Top 3 Reads of 2011

One of my favorite Year End posts is a wrap-up of what I've read and loved. So I am excited about our topic this week!

Compared to a lot of other writers, I am a sloooooow reader, so I've only read 36 books so far this year. I wish it was more (and so does my TBR pile, which is getting close to taking over my life), but writing uses a lot of my energy, and sometimes I have none left for other words.

Here are my top 3 reads this year (so far).

So many people were talking about Anna Dressed in Blood, I decided to take a look. I downloaded a sample on my Kindle and was immediately hooked by Cas's voice.

He reminded me a little bit of the Winchester brothers from Supernatural, or Cas from Holly Black's White Cat.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.

I had the privilege of reading this book way back in September when I won an ARC in a contest. I'd heard a lot of talk about it, but I was a little burnt out on the dystopian genre, so I didn't have high expectations.

But whoa did I fall for this book. Day and June were distinct enough that I didn't need to read the chapter headings in order to know who was narrating. I loved how infamous Day was in the Republic, but how, beneath all that, he was just a kid taking care of his family.

I highly recommend Legend. Even if you think you've read enough dystopian, read this one. Just one more!

I emailed my agent a week or so ago asking (begging) her for a copy of Shadow & Bone. Last year we sent an ARC of Divergent around and I was hoping (HOPING!) she'd allow us to do the same with S&B. And she obliged!

The day I got this book in the mail, I started reading. And from page one, I was hooked.

Leigh knows how to craft credible relationships in so few pages. Immediately you are invested in Alina's relationship with Mal. You are rooting for them from the first chapter. And don't even get me started on the Darkling. Ladies will be swooning. SWOONING. But he's such a mysterious, complex character, you won't know whether to love him, or fear him.

Unfortunately, Shadow & Bone doesn't release till next year, but trust me when I tell you, it'll be worth the wait. Buy it as soon as you can, clear your schedule, and dive in. You won't be disappointed.

(P.S. I apologize to those who commented on my last post---the ALTERED playlist---for not immediately responding. I am planning to post the full playlist on my own blog tomorrow!)

Jennifer Rush is the author of ALTERED coming Fall 2012 from Little, Brown. Check out her blog for news and updates.