Our top reads from 2011

Well, it’s that time of year where we’re all making our lists of favorites from 2011.  At LME Library, we had a variety of staff submit some of their favorite reads.  So without much more ado, here they are:

Adult Fiction

Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb—from the author, Melanie Benjamin, who wrote Alice I Have Been, comes a wonderful novel based on the life of Lavinia Warren Bump.  The characters are so well sketched that it’s hard to figure out what actually happened in real life and what the author supposed.  

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella—fun summer read that our book group just adored.  

The last 3 of Janet Evanovich’s books—Janet started a new series (Lizzy & Diesel)  and added 2 more to her numbered novels.  She never fails to indulge me with happy goofiness, and 3 in quick succession provided a much needed respite!  

The Help—I had to wait a long time for this one (the waiting list at one time topped over 350 holds in the system!) but it was well worth it.  Things that sound ridiculous to us like adding a second bathroom so that “the help” didn’t share the same toilet were deadly serious in the 1960s.  I enjoyed the different points of view, the historical perspective, and the touches of karma.   

Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci—one of Glady’s favorite authors hits the mark on this one!  This thriller has a terrorist plot toward the government in Washington, DC.  There are lots of twists, turns, and surprises in a story that’s to become a movie. 

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy—a challenging story of a recovering alcoholic who is asked by the terminally ill mother of his child to raise the baby girl after she is born.  With his demons tugging at him, he realizes he can’t do it alone, so he turns to his family and friends for help.  

Adult Non-Fiction

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson—this non-fiction book has it all!  It covers the history of the World’s Fair in Chicago and the trials and tribulations of putting this mammoth project together--plus--it follows a serial killer cleverly at work and who was getting away with murder. Larson also wrote this year’s popular, In the Garden of the Beasts.   

Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston’s Flour Bakery + Café by Joanne Chang—when she say spectacular, she mean spectacular!  Beautiful photographs and wonderful recipes fill this inspiring cookbook.  Once you see the cover, you’ll be captivated!  

Teen Reads

Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins—yes, they are just as good as you heard.  Now with the movie coming out, they will continue to be popular reads.  

Leviathan trilogy by Scott Westerfeld mixes history with science fiction in this wonderful series about airships, an errant prince, and the fight to end WW I.  

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott—I’ve gotten hooked on this and continue to work my way through the series.  I love the way Scott incorporates historical figures and mythology.  If you liked Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, you’ll also like this.  

Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater—will appeal to the fans of Twilight.  There’s werewolves, romance, and tensions galore.  

Fallen series by Lauren Kate—another series sure to capture Twilight fans.  Immortals, outcasts, and love stories make up the series.  The next book, a stand-alone is due out in January 2012. 

Looking for more picks?  The Early Word is streaming "Librarians Favorites from 2011" from Twitter.  Maybe you'll find some of your new favorites there!