Good Books 2011

Here are some of favorites from 2011.

The Housekeeper and the Professor
by Yoko Ogawa
We read this in our book club. A wonderful story and quick read.

Loving Frank: A Novel
by Nancy Horan
The very interesting story of Frank Lloyd Wright and his lover Mamah Borthwick Cheney and how their relationship ended in tragedy.

The Return of the Native
by Thomas Hardy
Another book club selection. I remember reading Jude the Obscure in high school and loving it. The Return of the Native, although difficult reading sometimes due to the archaic English, was a great story. 

The Other Side of the Bridge
by Mary Lawson
Our book club selection for March was written by Canadian writer Mary Lawson. Very interesting story that made for lively discussion.

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana
by Anne Rice
Second book in her Christ the Lord series. Easy reading highlights Christ's journey in life ending at the wedding in Cana. I have really enjoyed the two books in this series and look forward to her third. This, and the first book in the series, are the only books I've read by Anne Rice. These books make me want to read more of her work.

We Need to Talk About Kevin tie-in: A Novel (P.S.)
by Lionel Shriver
Although I wouldn't call this a favorite, it is a notable read for me as the book was riveting, although extremely disturbing. A book that looks at the events leading up to a school massacre.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford
A book club selection. Unfortunately, I missed the discussion on this book which I had hoped to participate in. This book looks at the life of a Japanese family taken to an internment camp during WWII told from the perspective of a young Chinese-American boy. I loved it!

The Bookman's Promise
by John Dunning
Part of a series of books about the life of a bookseller. This is the third in the series and did not disappoint. If you are interested in the world of booksellers, you'll enjoy this series.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot
Again, a book club selection. Although the book centers around the world of cells and medical use of cells, it reads like a story. Fascinating.

Olive Kitteridge
by Elizabeth Strout
I loved, loved, loved this book of short stories tied together by the wonderful character Olive Kitteridge! Easy reading that will have you laughing out loud in parts.

The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel
by Diane Setterfield
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written story. When you are looking for something to read on a slow, rainy (or snowy!) afternoon, this is the book to read.

A Patchwork Planet (Fawcett Book)
by Anne Tyler
This was a great little read. Went fast and was a humorous and touching story.

Her Fearful Symmetry
by Audrey Niffenegger
Another book by the author of the Time Traveler's Wife. Although I did not find this book as appealing the Time Traveler's Wife, I did enjoy it and found it hard to put down. A bit weird, but worth the effort.

Room: A Novel
by Emma Donoghue
This book had been on my shelf for a while, and when it became our book club selection, I got right into it. OMG!!! This was a great story. One of those books I couldn't put down. Seemed like I toted it from room to room. Read it!

The Tavern on Maple Street
by Sharon Owens
This is the third book by Irish writer Sharon Owens that I have read. I enjoyed the first two, and this one was just as good. Takes place in a small Northern Ireland town with a great cast of characters. The story takes place in a tavern and kept me smiling as each new customer or employee was introduced.

The School of Essential Ingredients
by Erica Bauermeister
I just finished this book and loved it! Centers around a cooking school and the people who attend the classes. Beautifully written.

There were a lot of others that I read, but these were the best of the bunch.