Since I’ve had this blog, each January I have listed the books I read the previous year. Here are 2011’s books with one-sentence synopses.
1. Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury – Christian Fiction. A teenage girl, sensitive to the needs of an autistic classmate, takes a stand against her popular friends to look for a miracle.
2. Witness by Karen Hesse – Young Adult Fiction. Written in blank verse, this is the story of the Ku Klux Klan’s attempt to move into a small town in Vermont. I reviewed this book in January.
3. Blue Like Jazz – Christian Non-Fiction. Donald Miller tells of his faith walk and the people he meets along the way.
4. Critic’s Choice by Ira Levin – Play. The wife of a literary critic for a large New York City newspaper write a mediocre play and manages to get it produced.
5. The Outlander by Gil Adamson – Fiction. A woman running from an abusive husband finds help, comfort and love with a reclusive mountain man in the far reaches of Canada.
6. Wedding Belles by Alan Bailey – Play. Delightful tale about three spinsters who volunteer to provide a wedding for a young girl with no family.
7. True Grit by Charles Portis – Fiction. The classic story of Mattie Ross’ pursuit of her father’s killer.
8. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller – Christian Non-Fiction. Story of the making of Donald Miller’s book Blue Like Jazz into a movie.
9. Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury – Christian Fiction. A couple learn that their five-year-old son’s birth parents plan to sue for custody.
10. The Captain’s Dog by Roland Smith – YA Creative Non-Fiction. Adventures on the Lewis and Clark Expedition from the point of view of Captain Lewis’ dog.
11. A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen – Christian Essay. Perspectives on how to lead a life of contentment.
12. The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve – Fiction. When her husband is killed in a plane crash, a widow finds about his secret life, including another family in Europe.
13. Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult – Fiction. A prominent prosecuting attorney kills the priest accused of abusing her child. This book was reviewed here in May.
14. The Trial by Robert Whitlow – Christian Fiction. An attorney with a lot of baggage of his own, takes the case of a young man accused of murdering a young girl. The Trial was reviewed in June.
15. God Came Near by Max Lucado – Christian Motivation. Scripture-based readings about God coming to earth as Jesus.
16. Hotel by Arthur Hailey – Fiction. Plush hotel in New Orleans faces bankruptcy while several sub-plots are taking place.
17. Mosaic by Verna Lee Hinegardner – Poetry. Chapbook by the former Arkansas Poet Laureate.
18. The Helper by Catherine Marshall – Christian Essays. The author shares stories of encounters with the Holy Spirit.
19. Same Kind of Different Than Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore – Christian Non-Fiction. Story of the unexpected friendship between a homeless man and a wealthy art dealer. This Book was reviewed in August.
20. The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt – YA Fiction. Life along the Northwest Passage is hard and sometimes tragic for a young boy and his family.
21. Just Like Jesus – Christian Motivation. Max Lucado writes about Jesus’ attributes and how we can immulate them in our lives.
22. An Uncommon Crusade by Caron Guillo – Christian Fiction. Story of three youth involved in the Children’s Crusade during the 12th Century. This book was reviewed in October.
23. Like a Rock by Steve May – Christian Motivation. Studies on character building from 1 Thessalonians.
24. The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo – Biography. Minister’s family is persecuted and beset by problems created by an angry church member.
25. A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck – YA Fiction. Two pre-teens travel from Chicago to visit their grandmother in rural Illinois with resulting culture shock.
26. House Rules by Jodi Picoult – Fiction. Teen age boy with Asberger’s Syndrome is accused of murdering his social skills mentor.
27. Near to the Heart of God by Robert J. Morgan – Christian Devotional. Daily readings based on a connection with favorite Christian hymns.