Literary Exploration discussion

Looking for book ideas for a best of 2011 poll for next year.

Only one I can think of at the moment was the 2011 Pulitzer prize winner A Visit from the Goon Squad but that was a 2010 book.

I think the Man Booker Prize Winner should definately be an option.

Goodreads also does a list of the most popular books published in 2011 which might be useful for inspiration :)

Have to wait for those, I'm just starting the collection now

I've only read a couple books released this year but noteworthy ones would be Before I Go to Sleep and The Wise Man's Fear

The Lotus Eaters was published in 2011 (I believe) and it's very good. There's also a possibility that Caleb's Crossing: A Novel was also published in 2011, which is a fantastic book.

I thought Caleb's Crossing was quite good too. I also found Faith: A Novel exceptional. I will check out the other good ones I've read this year to find out when they were published.

I really enjoyed Before I Go to Sleep (suggested by Kim).

Delirium, by Lauren Oliver, was also published in 2011 and wasn't as horrible as I thought. Very Hunger-Games-Ripoff but aside from that pretty well written for a modern YA.

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen was as wonderful as all her other books... they all get 5+ stars from me, she is that amazing of an author!


I'm sure that there are other published-in-2011 books I've read that I loved but I can't remember any. xD

Xeni, didn't realize that Delirium was like Hunger Games. I'll have to check that one out. Do you think most high school students would read that book?

Ummm... Honestly (and personally) I'd stick it more as a 7th-8th grade level. The whole first-love experienced by the author seems to fit that age range better in my eyes.

Also, Delirium is on 'like' Hunger Games. I firmly believe that the latter is a more powerful story and has more to learn from it.

Delirium is interesting, though. Makes you think of life in a few different ways. Perhaps Unwind is more what you're looking for?

♥Xeni♥ wrote: "Ummm... Honestly (and personally) I'd stick it more as a 7th-8th grade level. The whole first-love experienced by the author seems to fit that age range better in my eyes.

Also, Delirium is on 'l..."

Thanks. I've read all The Hunger Games books and really liked them( well, except the last one.) I thought the author did a good job of conveying the dystopian theme. But, I'm pretty hesitant about YA reads, but I was just thinking about what students might like. Well, thanks for the heads up, and I'll check out Unwind.

Does anyone who has read it think that all the hype around The Night Circus is valid and therefore is should be a part of this poll?

Xeni is they only one I know that has read it, I think she liked it ;)

Philippa wrote: "Does anyone who has read it think that all the hype around The Night Circus is valid and therefore is should be a part of this poll?"

OH MY GOSH IT IS AMAZING!!!!!

And I'm not just saying that either. I stayed up two nights in a row and totally slept during school (med school!) which I tend to take very seriously just to read this book!!

♥Xeni♥ wrote: "OH MY GOSH IT IS AMAZING!!!!! And I'm not just saying that either. I stayed up two nights in a row and totally slept during school (med school!) which I tend to take very seriously just to read this book!!"

I take it that's a yes then? ;)

Yes. :D

I'm still not convinced Xeni liked it :P

I keep hearing about it so I'll add The Night Circus to my TBR list

Oh, that's probably because I didn't "like it", KL. :p I freaking LOVED IT!

Honestly, I'll probably be reading it again. And I don't say that lightly. My pile of TBR books that I own is bigger than any library's. :/

♥Xeni♥ wrote: "Oh, that's probably because I didn't "like it", KL. :p I freaking LOVED IT!

Honestly, I'll probably be reading it again. And I don't say that lightly. My pile of TBR books that I own is bigger th..."

Well you loved The City & the City so I trust you're taste (a little) so I might try to read it too.

I'd suggest The Tiger's Wife, Tea Obreht.
Also agree on The Night Circus, which to me felt like literary art deco noir (added: but not weighty).

It's not that often that I get to read books during the year they are published, but so far, my best of 2011 list consists of:
The Sisters Brothers
State of Wonder
and
The Prospect of My Arrival

I agree with The Sisters Brothers. It was phenomenal. I have to still read State of Wonder!! Thanks for reminding me!

These are all 2011 releases that are on my to read list:

Compared to Cormac McCarthy and Flannery O'Connor-- Donald Ray Pollock's "The Devil All the Time"

http://www.indiebound.org/book/978038...

William Kennedy's first novel in over a decade-- "Chango's Beads and Two Tone Shoes"

http://www.npr.org/books/titles/14105...

Charles Frazier's third outing turns to 1960's North Carolina--an author critics just love to hate. Beware the NYTimes review which gives away almost every bit of plot. Frazier's wife was quite upset over this one when we spoke about it this past week. "Nightwoods"

http://www.reviewsofbooks.com/nightwo...

I've read each of Mark Childress's novels. This one is quite delightful. I have read this one. Great humor. "Georgia Bottoms"

http://www.booksmith.com/event/mark-c...

I read Marlantes' haunting "Matterhorn" when it was first released. I've begun his non-fiction book, "What it is Like to Go to War." Stunning.

http://www.indiebound.org/book/978080...

Finished Snowdrops today which is up for the Booker and I can see why. Easily a book you could curl up with on a Sunday afternoon and finish in one sitting. I felt completely transported to Russia for the duration of the read and carried along by the narrative.

The Queen: A Patrick Bowers Thriller. I'm so glad this came out this year and...
The Devil Colony love Sigma Force!

We'll have to work out a way to narrow down the choices

There are a lot of great books here, and I'm sure the list is only going to get longer. BUT, just because a book is good, doesn't mean it's right for a group discussion. I loved The Sisters Brothers, but really don't know what there is to say about it...um, it's an interesting character study with a high body count? The same with The Night Circus - a fun book, but what's there to discuss?
I guess it will be up to the moderators to whittle down the list. Hehehe - glad it's not my problem:P

I have two suggestions for narrowing down the list.. the first one being we use a nominate/second system and only books that have been seconded make the poll.

Or we run two polls, one at the beginning of the month with all the suggested titles for say 2 weeks and then a second one with only the top 4/5 from the first poll. That way everything gets a chance.

Two polls may take to long but both great ideas

A main poll and then a run-off poll shouldn't be too much of a problem.

2011 isn't even over yet, though!

Just getting prepared :P

Mkay, you do that. I'll read the books and you pick which I like the most :D

I nominate The Marriage Plot. I read it this week and was blown away. It also has great potential for discussion.

I also agree with Melki about State of Wonder. I am rereading it right now.

We will have to add The Sense of an Ending to the list too

Knowledge Lost wrote: "We will have to add The Sense of an Ending to the list too"

Has anyone here read the Booker winner?

HERE IS OUR 2011 LIST...so far

- A Visit from the Goon Squad (Pulitzer Prize Winner 2011)
- The Sense of an Ending (Man Booker Prize Winner 2011)
- Before I Go to Sleep (Suggested by Kim & Xeni & KL)
- The Wise Man's Fear (Suggested by Kim)
- Caleb's Crossing (Suggested by BarbaraSC & Heather)
- Faith: A Novel (Suggested by Heather)
- Delirium (Suggested by Xeni)
- The Peach Keeper (Suggested by Xeni)
- The Night Circus (Suggested by Phillipa & Xeni & Luana & Melki)
- The Tiger's Wife (Suggested by Luana)
- The Sisters Brothers (Suggested by Melki)
- State of Wonder (Suggested by Melki & Heather)
- The Prospect of My Arrival (Suggested by Melki)
- The Devil All the Time (Suggested by Mike)
- Chango's Beads and Two-Tone Shoes (Suggested by Mike)
- Nightwoods (Suggested by Mike)
- Georgia Bottoms (Suggested by Mike)
- What It is Like to Go to War (Suggested by Mike)
- Snowdrops (Suggested by Phillipa)
- The Queen: A Patrick Bowers Thriller (Suggested by Hugh)
- The Devil Colony (Suggested by Hugh)
- The Marriage Plot (Suggested by Heather)

We need to start narrowing down this list, so I'm open for suggestions on what to get rid of. I ave removed anything released last year (that didn't win a literary award) and I did consider removing anything that was part of a series that isn't book 1 (but that wouldn't be fair on Hugh).

Actually, I understand that. Both of mine are only on theire because they were released in 2011. I wasn't aware that either of them won any literarry awards.

Also, if one wanted to make a "to be read" List (as if i need another one) out of this best of list, you'd have to read the others in each series to make sense of it.

Of the two of them, I really like the spiritual message tucked neatly into "The Queen: A Patrick Bowers Thriller" but there is no real spiritual message in the Sigma Force Series. I just loved the books (entire series).

It wouldn't dent my bucket if the Devil colony was removed frm the list. I'd like to hear an idea of what should be on the "best of list" (criteria for inclusion?) but it's likely The Queen could come off too since it doesn't seem to be the type of books as most of the others on the list.

Both books look really interesting, I've not read either series, so I might have to try book one sometime. As for the best of 2011 list I've compiled, I left those two books there as they are decent choices, I'm just not sure if we should use them or not. We will find a fair way to narrow down the choices to 4-6 books to vote on for a monthly read.

Works for me. There both really fun series. I liked "The Queen" better than "Devil's Colony" but I can't pick a favorite series. I've enjoyed both very much.

I need to get up to date on the Sigma Force series. I've only read the first four.

I've read them all and their all good (some better than others, but no bad ones). The Patrick Bowers Files are pretty cool also.

I think you'd like Steve Berry's books. I've added The Pawn to my TBR list.

It hasn't been released yet, but would it be possible to add something (after it is released) - Haruki Murakami 1Q84, due out in a few days (don't know if I'll like it yet but would like to leave the door open,or ajar :)

That would be a good follow-up to 1984. Just keep in mind - it is over 900 pages...

Looks interesting but 900+ pages :O

Is it just me or do long books always seem to go down easier and quicker on an e-reader?

it's cuz big books are so uncomfortable to read

no kidding, the last 700 pager (hardback) almost gave me carpal tunnel - but I'm determined :)