The 2011 Meg Awards!

Once again it's time for the Meg Awards, honoring my favorite books in the genre over the past year. These aren't necessarily books that I reviewed, but books I read. Some might have technically been released in late 2010, but I don't split hairs. 

Best Book by a New Author

The End of Marking Time by C.J. West. An excellent thriller that cuts across subgenres.

Honorable Mention: KiDNApped by Rick Chesler

Most Underrated Author

David Wood- You can always count on Wood for an entertaining story. In 2011, he gave us a top-notch thriller in Quest, a solid co-authored effort with Jeremy Robinson, plus another Dane Maddock adventure just before Christmas.

Honorable Mention: Scott Mariani

Action Hero of the Year

Ben Hope- Scott Mariani's thrillers are well known outside the US, and gaining momentum in the States. If you love Brad Meltzer or Dan Brown, give him a try.

Honorable Mention: Aloysius Pendergast (Preston and Child)

Most Reliable Author

Jeremy Robinson- How can you not appreciate an author who gave readers new novels in the Chess Team and Last Hunter series, seven co-authored Chess Team novellas, and a novel under his Jeremy Bishop pseudonym.

Honorable Mention: David L. Golemon

Book of the Year

Cold Vengeance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

This was a tough call. I loved the books on my Best Reads list, but all had weak points in my opinion. The best book I read this year was 11-22-63 by Stephen King, but that doesn't fit the content of this blog, so I'm going with my next choice. Cold Vengeance tops The Devil Colony mostly because the plot had more twists and I preferred Preston and Child's villain.

Best Reads of the Year
1. Cold Vengeance- Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
2. The Devil Colony- James Rollins
3. Quest- David Wood
4. The End of Marking Time- C.J. West
5. Threshold- Jeremy Robinson
6. Gideon's Sword- Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
7. Legacy- David L. Golemon
8. Full Black- Brad Thor
9. KiDNApped- Rick Chesler
10. The Catalyst Boyd Morrison