2011 was the best year for reading that I have had in my entire life. I completed 46 books, and was challenged and engaged more than I have ever been. This post includes the 4 books I 'most enjoyed' this year.  I am aware of the subjectivity this post presents, but alas, such is life. While many may think these books are the 'worst ever' I admit this post is extremely unorthodox. These are my own views, and should not be taken to meant that these books are neither bad, nor unbeneficial; just that I, personally, really enjoyed them. To see a complete list of all the books I read this year, click -->HERE<-- 

A Small Corner of Hell: Dispatches From Chechnya
Anna Politkovskaya/07

A heartbreakingly powerful account of civilians caught in the war between Russia and Chechnya. Politkovskaya's fearless reporting recounts tales that make even the most hardened heart cringe in sympathy. I have been (or at the least, near) the areas Politkovskaya writes about in this book and have met the people she met and wrote about; they have been some of the most inspiring I have ever known. Unless you have a vested interest in Russian politics or history, or are a fan of Anna's work, this will probably not be a book you will pick up, but for those who do, it would take much resistance to not come away changed.
This book seems all the more powerful given the fact that Politkovskaya was murdered in 2006. Some say the government had had enough of her. She definitely did not endear herself to the Kremlin.

Early Christianity
Roland Bainton/84

It's under 200 pages, and limits itself to the first 500 years or so of the Church, but this book is one of the most interesting I have yet read. I literally couldn't put it down. I enjoy Bainton's writing, and was definitely not disappointed with this. I found it in a Salvation Army bookstore and got it for $0.25 or something; what a steal. I can't wait for it to come out as Kindle format so I can take it everywhere, forever!!

The Orthodox Heretic: And Other Impossible Tales
Peter Rollins/09

I am generally not a fan of Rollins. He seems to be one of those with a message characterized by 'shock', and "OMG, did he just say that?!", to such an extent that it seems he does it just for effect. The man is brilliant though and even though I went into this book heavily biased against him I loved almost every page of it. Not that I agree with Rollins theologically, but in regards to orthopraxy (right living) the stories contained in this book were among the most convicting I have ever been faced with. Putting aside the "all deed, no creed" mentality that is often suggested by many in the Emergent camp, this book is a treasure that must be mined continually until we throw our religious mindsets off, and follow Jesus as practically as He intended.

Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived 
Rob Bell/11

This attempt by Bell is a great reason why everyone aspiring to publish a book should have multiple people help with editing! Bell's excursion into heterodoxy wouldn't have been so alarming had he admitted it was just that, instead of claiming orthodoxy. Attempting to put the doctrine of 'hell' out for discussion, I see few people who are discussing the subject not much more than 9 months after the book was released. All it did was generate a bit of short-term controversy and make Bell a bunch of $$$. IMO this book was embarrassing, and should only be read by those people (like myself) who cannot resist slowing down at the scene of an accident to see what kind of damage has happened. I hope Bell rebounds from this kind of notoriety, because his spoken words are actually very good and worthy of serious consideration.

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality 
Don Miller/03

I used to really enjoy reading Don Miller's blog, but that was before I read Blue Like Jazz, now I can't take him seriously. I thought this book was like eating marshmallows, or Rice Crispies, or anything else that had no substance. I kept wondering why this book is one of the most popular Christian titles in recent years? Why did I pay $$ for it? Who do I contact for a refund?
To say that this is a popular book would be an understatement :s
I finished this book back in August and I am still sitting, trying to figure out if was all a clever marketing ploy designed to make some cash for him. Besides a few impressive philosophical one liners, I was shocked at the immaturity of someone considered a leader in the Emergent movement. Miller is smart, of that I've not much doubt, therefore, it seemed like he was cleverly (not in a good way) writing with a clear demographic in mind. Lets just say I thought Love Wins had some solid theology compared to this one :s

Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics 
Thomas Aquinas

Maybe a classic, but too repetitious for my liking. There are aspects of Aristotle I enjoy, and there are aspects of Aquinas I enjoy, but this is not one of them. I was forced to read this as part of a university course called Thomas Aquinas and the Thomastic Tradition. I struggled chapter after chapter to stay awake long enough to actually complete my readings. I am thankful we were not tested formally on this work, as instead, we had to write a major paper on any aspect of Aquinas' theology.