Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011-The Year in Books

Ok, last walk down the 2011 memory lane. Today I will review my favorite reads  this year. I will say...I had a hard time finding books I just adored this past year-there were some I really liked-it was a hot and cold kind of year in the book department- but maybe I just picked a lot of good books but not great books to read this past year.
So here we go:
Best Nonfiction reads
I just adore reading about this woman. What a life!
The Origin (Signet)
My present read-fascinating
Product Details
This was a great read---heartwarming
What a fascinating multi-level story
Wicked River: The Mississippi When It Last Ran Wild
I found this book fascinating. Books like this really open your eyes to what it was like in different times. My kind of history.
Product Details
I love this author- and this book is about science-A+
Best Travel reads
Rick Steve's writes fantastic travel books, especially for someone who enjoys Europe as much as I do.
Product Details
theme trips are great-want to take a lot more of them in 2012
Product Details
Not so bad a read
Best cookbooks
Product Details
I love to bake and eat sweets-this has so many fantastic recipes- I even got it at T.J. Maxx for $12.99-how can you go wrong
The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook: 150 Delicious Recipes Using Only Foods from the World's Greatest Grocery Store
These are great cookbooks-love the 3 I have!!!!!
Product Details
Not a new cookbook for me but I've used this a lot to try several new chili recipes
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home
Got this for Christmas and am ready to try some of these recipes
Nigella Christmas: Food Family Friends Festivities
Also, still using the Nigella Larson books a lot too, not new to me but enjoy them...
Best fiction
I read a couple from this series which I seriously enjoyed. Think its time to read another one-once I finish my recent book.
The Eight
Great summer beach read

I enjoyed this series a lot, but then I discovered the author passed away so we will never know what will happen.
Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum)
Always a light and fun read
Product Details
This one was wat better than the last one
Product Details
A good summer read
Product Details
rereading it now and it is as good as when I first read ages ago

Best art books
Product Details
Not much jumping out in my brain for 2011-I cut WAY back on my art book purchases and except for a couple, I can't really remember those that stood out to me. This Martha Stewart holiday book has some great ideas-as she always does
Interactive Cards (Annie's Attic)
I did get a couple of pop-up card books and have been little by little playing around with pop-ups.
But my pick is my discovery is Craft Stamper magazine. Not just this issue!


And I still love this magazine.

I don't think for me, 2011 was an outstanding book year. I hope 2012 is though.
Think I need to be a better recorder of books this upcoming year on my blog.

And-since today is the last day of 2011-
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
I wish you all a happy new year.
I'll be back with new art and no more year wrap up lists, but does feel good to look back and take stock.
Don't know what I'll do to end this year, maybe I'll just roll into 2012 without doing anything much.
Have had a great week off...
some studio time
some relaxing time
reading
watching another mini-series-John Adams
went beach walking one day
took a road trip to Maine one day-did some shopping at LL Bean
went to a UNH/Brown hockey game
and got my kitchen cabinets re-organized
it's all good

Happy December 31 and I'll be back next year- (LOL)

No comments: