My 2011 List

This is not a resolutions post.  There are of course things I hope to improve or change, but that is not for this post. 

I have an incredibly long list of books I want to read on my IPhone, a stack of free paperbacks picked up from a local warehouse under my coffee table, two unread titles on my reader and lots of recommendations from other bloggers' 2011 reviews. 

Since I have so many titles I would love to dive into, but it won't be possible to to read them all (this year) unless I quit my job to do so (an option I don't think would be warmly received by my husband) I figured I should to narrow down THE LIST.  Here a few I want to check off my list in the first few months of 2012. 
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The Necklace.  This is a true story about  thirteen women who go in together to buy an expensive necklace and share its beauty.  Each chapter is told by a different woman, sharing their experience while wearing the necklace.  I call it the grown up version of  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  It is short, should be a quick read. 

 

  Venus Fixers An art/historical fiction mix.  During WW II the Allied forces appoint Monument Officers (a hodge podge group of people with varying background in art and history) to make sure that European masterpieces are not damaged or stolen.  The story chronicles the group's struggles to protect the art.  I picked this up when I was visiting my grandparents in Florida.  Their local library sells books for a $1, this one looked too god not grab.   

Winter Garden-I have been told to read this by several people.  A story about two sisters who return home to help care for their dying father.  The sisters have lived very different lives and their mother is distant.  Before the father passes he asks his wife to share a story with the sisters.  A story that bridges the past and present, and supposedly changes who the women considered themselves to be.  The reviews on the back include words like, "gripping", "powerful story" and "breathtaking" so I am very excited about this one. 

Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman -Years after giving her all to her job, kids and husband Rose Lloyd is suddenly starting over.   This book chronicles Rose's journey with her new found freedom.

 The Good Wife Strikes Back-this one is by the same author as the book above, Elizabeth Buchan.  In this story Fanny Savage considers leaving her current life to pursue the one she gave up years ago (a partner in her father's wine business in Italy).  Both of these look like fluff reads, but still should be entertaining. 

 A Year in Provence-This is a true story of what the author, Peter Mayle experienced when he and his wife moved into a 200 year old farmhouse in a little country called Luberon.  I can't wait to read this one, I think it's going to be quite the story.

Do you have some "to reads" for 2012?  Anything I should add to my ever growing list?