30 Days of Books-Day 1- Favorite Book You Read Last Year

2011... let's see, let's see.  So many wonderful books that I read.  I think my favorite was this one though:

I had been wanting to read this book for a while.  Since I was pretty young, I remember getting freaked out in the movie from the 1930's.  It's the eerie beginning, when there's a mystery that needs to be solved at a fort in Africa.  I really believe what I like the most about this book is the mystery, the strong family/brotherly ties, and the adventure that you're swept up in.  After reading this book, get the movie that has Gary Cooper in it.  A very good adaptation of one of my new favorite books. 

Runner Ups:

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson--a really good fantasy book that I enjoyed.  I also liked that it was a stand-alone novel.  Sanderson writes good, likeable characters.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede.  This is the first in the series of four books, and they are such cute, clever children's books.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading them last year.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was an engaging, thoughtful story. One of those deep-down, wholesome coming-of-age tales that involves a little bit of science fiction. And awkwardness. Because it wouldn't be a good children's/middle school novel without a tiny bit of social anxiety that the protagonist would face.