This was the year the Harry Potter series came to an end.  I’ve been a big fan of the movies through the years; mostly because my wife is a huge fan and got me hooked.  But I never picked up an HP book.  I just had no desire to read the books after seeing a movie.

That all changed after the last movie.  I wanted answers and the books were the only way to get them.

I read about 20 books this year but the only ones I’ll list here are the ones that stick out in my mind….and the ones I can remember reading!

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

By far the best book of 2011.  Erin’s fluid prose captures the reader’s imagination like no other book I’ve read.  This was a book I just couldn’t put down and I’m impatiently awaiting her next release….although I know it will be a very long time until that day!

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Most people probably figured this one out pretty quickly.  I didn’t and I’m glad I didn’t.  I love being surprised at the end of a book.  Gantos is a spectacular writer with great imagination and believable characters.  This is an easy read I suggest for a vacation or summer-read.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Link

The first four HP books were consumed fairly quickly.  The entire Potter series is an easy read, especially if you’ve seen the movies.  But I’m having trouble with Order of the Phoenix.  It’s not that I’m struggling with the book.  I’m struggling with it keeping my interest.  As the largest book of the series at 870 pages, waning interest is not a good thing!

I think I’m just burned out at this point; but I will definitely continue on and finish the book.  What I really need is a snow day where I can sit in my study with a cup of hot chocolate and my Beagle and plow through the rest of this book.

There were many, many other books this year but at this point I’m having trouble recalling exactly what they were.  I guess if I can’t recall, they just weren’t that memorable.

I’ll be back in a few days to put together my initial 2012 reading list.

I would like to thank Erin Morgenstern for loads of great suggestions too.