Today’s contest is the perfect fit for the last week of the year. We’re giving away our three most recent Top Picks in Fiction—novels we thought deserved special attention from readers.
They include our November pick, White Truffles in Winter by N.M. Kelby; our December pick, The Queen of America by Luis Alberto Urrea; and (drum roll please) our January pick, The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney.
TO ENTER: Tell us about your fiction top pick for 2011 in the comments.
CONTEST DETAILS: We’ll pick a winner using random.org from among the entries we receive by 5 pm CST on December 31. Winner will receive the three novels mentioned above. Prize must be shipped to a North American address. Good luck!
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ETA: Congratulations to our winner, Ellen! Her fiction top pick for 2011 was The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes.
Thank you to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
My top fiction pick is The Night Circus by Morgenstern — it still haunts me and it’s been over a month since I read it (and then I listened to the audio version of it)!
My top fiction pick is Suzanne Collins’ Mockingjay which is kinda cheating since it was release last year, but I haven’t gotten around to finishing it until this year despite having bought it for a year. I still lay in bed thinking about it, how to fragments of the story fit together…
Mine is Before I Go to Sleep. S.J. Watson.
My top fiction pick is The Time in Between by Maria Duenas.
I liked Tayari Jones’ Silver Sparrow.
I loved The Informationist by Taylor Stevens. If you liked Stieg Larsson’s books, you’ll like this too.
Vaclav & Lena by Haley Tanner
Definitely my favorite 2011 fiction read is THE NIGHT CIRCUS by MORGENSTERN. It brought me back to my childhood days when I enjoyed reading fairytales. I now look forward to listening to this book on audio.
My top fiction pick is Maria Headley’s Queen of Kings – clever vampire novel combined with historical fiction, a bit in the vein of Anne Rice. Though I still haven’t read The Marriage Plot. I have a feeling that that might supplant it if I do.
I had an amazing book reading year but if I had to pick just one fiction ,I would go with “Doc” by Mary Doria Russell. If you think the Doc Holliday story has been done to death, do not fear, Russell has reinvented this story in wonderful ways.
My favorite book this year was The Sojourn by Andrew Krivak. A World War I novel and totally amazing.
My top pick of the year was “The Oracle of Stamboul” by Michael David Lukas. I still have a lot of 2011 books to read, though.
It’s a tough pick, but I believe I’ll choose Stephen King’s 11/22/63. I don’t like all his books, but some are extraordinary. I’m glad he’s still putting them out for us!
Double Dexter
I didn’t read many 2011 releases.
Back of Beyond,by CJ Box..this was one I read &read till I finished,enjoyed a ME day
Steven King…11/22/63..someone recommended this but didn’t think I’d like..but did very much..HAPPY NEW YEAR
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
I really enjoyed “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline
Lori Roy’s Bent Road and Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches are twq that come to mind. I read so many books during the year that I can not remember which ones were published during 2011. I believe that I heard about both of these from The Book Case.
One of my favorites was A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny.
It’s gotta be State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.
My Life Deleted by Scott Bolzan is one of my top picks of 2011. It is Scott’s true story of hitting his head and forgetting all 46 years of his life due to retrograde amesia.
I want to add One Summer by David Baldacci to the list of wonderful books already mentioned. I really enjoyed reading all of the comments and have added a number of books to my TBR list.
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown.
Nightwoods
My favorite fiction book of 2011 was 11/22/63 by Stephen King.
DOUBLE DEXTER by Jeff Lindsay. I love Dexter! It’s fun to read the books and see how they differ from the Showtime series. I’m looking forward to more books by Mr. Lindsay (who I met not too long ago). And I can’t wait for Dexter’s next season on Showtime!!
So far I’d say State of Wonder by Patchett but I am working my way through 1Q84 and loving it and have The Night Circus on my bedside table.
The Marriage Plot
A Dance With Dragons by George R R Martin. Worth the wait!
I loved The Night Circus and 11/22/63, but I’m still counting Among Others as my favorite from 2011.
I loved The Descendants. Looking forward to seeing the movie now.
I loved The Descendants. Looking forward to seeing the movie now. Oh … just realized the hardcover wasn’t published this year. State of Wonder, then!
My pick for favorite fiction book of 2011 is THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS by Vanessa Duiffenbaugh. Reminiscent of WHITE OLEANDER, the book took a sharp turn I didn’t expect, and wistfully could relate to. I kept telling myself some of the circumstances were highly improbable, but all too often truth is stranger than fiction. I’ve recommended to one and all, and have purchased a flower dictionary!
If the book doesn’t have to be published during 2011, my pick would be City of Thieves by David Benioff. Benioff created an unlikely duo to achieve a seemingly insurmountable and absurd task and we, as readers, are allowed to follow them on their quest.
If it needs to be published in 2011, it would be Untouchable by Scott O’Connor. He brings the reader a character, like Owen Meany, who will be very difficult to forget. Untouchable is heartbreakingly sad and painfully beautiful.
I liked Violets of March by Sarah Jio
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. It has stayed with me for weeks.
State of Wonder by Patchett
My favorite book this year was Violets of March by Sara Jio. Great story within a story.
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penney
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was the most imaginative and magical book I’ve read in a very long time. I was mesmerized by the images and characters. I could practically smell the circus it was so fully realized.
Hands down, I would have to say that “The Help” is my 2011 favorite.
Girl in Translation.Beautiful book about the present day immigrants experience.Jean Kwok is the author,
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny was my favorite and most anticipated read in 2011
The Help
Have to go with “The Help”. Also, anything by Stuart Wood is always a winner with me.
Stephen King’s 11/22/63 and the Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
My goodness. I have a few favorites from this past year. I will go with The Art of Fielding. I love a book that can plop you right in the story. I could feel every scene in this book. Loved it. Night Circus and The Family Fang are my other favorites. Loved the Language of Flowers as well. See? Hard for me to pick. Read a lot of wonderful books this year. More than usual.
Wolves of fairmount park…Dennis tafoya
I’d say TC Boyle’s When the Killing’s Done is my top pick for 2011.
My top pick for 2011 is The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen. I absolutely adored it.
My top pick for 2011 is the Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. So original!
Really enjoyed “Beneath the Lions Gaze” by Maaza Mengiste.
My top fiction pick for 2011 is “The Time in Between” a fascinating look at Spain and North Africa from the 30′s through WW2 through the eyes of an incredible woman.
Hard to pick! I am still working on The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman which is stunning. Also liked The Magician King by Lev Grossman. Really want to read “The Night Circus” too!
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
The Submission by Amy Waldman
IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS, Erik Larson
THE BUDDHA IN THE ATTIC, Julie Otsuka
The Family Fang
“Alice in Zombieland” I couldn’t resist it:)
The Paris Wife
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain-nice insight on the era and it was a quick read -very remarkable book
The Astral by Kate Christensen was my personal favorite. The Night Circus was wonderful and imaginative, I loved Winter’s in Bloom by Lisa Tucker. It was hard to pick which one was the best.
My top pick would be “A Discovery of Witches”. I love that book!
My top pick for 2011 is a Young Adult fiction “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins because I just couldn’t put that book down and had to devour the next 2 books to complete the Trilogy!
I loved “The Oracle of Stamboul” as well – I thought I hear dit was a trilogy in the making so I cannot wait for the rest of the series!
Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh was a hauntingly beautiful novel.
Read a lot of good books but I agree, the Language of Flowers was a beautiful book!
So hard to choose, because I have three that I just LOVED. They are The Submission by Amy Waldman, Faith by Jennifer Haigh and State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. I feel it was a banner book year for great authors, both newly published and returning!
Just finished Ready Player One so of course it’s my current favorite, but a bunch of books this year were really fantastic: A Discovery of Witches, Shine, Thirteen Reasons Why, Robocalypse to name a few.
The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. This was a great book.
My top pick for 2011 is Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton
I didn’t read a ton of new releases in 2011, but of those that I did read, I enjoyed The Art of Fielding the most.
A Sense of An Ending by Julian Barnes
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka….it was so sad and moving.
My favorite for 2011 would have to be “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness. Couldn’t put it down!
My pick is Ann Patchett’s “State of Wonder”
A few favorites were Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and 11/22/63 by Stephen King.
So many books I’ve loved this year but my favorite has to be Blue Nights by Joan Didion. She is an amazing writer — I’ve loved everything she has ever written.
Whoops. Just realized you were asking for favorite “Fiction” pick and Joan Didion’s book is not fiction. Favorite fiction of 2011 would have to be State of Wonder by Ann Patchett — another of my all time favorite writers!
Jodi Picoult’s Sing You Home
Night Circus by E. Morganstern
The State of Wonder by Anna Patchett
You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was my 2011 favorite. So magical!
Right up at the top is Paris Wife.
My favorite book this year (and I’ve read quite a few!) would have to be The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Beautifully written and a compelling story that stayed with me long after I finished the book. Happy New Year to everyone at Book Page!
Favorite young adult books were Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt, Bluefish by Pat Schmatz and Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. I received 11/22/63, The Night Strangers and The Marriage Plot as gifts so I’m hoping one of those wins me over!
My top pick for 2011 is When she woke, by Hillary Jordan
My fave was the Marriage Plot.
misteedawnw at aol dot com
I like Crossroads, Embraced series and Dean Koontz’s new book this year. all good reads.
My favorite for 2011 is The Art of Fielding.
There were many great books this year, weren’t there? My very favorite was The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon.
My pick for 2011 is THE BIRD SISTERS. A tr;ue country setting and it brought back memories. Wonderful!
Still loving “The Help” & “The Passage”. Just finished “The Language of Flowers” & really loved it, too.
An unexpected favorite turned out to be “Light From a Distant Star” by Mary McGarry Morris. She is one of my favorite authors, and never disappoints.
My pick is Language of flowers, best book of the year.
In the garden of beasts
Truly chilling,especially knowing it really happened!
Stephen King’s, 11/22/63.
A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness – Couldn’t put it down.
I loved Sister by Rosamund Lupton!
The Submission by Amy Waldman was my favorite of the year. So well written and thought provoking.
Fallen by Karin Slaughter
White Truffles in Winter … a delicious read!!
The best of me by Nicholas Sparks
Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
Butterfly’s Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe
Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
The Ballad of Tom Dooley by Sharyn McCrumb
Happy New Year
toss-up between A Discovery of Witches and 11/22/63
I enjoyed the Help, probably one of best of 2011
My top pick would probably have to be “Friendship Bread” by Darien Gee. The story really moved me to think about the effect my actions can have on the people around me, and how very important a simple smile can be. This is a book I bought copies of for many friends, just to share the love.
I loved The Help. It was one of those books that I couldn’t put down.
I also received One Hundred And One Nights by Benjamin Buchholz today in the mail from a Twitter Chat win, and I am loving it. It’s definitely up there with The Help. So I hope to see more from Benjamin Buchholz come next year. If you haven’t read it, check it out.
My top fiction pick for 2011 is “To Be Sung Underwater” by Tom O’Neill…. fantastic! Best book I read all year!
The Paris Wife which left a larger impact on than I had imagined it would. However, I’m currently reading Anne Patchett’s State of Wonder which might end up in first place for the year!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Night Strangers, by Chris Bohjalian is my pick for fiction.
My top fiction pick is State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. A novel with an interesting plot and great writing.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Always hard to pick just one but I’ll go with my favorite fiction being A Trick of Light by Louise Penny.
The Windup Girl knocked my socks off & was my favorite read of 2011. Thanks for asking!
This year I really enjoyed The Help, Water For Elephants, Swanplandia!, and the Marriage Plot. I can’t pick just one!
IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS, Erik Larson
THE HELP, Kathryn Stockett (This story was an exact mirror to my life and the maid I grew up with. I couldn’t believe how close it paralleled our life together!)
THE NEXT ALWAYS, Nora Roberts
Without a doubt – Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus!
Stephen King’s 11/22/63, one of his best recently
I thoroughly enjoyed “Glass Boys” by Nicole Lundrigan and “The Dovekeepers” by Alice Hoffman in 2011.
My favorite this year was Karen Russell’s Swamplandia. An amazing story.
I really enjoyed Stephen King’s 11/22/63. It was a captivating novel and it really pulled me into the story.
My favorite book was room. It gave me a great understanding of people Being held captive
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan was my favorite fiction read of the year!
I couldn’t wait to get the newest Alex Cross novel, Kill Alex Cross, by James Patterson. It starts out with a bang and true to Patterson’s character development, ends satisfyingly. Thanks
The Art of Fielding
When she woke by hillary jordan was an unexpected favorite of mine. I don’t usually like futuristic type books but this one was a winner.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
My best read of the year is Fall of Giants by Ken Follett – great historical fiction!
by Benjamin Hale is my pick. What if an ape evolved, and what if he passed as human?
(The HTML didn’t work in my previous post. My fault, I’m sure.) The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore is my pick. What if an ape evolved within its lifetime, and what if he passed as human?
Room
Amazing book. How a mom created a whole world for her son in one tiny room. This book is very thought provoking.
Hands down, State of Wonder by Anna Patchett.