Well, with only 3 days to spare, I am happy to report that I have finally finished my 12th book of the year! Reading 12 books in 12 months was one of my goals for 2011, and I am thrilled that I met my goal! Thankfully, I was way ahead of the count before I started school, because I haven't had much time for leisure reading since June! Here is the list of my 2011 reads and links to my book reviews if you're curious about any of them :)
2. The Help
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain --- Tied for my top read of 2011!!!
9. Hunger Games --- Tied for my top read of 2011!!!
10. Catching Fire
11. Mockingjay
12. Room --- see review below
Room, a novel by Emma Donoghue, is unlike anything else I have ever read. Inspired by true events, although a fictional story, Room is narrated by our 5-year-old protagonist Jack. Jack's mother was kidnapped off the streets at 19 years old, and has been held captive by Old Nick for 7 years. Jack was born into captivity and has never set foot outside of their soundproof, escape-proof shack located in Old Nick's back yard. To Jack, Room is home.
Eventually fed up with the life of slaves, and willing to risk everything for freedom, Jack's mother devises a plan for escape. Throughout the book, Jack's perspective on reality undergoes drastic changes. To begin with, he only knows tangible things in Room to be real; everything else is only on TV. Then, his mother tries to explain to him about the world outside of Room. But how impossible would it be to imagine the vastness of the world having never set foot in it? Then, upon his escape, he must relearn everything he thought he new about the world.
Though the setting is a seemingly tragic situation, Room is a beautiful story. It is one about the bond between a mother and a son. It is one about how confinement affects human development. And it is a story of healing after pain.
This book is told from a perspective unlike any I have ever read, and I highly recommend it. It is thought-provoking, and unique in that a 5-year-old is the hero of our story. :)
What were your favorite reads of 2011???
I still have 2 1/2 weeks left of break and I'd love to squeeze in a few more reads!
I've been working on Elizabeth Gilbert's Committed, her follow-up to Eat, Pray, Love for nearly 6 months...and let's just say it's nothing like her best seller! Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
Cheers to literature and expanding our viewpoints beyond any perspective we've ever imagined :)
Hey! Have you ever heard or read Shadow of the Winds and the second book that is by the same author? I have read both. They have some romance, suspense and mystery in them.
ReplyDeleteI hope that your break is going well so far and that it has been relaxing for you!