2011 Reading List

Here is my list for 2011: start Jan 1 and end Dec 31.

N = Novel
Na = Novella
M = Manga
GN = Graphic Novel

Short Stories are listed at the bottom

January

1. Ash by Malinda Lo (N)
2. Bride of the Water God, volume 6 by Mi-Kyung Yun (M)
3. Counterfeit Magic by Kelley Armstrong (Na)
4. Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Peterson (GN)
5. Fables 14: Witches by Bill Willingham (GN)

February

6. Pretty Souls by Julie Particka (N)
7. Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr (N)
8. Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll (N)

March

9. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (N)
10. Resolve by Melissa Marr (M)
11. Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 by David Peterson (GN)
12. The Ghost of Vampire Present by Seleste deLaney (Na)
13. In the Storm by Karen Metcalf (Na)
14. Spice and Wolf, manga volume 2 by Isuna Hasekura (M)

April

15. Spice and Wolf, manga volume 3 by Isuna Hasekura (M)
16. Graveminder by Melissa Marr (N)
17. Pale Demon by Kim Harrison (N)
18. Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine (N)
19. Prince Caspian by CS Lewis (N)

May

20. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong (N)
21. Amaretto Flame by Sammie Spencer (N)
22. Solid by Shelley Workinger (N)
23. My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent (N)
24. Pirate Haiku by Michael Spradlin (GB)
25. Bride of the Water God, volume 7 by Mi-Kyung Yun (M)
26. Dr. Horrible and Other Horrible Stories by Zack Whedon (GN)

June

27. Spice and Wolf, manga volume 4 by Isuna Hasekura (M)
28. Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong (N)
29. Climbing Out by Brian Ralph (GN)
30. Bride of the Water God, volume 8 by Mi-Kyung Yun (M)
31. Badlands by Seleste deLaney (Na)
32. Black Butler, volume 1 by Yana Toboso (M)
33. Black Butler, volume 2 by Yana Toboso (M)
34. Rose Red by Bill Willingham (GN)
35. The Tarot Cafe, volume 1 by Sang-Sun Park (M)
36. Black Butler, volume 3 by Yana Toboso (M)
37. Chobits, volume 1 by Clamp (M)
38. Red Glove by Holly Black (N)
39. I Wish... by Wren Emerson (N)
40. Chobits, volume 2 by Clamp (M)
41. Chobits, volume 3 by Clamp (M)
42. Chobits, volume 4 by Clamp (M)
43. Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O'Malley (GN)

July

44. Sugar Moon by Sarah Diemer (Na)
45. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (N)
46. Blood Work by Kim Harrison (GN)
47. Senior Year Bites by J.A. Campbell (N)
48. Stolen by Lucy Christopher (N)
49. Becoming (Deluxe) by Kelley Armstrong (GN)
50. Black Butler, volume 4 by Yana Toboso (M)
51. Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson (N)
52. Chobits, volume 5 by Clamp (M)
53. Chobits, volume 6 by Clamp (M)

August

54. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (N)
55. Chobits, volume 7 by Clamp (M)
56. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, volume 1 by Gen Urobuchi (M)
57. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, volume 2 by Gen Urobuchi (M)
58. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, volume 3 by Gen Urobuchi (M)
59. Chobits, volume 8 by Clamp (M)
60. Clubbing by Andi Watson (GN)
61. The Centaur's Daughter by Ellen Jensen Abbott (N)
62. Puella Magi Kazumi Magica: The Innocent Malice, volume 1 by Masaki Hiramatsu (M)
63. Sea Princess Azuri, volume 1 by Erica Reis (M)
64. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by CS Lewis (N)
65. The Selchie's Seed by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim (N)
66. Smith of Wootton Major by J.R.R. Tolkien (N)

September

67. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (N)
68. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (N)
69. A Girl Named Willow Krimble by Giuseppe Bianco (N)
70. Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (GN)
71. Black Butler, volume 5 by Yana Toboso (M)
72. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci (GN)
73. The Initiation by LJ Smith (N)
74. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (N)

October

75. Black Butler, volume 6 by Yana Toboso (M)
76. Black Butler, volume 7 by Yana Toboso (M)
77. If I Die by Rachel Vincent (N)
78. How I Made it to Eighteen by Tracy White (GN)
79. Polly and the Pirates, vol 1 by Ted Naifeh (GN)
80. Laddertop, volume 1 by Orson Scott Card + Emily Janice Card (M)
81. How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr (N)
82. The Spider and the Fly by Tony DiTerlizzi (GN)
83. Perfectly Human by Julie Particka (N)

November

84. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (N)
85. Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr (N)
86. The Captive by LJ Smith (N)
87. The Stone Fey by Robin McKinley (GN)
88. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (N)
89. Avatar: The Lost Adventures by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino (GN)
90. Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (GN)
91. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (N)
92. Magic Trixie by Jill Thompson (GN)
93. Magic Trixie Sleeps Over by Jill Thompson (GN)
94. The Super Scary Monster Show by Landry Walker (GN)
95. To Dance by Siena Cherson Siegel (GN)
96. Miki Falls: Spring by Mark Crilley

December

97. Burned by PC and Kristin Cast (N)
98. Hidden by Kelley Armstrong (Na)
99. 100 Girls by Adam Gallardo (GN)
100. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey (N)
101. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (N)

Short Stories

1. "Beasts and BFFS" by Shannon Delany
2. "Retro Demonology" by Jana Oliver
3. "Old Habits" by Melissa Marr
4. "Cotton Candy Skies" by Melissa Marr
5. “Transition” by Melissa Marr
6. “Merely Mortal” by Melissa Marr
7. “Facing Facts” by Kelley Armstrong
8. “Bloody Sunshine” by Neil Gaiman
9. “Chivalrous” by Kelley Armstrong
10. “Niederwald” by Rachel Vincent
11. “Bridge” by Jeri Smith-Ready
12. "Hare Moon" by Carrie Ryan
13. “Dungeons of Langeais” by Becca Fitzpatrick
14. "Dream Dark" by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
15. “Lila the Werewolf” by Peter S Beagle
16. “Dark Beauty” by Taryn Browning
17. "Forever Summer" by Seleste deLaney
18. "For Fear of Dragons" by Carrie Vaughn
19. "Six Scents" by Lisa Mantchev
20. "Magnus' Vow" by Cassandra Clare
21. "The Power of Six" by Pittacus Lore
22. "First Frost" by Jennifer Estep
23. "Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel" by Kim Harrison
24. "Burning Bright" by Cassandra Clare
25. "Of Loss" by Cassandra Clare

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Winners: Speak

And the winner, of one copy of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is...

Kare

*I was going to give away two copies, but due to the low number of entries, I'm giving away one now and will save one for a giveaway later

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Book Review: Witch Eyes

Braden was born with witch eyes: the ability to see the world as it truly is: a blinding explosion of memories, darkness, and magic. The power enables Braden to see through spells and lies, but at the cost of horrible pain.

After a terrifying vision reveals imminent danger for the uncle who raised and instructed him, Braden retreats to Belle Dam, an old city divided by two feuding witch dynasties. As rival family heads Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe desperately try to use Braden's powers to unlock Belle Dam's secrets, Braden vows never to become their sacrificial pawn. But everything changes when Braden learns that Jason is his father--and Trey, the enigmatic guy he's falling for, is Catherine's son.

To stop an insidious dark magic from consuming the town, Braden must master his gift—and risk losing the one he loves.

I was really looking forward to Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey. My best friend had talked about how much she was looking forward to it in 2010 that I immediately put it on my to read list. Not only that, but I put it on my 11 Must Reads of 2011 list. I got an early signed copy of it at PAYA back in August, and it took me a bit longer to get to it than I had planned. But I finally read it last week and loved it!

Braden, the main character, is a witch. And he's returning to Belle Dam where a witch feud has been taking place for a while. He has a special gift. A sight which allows him to see more than anyone else. But it causes him severe migraines, so he wears sunglasses to block it out. But he learns in Belle Dam that he is not the first with this gift. 

The history of the town and Grace Lansing were interesting. And Lucien was a fascinating character. I liked Catherine a lot, but I'm not sure I should. This is one of those rare books where the main character is narrating and you (and he) aren't sure who to trust, but you like everyone anyway. Usually, if I can't trust you, I don't like you. 

Other things I enjoyed: Braden is gay. It's something he's not had much acceptance for, but he and Trey fall for each other and are absolutely adorable together. It's also narrated by a male character. Something we're finally starting to see a lot more of in the YA collection. And witches! I love vampires, faeries, werewolves, etc... but I love none of them more than witches!

This is definitely a book to look for if you haven't read it. And look for Demon Eyes in 2012!

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THE SLEEPING ARMY

THE SLEEPING ARMY
By Francesca Simon
256 pages. Profile Books Ltd. £9.99. (Ages 8 and up).

ISBN
9781846682780

Rating: 5 Stars

      This book is about a girl named Freya who when she blows a horn at the British Museum is taken to Asgard, the realm of the gods.
      This book is about a young girl called Freya who blows a Viking horn and wakes up four chess pieces Rovska, Alfi, Sleipner and Snot. All five of them are then summoned to Asgard and told to get Iddun the goddess who used to guard there apples that made them stay young and that if they didn't they would turn to stone and wait for the next hero to blow the horn. Freya is just terrified and wants to go home, Alfi is cheerful and happy and helpful, and Snot and Rovska just want to get it done with. What happens when Loki steals the apples back from them when they find them? Will they get them back in time or will they all turn into stone?
      My favourite character is Freya because she is very smart. My favourite part is when she goes into the underworld.  I was amazed when I read this book because Horid Henry is not very attractive to me but this book was brilliant.  I think ages eight through fourteen should read this brilliant book. I think this book definitely deserves five out of five stars.

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A MONSTER CALLS

A MONSTER CALLS
By Patrick Ness. Illustrated by Jim Kay.
216 pages. Walker. £12.99. (Ages 12 and up).

ISBN
9781406311525

Rating: 5 Stars

      This book tells you about a young boy who is visited by a monster.
      It is about a twelve year old boy called Conor who one night sees instead of a yew tree through his window a monster. Another time the monster grabs him, takes him out, and tells him that he shall tell him three stories then he shall then tell the truth and afterwards when he had left and Conor woke up he found poisonous red yew tree berries scattered across the floor. What happens when it finally comes to telling the truth? Will Conor tell it and be rid of the nightmare or shall he live inside the nightmare forever?
      My favourite character is Conor because he is fearless. My favourite part is the scariest part, when Conor is inside the nightmare. Although my parents think the monster is just adrenalin I know that it is real because of the baby yew tree growing in his room. I think ages eight through fifteen should read this brilliant book. I think this book definitely deserves five out of five stars.

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THE BIG SNUGGLE-UP

THE BIG SNUGGLE-UP
By Brian Patten
Illustrated by Nicola Bayley
32 pages. Andersen Press Ltd. £10.99 (Ages 0+)

ISBN
9781849392082

Rating: 4 Stars


This book tells you about an old scarecrow and lots of animals in a house. It is about a scarecrow and nine animals going together in a house. First an old scarecrow and a mouse go in the house. Then a robin and a butterfly go into the house. After that a squirrel and a rabbit come into the house. Next a cat and a dog come into the house. Then a fawn, a lamb, and a donkey came into the house. Lastly a heron, a fox, and an owl came into the house. My favourite character is the dog. My favourite part is when the donkey comes in. I think the pictures are amazingly real. I think ages four and five should read this book. I think this book deserves four out of five stars.
also on Guardian Children's Books Site

(communicated by Agustinia ligabuei; written by Bellusaurus sui)

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EARWIG AND THE WITCH

EARWIG AND THE WITCH
By Diana Wynne Jones
144 pages. HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up).

ISBN
9780007416851

Rating: 4.5 Stars

      This book tells you about an orphan girl who is taken home by a witch.

      It is about a young orphan girl named Earwig who one day is actually chosen to be taken home by someone. Although that someone is a witch plus a tall, skinny, fiery young man. The minute Earwig walks into the witch's home her whole life changes going from getting whatever she wanted to to being a slave for an ugly old witch. What happens when Earwig starts to take her revenge? Will she finally be rid of this witch and win or shall she be defeated by the witch and live the rest of her life as a slave?

      My favourite character is Earwig because she is quite brave. My favourite part is the funniest part, when two hands grow on the witch one on the face and one on the bum. I think this book is exactly as good as the other Diana Wynne Jones books I have read. I think ages eight through twelve should read this wonderful book. I think this book deserves four and a half out of five stars.
also on Guardian Children's Books Site

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