It’s the end of another year, and “Best of” lists abound. If you’re a bibliophile, you may want to check out the New York Times Top 10 Books of the Year or its 100 Notable Books. Newsweek and The Daily Beast have their Favorite Books of 2011. Esquire publishes its Top 10 Books list, and The Atlantic has come up with a list of Best Books I Read this Year. Not to be outdone, the staff at the Weyenberg Library has come up with some of our own favorites. We hope you enjoy them:
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett—the heroine of this book must combat not only the jungle, but also a crotchety former professor, as well as her own conscience. The New York Times best-selling author takes the reader on an Amazon adventure, a modern mystery, and a journey in to the protagonist’s multi-layered past.
The language of flowers: a novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh—Alternating chapters show us 9-year old and 18-year old Victoria, a girl who spent her childhood being shuffled from one foster home to another. She longs for a home and family, but communicates better through flowers than with words. What is the mysterious event in her past that kept her from being adopted by the loving Elizabeth? Will she ever learn to love and be loved?
The Bone House by Brian Freeman—Hilary and Mark move away from the big city to a small town, but they don’t find peace or quiet when Mark finds himself the prime suspect in the murder of a local teen. The wide cast of intriguing characters and the suspenseful plot combine to keep readers riveted to the page.
The Confession by John Grisham—Another fast-paced page-turner that dives into America’s justice system; this book will grab you in the first pages and not let go. Travis Boyette is ready to confess to murder when he realizes that his brain tumor will likely end his life. If no one listens, however, the man who has been wrongfully convicted will be executed. “When it’s over, no one really wants to die.”
Room: a novel by Emma Donoghue—This spare title is reflective of the spare environment in which the four-year old narrator lives: a single room in which he and his young mother are being held captive. But despite her youth, his mother is a remarkable woman, whose resourcefulness gives Jack an astonishingly active life, and earns her the admiration of the reader. Will Jack and his mother live inside “Room” forever?
Lethal by Sandra Brown—This suspense novel reads like an action thriller movie. Honor Gillette is a recent widow, mourning the death of her husband and trying to be a good mother to her four-year old daughter, when her fragile life is shattered. Nothing is as it seems, and it may be that the only one she can trust is the accused 7-time murderer who kidnapped her. You’ll be glued to your seat as Honor and Coburn run from the law and race toward the truth.
Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark—Yes, it’s the Marcia Clark who was the lead prosecutor in the OJ Simpson case, and in this debut novel she proves that she’s not only an able lawyer, but also an excellent writer. Clark combines her knowledge of the Los Angeles judicial system with a fast plot, great characterization, witty dialog, humor and suspense in this LA crime novel.
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach—This novel takes place at a small college in Wisconsin, and is on the surface a novel about baseball. But more than that, it’s a novel about growing up, making choices, and the fallibility of man. Harbach marries his love of baseball to a love of literature in this novel which is sure to entertain baseball lovers and non-lovers alike.
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton—The staff member who recommended this book admitted that Sue Grafton novels sometimes disappoint, but stated that in this one, “She outdid herself!” Mystery lovers will enjoy this book even if they have not read any of the others in Grafton’s long series.
DVD: Crazy Stupid Love—People from multiple generations are looking for love in this star-studded, touching romantic comedy with a few surprise twists and a satisfying ending.
DVD: The Young Victoria—Did you enjoy the royal wedding? Well, here’s another one for you. If you like history, intrigue, or romance, this gorgeously costumed and well-acted movie is for you.
Our DVD list would not be complete without including The Help, the movie about black maids and their white employers that is based on Kathryn Stockett’s popular book. While not the first movie to explore the issue of racism, this one does it with characters who are unforgettable.
So snuggle up on the couch with a hot drink and a blanket, and don’t let the year end without checking out some of the best books and movies 2011 has to offer.
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