Lots of reading, less reviewing...

I've been guilty recently of a lot of reading, but less reviewing or commenting.  I feel kind of bad about that.  The less reviewing part, not the reading.  Especially because I've read some works that I think really deserve some shout outs or good reviews this year.  Since I've been too lazy and undisciplined to post the reviews a lot of these books deserve, I'm making a resolution to post on a more frequent regular basis.  In the meantime, a couple of major books I've read in 2011 that deserve high marks, along with a brief comment or two...

"Red Summer: The Summer of 1919 and the Awakening of Black America," by Cameron McWhirter.  The best history book I've read this year.  Powerful and well written narrative about the events of the horrific summer of 1919, when several major race riots and lynchings occurred.  McWhirter shows why the mobilization by many American black citizens during this period lead eventually to increased political savy and a renewed determination to fight for the promise of the "American Dream."
I'm looking forward to more from McWhirter. 

"Snuff" (Discworld #39) by Terry Pratchett.  There are a few authors whose works I've read in my life, that always reward me when I go back and read them.  Among these are P. G. Wodehouse, Raymond Chandler, Barbara Tuchman, and Jack Vance.   Pratchett ranks right up there with these other literary giants.  I'm currently enjoying the adventures of his character Sam Vimes (Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch) as the ever vigilant copper Vimes attempts to take a vacation, despite his major desire to do no such thing...