Books Read in 2011

There are so many millions of blog postings I could write about: the move and the setting up of the house and the car accident we were in two days before our move and the delays of fridge deliveries and celebrations of Christmas and my 31st birthday and thoughts on the new year . . . all of which will come. But since I read a friend's post last year, I have been keeping track of all the books I read in 2011 and couldn't wait for the day when I could post the list. This in no way is a recomendation list . . . there were plenty wastes of time in this list . . . it's merely a compilation . . . and I must admit, I originally wanted to read 100 . . . and then as it got closer to the end of the year, I thought 80 was a reasonable goal . . . drat the move - I was one short. (But I'm secretly celebrating that I finished a few more than my avid reader friend in Spokane . . . I love you Sarah . . . but I beat you this year!! Hee hee!!)

So here they are . . . in their wonderful, terrible, entertaining, thought provoking, pointless, encouraging, depressing, hilarious glory. Read on!!

1.       Vanishing Act by Jodi Picoult (search and rescue worker finds out she was abducted by her dad as a little girl – now mom and her dad is awaiting trial in Arizona)

2.      The Sunflower by Simon Wiestenield (holocaust survivor recalls story of being asked for forgiveness by Nazi solider – debate of decision and ramifications)

3  Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson (research and advice on raising girls of quality and character in the current society)

4.       The Pact by Jodi Picoult (teen suicide deemed at possible murder –boyfriend claims suicide pact)

5.       Twenty Pageants Later by Caroline B Cooney (sisters - one in pageants one as backseat supporter. middle school pageant brings two together)

6.       The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (roman type “game” to the death of member of different districts in country – controlled by Capitol)

7.       Loves Enduring Promise by Janette Oke (second book about Marty and Clark and their growing family – build school house and church,  girls get married)

JANUARY

8.       Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (second book in hunger games series)

9.       Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (final book in hunger games series)

10.   Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani (single pharmacist in southern town)

11.   Summer at Tiffany by Majorie Hart (true story of two young women who leave small town in Iowa to get a job at Tiffany in New York – first ladies hired there)

FEBRUARY

12.   The Sheen on the Silk by Anne Perry – crusades and story of mystery and plots for control

13.   A Scarlet Cord by Deborah Raney – Christian love story of man in witness protection

14.    Mercy by Jodi Picoult – man kills his wife when she asked him as she was dying of cancer, goes on trial , police chief having an affair

15.   Loves Abiding Joy by Janette Clark – book four in Mary/Clark series train trip to west to visit Missie, clark falls in mine to save two boys and has to amputate leg

16.   Just Between You and Me by Jenny B Jones – Christian romance, aunt goes back home reluctantly to raise niece, faces fears

17.   What was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn – latch key kid turns spy with tragic ending

18.   Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman – true story of accidental death of their 5 year old little girl and the journey they’d been through 

MARCH

19.   Twig by Elizabeth Orton Jones – Haley’s first chapter book about a little girl and her adventures with a little elf and a fairy

20.   The Ultimate Reality Show by Clay Jacobsen – Christian man gets swooped up in helicopter to participate in a week long survivor type show

21.   A Heart for the Prairie by Laurel Oke Logan – true story of author Janette Oke

22.   Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult – a custody battle for three frozen embryos between a born again Christian ex-husband and wife now living in a lesbian relationship

23.   Where Mercy is Shown, Mercy is Given by Duane “Dog” Chapman – story of the bounty hunter, his family and journey

24.   Safely Home by Randy Alcorn -  story of persecuted church in China and glimpse into prison and business practices as well as story of martyrs and heaven  

APRIL

25.   The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison – a mothers memoir of whats important moments in the journey and not just the destination

26.   Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo – true story of 4 year old boy who, during life threatening surgery goes to heaven and describes Jesus and angels and throne etc.

27.   Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan(with girls) – story of prairie family who sent away for a new wife and mom from Maine

28.   Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult – a story of a young girl abandoned by her mom at age five then faced with becoming a mother and dealing with the stress

29.   Beautiful Things Happen when a Woman Trusts God by Shelia Walsh – progression of lessons learned by 10 people in the bible and her story of depression and growth 

MAY

30.   Healer by Carol Cassella – family loses everything in pharmaceutical research moves to small town where wife becomes doctor of clinic for migrants and discovery of connection

31.   Susannah’s Garden by Debbie Macomber – a 50 yr old women has to put mom in assisted living and face what ifs of the past

32.   Mr. Poppers Penguin by Richard and Florence Atwawter – read out loud with girls in preparation for the movie story of man who raises penguins in city and creates show

33.   Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik – story of a book club and their lives together through ups and downs and experiences

34.   A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick – a mail order bride comes to discover plan to rescue lost son and twist continues as she planned with the lost son

35.   Playing by Heart by Deborah Raney – an author writes in a bed and breakfast and falls in love with the owner by notes written back and forth

36.   The Peculiar Miss Pickett by Nancy R. Julian – read with Hannah story of magical babysitter who, when she takes off her glasses, has amazing things happen

37.   Hope is Contagious by Kenneth Hutchesrson – incredible inspirational story of Antioch’s pastor

38.   Summer of Glorious Madness by Christy Yorke – bipolar man and his therapist and their journey through life with eachother and the many sides of the illness 

JUNE

39.   Oxygen by Carol Cassella – anesthesiologist charged with death of little girl having surgery story of litigation and truth of events

40.   The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender – a young girl discovers talent to taste people’s emotions through the food they make

41.   Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Green – a Jewish girl hides a German boy on the run from a POW camp

42.   Glastonbury Tor by LeAnne Hardy – quest of young man through monetary looking for forgiveness and his place in the world

43.   Huge by Sasha Plaley – Wil’s story of attending fat camp forced by her fitness club parents

44.   Priceless Memories by Bob Barker – biorgraphy of famous tv host

45.   The Chasm by Randy Alcorn – a look at Christ’s sacrifice and the gift of grace

46.   Sold by Patricia McCormick – a first hand account of the sex trade industry in India  

JULY

47.   Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed – story of the Rankin family who helps in the escape of slaves during the mid to late 1800s

48.   The Boy on the Bus by Deborah Schupack – strange mystery of lost boy replaced by look alike

49.   The Help by Kathryn Stockett – interviews of black maids during 50/60’s

50.   Moonface by Angela Balcita – true story man gives kidney to wife

51.   Forget Her Nots by Brecount White – teen girl who has ability to read flower messages

52.   The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall – gpa leaves billion to grandson after 12 mnths of tasks

53.   The Ultimate Life by Jim Stovall – family sues for billions and gson has to reprove tasks

54.   Three Weeks with my Brother by Nicolas Sparks – true story of trip around the world with his brother includes family stories all throughout  

AUGUST

55.   The Liberating Truth by Danielle Strickland – a liberal view of God’s plan for women

56.   Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda – girl adopted from India by family unable to have children. As a college student she travels to discover her roots and attempt to find birth mom

57.   From the Garden to the City by John Dyer – the redeeming and corrupting power o technology

58.   A Spoonful of Poison by M.C. Beaton – detective Agatha Raisin solves crime in small village

59.   Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah – couple discovering who they are and what they want after kids are in college and hubby offered job of his dreams in New York

60.   The World-Tilting Gospel by Dan Phillips – intense look at what the bible says about the gospel and living as an outrageous Christian

61.   So Much to Say Made Mathews Band by Nikki Van Noy – over detailed history of 20 years on the road

62.   Your Eight Year Old by Louise Bates – developmental and emotional overview

63.   What I Call Life by Jill Wolfson – teenage girl forced to move into group home 

SEPTEMBER

64.   Playing Hurt by Brian Goins – a guy’s strategy for a winning marriage

65.   Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen – man reevaluates wealthy life after heart attack

66.   Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult – amish woman accused of killing her baby

67.   Refuge on Crescent Hill by – woman inherits grandmas house and discovers passage to underground railroad

68.   Become a Famous Writer before you’re Dead by Ariel Gore – tips and ideas

69.   Little Bee by Chris Cleave – refugee finds family whom she met on beach  

OCTOBER

70.   The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer – author goes to island to write about effects of war and loves the life there

71.   Things I Learned about My Dad (in therapy) by Heather B. Armstrong – compilation of essays about fatherhood

72.   Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin – fictional biography of Alice in Wonderland told through the eyes of Alice

73.   The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad – first hand look at Afghani life

74.   Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult – teacher wrong-fully accused of rape with a minor tries to start over in a small town only to be harassed and framed for another crime

75.   Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult – seven year old talks to God after divorce and miracles start happening around her

NOVEMBER

76.   Amish Grace by Donald Krraybill, Steven Nolt, and David Weaver – school shooting in Amish community and their response

77.   Grace by Elizabeth Scott – young girl trained to be suicide bomber purposely fails then has to escape

78.   Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult – life in an abusive relationship with a celebrity

79.   Jars of Glass by Brad Barkley – family dealing with loss in different ways