Writer Russell Banks’s statement that “[l]ists
of books we reread and books we can't finish tell more about us than about the
relative worth of the books themselves” can be applied to lists of best
books as well. Such lists are subjective, and I know from my time with the
Romance Vagabonds that even readers with similar tastes are unlikely to produce
identical best books lists. Even knowing this, I am fascinated by the annual
compilation of best books lists and read every one that comes through my email,
Google reader, or Tweet stream. I cheer when I see one of my favorites
recognized, mutter imprecations when one I deem unworthy is acknowledged, and
make notes about those I’ve missed but think I will enjoy. Only Booklist lacked the discernment in 2011
to agree with me about a single one of the best romance fiction books of the
year. Library Journal and I concurred on three; it would have been four if I
allowed myself to include two books by one author. Amazon and I agreed on two,
and even Publishers Weekly included one of my best books in their brief (top
five) list. (Check out their slide show and see if you think they may be biased
in favor of books with blue in the cover design.)
I created my own best books list before I ever heard of
email loops, bulletin boards, or blogs, carefully noting in my reading journal
the books that had given me particular delight, challenged me to think long
thoughts, or led me into a world that I left with a sigh and a promise to
return. But my annual list has been more fun since I’ve had an audience with
whom to share it. I look forward to going public and having people say, “Oh,
yes! I loved that one too.” It’s almost
as much fun when someone says, “Oh, surely not. I didn’t even finish that one.”
Differences make for interesting conversation.
Some people rank their best books. I can’t. How can I place in
last place on my list a book I adored? My top three—or, to be more accurate, a
three-way tie for my top romance of the year—will be posted on another site
later. Here I make no distinctions. I just share my top ten romance novels of
2011, books I read and loved and that I expect to love more with each
rereading. There were other books I read this year that were five-star reads
for me and even more that were four-star reads. Many of them were added to me keeper
shelves, and all of them gave me hours of reading pleasure. But these, listed
in alphabetical order by author, are ten books that I’d take with me if I were
spending 2012 on an island and could take only ten romance novels from 2011
with me to reread throughout the year.
The Black Hawk by Joanna BourneI think The Black Hawk is Bourne’s finest book yet. It is part historical thriller and part romance, and both parts are the work of a writer who practices her craft with unfaltering excellence. Justine DeCabrillac and Adrian Hawkhurst have already captured readers’ interest; in this book they capture readers’ hearts as well in an unforgettable love story that I expect to see join thr ranks of classic romance novels.
The Other Guy’s Bride by Connie Brockway
Some books are just fun. This sequel to the beloved As You
Desire is one of those books. The Other Guy's Bride has wit and heart and Brockway’s prose, any
one of which would make me glad I read it. Together they propel it on this list.
The link is to Gannon’s review at The Romance Dish.
Silk Is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
The first book in a new series by a writer who consistently
proves she is one of the best writers of any year, Silk Is for Seduction offers a strong-willed,
self-made heroine, a duke who counts his world well lost for love, and lines that
are among my favorites of the year: “Life isn’t perfect. But I’d much rather
live it imperfectly with you.”
A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran
This one has it all--engaging
characters, compelling plot, and wonderful prose. Another keeper from Duran who
gets better with every book, A Lady's Lesson in Scandal gives the most credible and unforgettable
look at a heroine reared in poverty moving into a world of the privilege that I’ve
seen in all my years of reading romance fiction. The link is to Gannon’s review at The Romance Dish.
The Duke Is Mine by Eloisa James
When Beauty Tamed the Beast would
have been on my list had I not read This Duke Is Mine in 2011. I love all three of James’s
fairy tale books, but this one has a warrior poet (not the hero) who touched my
heart and made this book more than just another book I love.
What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long
I knew when I read this book in January that it would be on
this list. I’ve reread What I Did for a Duke twice since then, and I fell more deeply in love with
the characters and the story each time. Long takes conventional roles, the
proper maiden and the dangerous rake, and shows two characters who see beneath
the image to the complexities that make up the real person. And the author’s
prose is as seductive as her hero.
Angel’s Rest by Emily March
I’m a fan of
small-town settings, and Eternity Springs has become one of my favorites. But
it’s the hero of Angel’s Rest who earns this book a spot on my top ten list. Gabriel
Callahan is a man who lost two lives, but he gets a shot at a third after love
and Eternity Springs work their healing miracle
The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton by Miranda Neville
From the minute I saw the title, I loved The AmorousEducation of Celia Seaton. The reasons are many. It’s a book that is smart,
witty, tender, and memorable. It also has a hero who admits he would not have
fallen in love with the heroine at first sight but might have after he came to
know her. How rare is that honesty in romance?
Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney
I confess that I gave an extra cheer when Nowhere Near Respectable showed up on the LJ list since I felt a lot of reviews undervalued
it. I loved its multi-ethnicity and its hero, whom I labeled a beta who gives
lie to the idea that beta heroes are not strong and hot and the author called a
“warrior poet.” Whatever the label, he's a keeper--and so is the book. The link is to Cheryl Sneed's commentary at Heroes and Heartbreakers.
The Beach Trees by Karen White
A little bit women’s fiction, a little bit romantic suspense,
and wholly extraordinary, White’s “grit lit” look at a generations-spanning
mystery set in a region that demonstrates its tenacity and resilience
throughout The Beach Trees is a book to be cherished, remembered, and reread.
What are your choices for the top romance novels of 2011?
Note: All links are to my reviews at this site or to guest reviews at The Romance Dish unless otherwise specified.
3 comments:
Thanks for this list Janga. It's inspired. *smile*
A top 10 is manageable for me I think but then you mention a top three. My mind is boggling. Which three of these ten can it be? Oh you temptress!
The Brockway is in the Xmas sale at audible and looks very tempting. Does it work as a stand alone or should I read 'As you desire' first?
I have read the Putney novel and would concur with your assessment. I particularly liked the gunpowder plot, especially as I read it close to Guy Fawkes night! LOL
I think that I would like to include Catherine Anderson's 'Comanche Magic' to the list. It's one of the most moving novels that I have read recently.
Q, you can read the Brockway as a standalone. I highly recommend As You Desire, one of my favorite romances ever, but you can follow TOGB without the context of AYD.
Anderson is one of your faves, isn't she? I thought about you when I added her 2012 book to my book calendar. :)
Hi Janga, although I've only read two out of ten on your list the other eight are on my TBR pile. I, too have a lot of catching up to do.
I wish you a Happy Whatever Holiday you celebrate. And a very good year to come.
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