My Top 2011 Picks

I started blogging late in 2011, but it has been a great reading year for me since January.  I loved a lot of my 2011 reads, but here is a shorter list for those who are short on time.  Although many of the books I read would have honourable mentions, here are my top picks from my 2011 Reading List, in no particular order.
*Clicking on the image will bring you to my initial post about the novel.  

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Although this book is found in the Young Adult/Teen section, I absolutely loved these books!  The Hunger Games trilogy consists of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.  These books by Suzanne Collins were a little bit of action and love and a lot of exciting and awesome.  Start this trilogy, no matter what your age, when you have a few days to spare because you are not going to want to put these books down.  The movie comes out in 2012 so you can look forward to that!  Buy the book here.

 
 The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help was a very popular book this year.  Part of its success was probably because of the release of the 2011 movie.  The story, dealing with inequality between coloured maids and their bosses, was funny and heartfelt.  The book had me laughing and crying.  Buy the book here. 





Little Princes by Conor Grennan

The book Little Princes is the true story of Conor Grennan, who travels to Nepal to volunteer in an orphanage.  He finds out the truth behind the past of these young children - they are actually victims of child trafficking and many of them have families who are still alive and well.  Grennan takes it upon himself to help these children reunite with their families.  Little Princes was a great non fiction read filled with Grennan's memories of his time in Nepal.  This book also made it onto the CTV Canada AM book corner.  Buy it here. 

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

This book, though fiction, was eye opening to historical events that occurred in 1942 in Paris, during the Vel d'Hiv roundup.  I'm not a huge history fan, but I liked this book.  It goes back and forth between plots in 1942 and 2002, as a journalist tries to connect events that are close to her family.  Buy it here.





Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Secret Daughter is the story of Asha, a young adult who was given up for adoption when she was born.  Her biological mother was forced to give her up since boys are the strongly favoured sex in their culture.  A family in the United States adopts Asha, one of her adoptive parents being from a similar background and culture.  So many issues are touched upon in this book.  It's a really heartwarming story that I think many of you would love.  Buy it here. 



Honourable mentions include Water for Elephants, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Room, and Once Upon a Day. 

Secret Daughter (Shilpi Somaya Gowda)

I've been putting off my review of this book because it's currently on loan to a family friend... (I like to have the book in hand as inspiration!)  Since we still haven't gotten it back yet, I decided to just go for it.  Get her done before the new year - plus this book just may be one of my top picks of 2011. 

My mom recommended Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda this past winter when I was looking for a "good" book to read (you know, a book you don't want to put down?) 

Kavita, who lives in an Indian village gives birth to a girl.  In their culture, boys are strongly favoured and Kavita is expected to end the life of her child.  Instead, she brings her daughter to an orphanage.  At the same time, Somer and her husband Krishnan, who live in America and have been unable to have a child, decide to adopt.  Asha, the daughter, becomes curious about her past and decides to search in Mumbai for more information about her history. 

I loved that this book dealt with so many different issues, such as adoption, interracial marriages, poverty and infertility, just to name a few.  I couldn't put the book down once I started it - you so badly want to know how Asha's story turns out. 

This was Shilpi Somaya Gowda's first novel and I am excited to see what else she publishes!  I definitely recommend this one!