The following five books were my best reads of the past year, only Days of Destruction Days of Revolt being released in 2012.
Read these or your brain will fall out.

Michael Christie – The Beggar’s Garden

Franz Kafka – Metamorphosis

George Orwell – A Clergyman’s Daughter

Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco – Days of Destruction Days of Revolt

Kurt Vonnegut – God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

Honourable Mentions:
Franz Kafka – The Trial
John Steinbeck – Grapes of Wrath