg)
Alan is supposed to dog-sit for Miss Hester. When he accidentally allows the dog, Fritz, to enter a magician's garden, he suspects Fritz has been turned into a duck ...
The Velveteen Rabbit
(Margery Williams)
A toy rabbit discovers how it is like to become real. (Wrote a post on this classic: http://www.carryusoffbooks.com/1/post/2011/11/a-five-star-rabbit-toy-thing.html)
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade
(Melissa Sweet)
About a man who loved his marionettes and figured out who to make them to be anything anyone could imagine them to be.
Emily
(Michael Bedard & Barbara Cooney)
A little girl who lives across Emily Dickinson gets to meet the reclusive poet one wintry day … The book had me at 'Emily Dickinson.'
Middle-Grade & Young Adult Novels
The Song of the Whales
(Uri Orlev)
Michael, 11, has always felt more comfortable around old people than kids his age. He loves watching them with their collection of antiques, of old stuff that nobody notices. So when Michael moves from New York to Jerusalem, he naturally begins a friendship with his ailing grandfather.
However, this friendship takes an unusual turn not long after. For Grandpa possesses a gift: he can bring Michael into his dreams. (Wrote a review on GoodReads)
Notes from a Liar and Her Dog
(Gennifer Choldenko)
Ant MacPherson considers herself the black sheep of the family. Her parents are often impressed with her perfect sisters and frustrated with her. So Ant takes to lying …
When My Name Was Keoko
(Linda Sue Park)
Sun-Hee and her brother, Tae-Yul, are children in Korea living in the time of the Japanese Occupation. They have to change their names, hide their flags, and learn to read and write in Japanese, and worst of all, hide their love for Korea ...
Witness
(Karen Hesse)
A story on racial discrimination, choices, friendship, strength and courage told in fractured narratives by different characters in a small Vermont town in 1924 …
The Graveyard Book
(Neil Gaiman)
A toddler wanders into a graveyard after his family was wiped out by a mysterious killer. Ghosts and other supernatural residents take him in and raise him as one of their own …
Adult Short Stories & Novels
Dear Husband,
(Joyce Carol Oates)
A collection of short stories exploring American families. I’d found this at a clearance sale and it brightened what was a dour day for me!
Blonde
(Joyce Carol Oates)
This isn’t a memoir or biography, but rather a fictitious take on the poetic, vulnerable and intimate side of Norma Jean Baker, more famously known as Marilyn Monroe. I’m about 80% through this extremely intense book.
I want to hear about yours! Which books have been awesome for you this year? I've read intriguing book reviews by some of you. Do you have 1-2 books you can't help sharing?
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