This survey is put out by Perpetual Page Turner. I've added some of my own statistics at the beginning and then answer (most of) the questions at the end
Total books read: 138
Female authors: 81 (59%)
Male authors: 57 (41%)
I actually don't pay attention to the gender of authors when I choose books to read, but I am surprised that this isn't a more even split.
Non-fiction: 28 (20%)
Fiction: 110 (80%)
I am not really surprised by this split as I am much more interested in fiction than non-fiction. However, the non-fiction I read this year was fantastic!
Adult books: 76
YA books: 62
I am shocked that my YA number isn't higher given that I am a high school librarian and I feel like I read more YA books during the year than adult. Guess not.
Countries visited through reading: 41
Afghanistan, An un-named South American country, Bhutan, Botswana, China, Congo, Czechoslovakia
Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Various Middle Eastern countries in a non-fiction book, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Guinea, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Korea, Outer space, Palestine, Philippines
Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, Uganda, United Kingdom, USA (25 states), Zimbabwe
Now that the details are exposed, how does that translate into actual books?
Best book of 2011?
As was true in 2010, I am not good at picking one favorite so this year I choose Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen for my favorite YA book and for adult books, Dreams of Joy by Lisa See and The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.
Worst book of 2011?
I tend not to finish books if I don't like them and then I forget about them, but the one I did finish and liked the least would have to be Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart. I heard an interview about this book on NPR and it sounded so good I went out and bought it. But, it just didn't work for me.
Most surprising (in a good way) book of 2011?
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen was really good and I didn't expect that. I don't know why. I've read some of her Sammy Keyes mysteries with my daughter and liked them, but this one really hit me as very good.
I'd also put Shine by Lauren Myracle in this category. I hadn't read any of her other books and didn't expect this one to be as good and as meaningful as it was.
Book you recommended to people most in 2011?
For non-fiction it's definitely Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and for fiction Dreams of Joy by Lisa See.
Best series you discovered in 2011?
I didn't discover any series this year, what a shame because I love that feeling when I finish one book and then know that there are more to come with the same characters.
Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand gets this category. I was completely caught up in the story of x surviving on a raft in the Pacific and then in Japanese POW camps.
Book you most anticipated in 2011?
Last year I loved Lisa See's Shanghai Girls so when I found out there was a sequel (Dreams of Joy) that I could read this year, I was extremely excited. Even better is that I loved the book
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
I think my favorites are Shine by Lauren Myracle and Little Princes by G Connor. I am all about the pleasing colors.
Most memorable character in 2011?
Who do I most think about? The characters in Dreams of Joy by Lisa See, for sure. Both of the sisters and the daughter have stayed with me since I read the book in early 2011.
Book you feel you should read in 2012? Ok, I kind of added this question...
The Night Circus is getting such great reviews everywhere, but the description scares me.
Book you are most anticipating in 2012?
I am really looking forward to When She Woke by Hilary Jordan since I thought Mudbound was fantastic. Also, I like the cover and that it's adapted from The Scarlett Letter.
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