Armchair BEA: Best of 2011

Today's Armchair BEA posts are all about books: there are giveaway galore, as well as bloggers (like me) posting our "Best of 2011" lists. Between the two varieties of posts going up, your To Read list is probably going to grow exponentially. I would apologize for any contribution to that growing list I make, but - well, frankly, I'm not sorry if I can convince someone to give a book I loved a read. Stumbling upon new favorites is one of the best parts of reading, and if I can share that experience with someone else? I consider it a job well-done.

And now, without further ado, a sampler of reading delights I title "Best of 2011-SO FAR" (complete with links to my reviews):

Across the Universe: Beth Revis
Oh man, I loved this one. Absolutely loved it. Cannot wait for book two to come out! Gave it to my little cousin for her birthday, and she stayed up all night reading it. It's that great of a read. Plus, the cover is - how do you say? - gorgeous.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
I loved this one too, because it sounded like something my friend Joshua and I would create. Dash and Lily are engaging and entertaining, and the whole concept of the book is just awesome. I laughed out loud reading this one.

Rose Daughter: Robin McKinley
So it's not exactly a new release, but it is a beautiful retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast'.

Prisoners in the Palace: Michaela MacColl
Fun historical fiction about the maid who saved Princess Victoria and helped her become Queen. (Plus, it's another fun cover - definitely worth seeing in person).

The Jane Austen Handbook: Margaret C. Sullivan
I'm a Janeite, and this is a nifty little reference book with the answers burning in everyone's mind ... You know, like how much is Mr Darcy really worth?

The Bride's Farewell: Meg Rosoff
This one surprised me, and I'm so very glad the cover caught my eye and I indulged my shallower side.

The Healer's Apprentice: Melanie Dickerson
'Sleeping Beauty' with a twist that will keep you guessing - and reading. Looking forward to Dickerson's next novel which will revisit 'Beauty and the Beast'.

Mermaid: Carolyn Turgeon
'The Little Mermaid' revisited -- a quick, engrossing read with an ending I never saw coming. Review's not posted yet, but will be soon!

What Happened to Goodbye: Sarah Dessen
I'm currently reading this one, and falling in love all over again with Dessen ... It's never really "Summer" for me until I read Sarah Dessen, and I think I'm going to be rereading almost everything this summer. Review for this one to come when it's finished.

There you have it. A sampler of my 2011 reading. Hopefully I've whetted your reading appetite and you'll discover something you've not read before. Or, if we have the same favorites, I'd love knowing that too!