Category Archives: best of 2011

25 best book titles of 2011

Everyone has their own opinion on what makes a book cover great, and the same goes for titles. A little clever wordplay, a subtle nod or allusion, something weird—words that suggest that what lies inside is rich and memorable. We’ve … Continue reading

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25 best book jackets of 2011

Perhaps you can’t judge a book by its cover, but don’t you just love a great book jacket? One that seems to pop off the shelf? It can make all the difference when browsing through a bookstore, for a book … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011, #41: ‘The Realm of Hungry Spirits’ by Lorraine López

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. Lorraine López’s The Realm of Hungry Spirits mixes beliefs from multiple religions and cultures to tell the story of Marina, … Continue reading

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Best Children’s Books of 2011

At last, our editors have made their choices for the best children’s books of the year, from picture books to middle grade to young adult titles. It wasn’t easy to decide, but after we roared our terrible roars, and gnashed … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011, #20: ‘When She Woke’ by Hillary Jordan

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. I love a good suspense story—especially if it includes national scandal, an illicit romance, government intrusion and an alternate … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011, #15: ‘Bossypants’ by Tina Fey

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. How much do I love Tina Fey? Enough that I’d listen to an audiobook of Bossypants the week it … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011, #13: ‘Caleb’s Crossing’ by Geraldine Brooks

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. Geraldine Brooks has a genius for finding history’s most fascinating stories. In Caleb’s Crossing, she turns to the early … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011: #8, ‘Townie’ by Andre Dubus III

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. I don’t read a lot of nonfiction (for no other reason than I devour novels like candy, and there … Continue reading

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Readers’ Choice: Top 30 Books of 2011!

On November 14, we asked you to vote for your favorite book published in 2011. After more than 2,500 votes and a long afternoon of tallying, we can finally

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Best Books of 2011, #4: ‘Catherine the Great’ by Robert K. Massie

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. When it comes to reading about the lives of the Romanovs, Robert K. Massie is the ne plus ultra of … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011: #3, ‘The Art of Fielding’ by Chad Harbach

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. I’ve interviewed Chad Harbach for BookPage, written a What We’re Reading Wednesday post about The Art of Fielding, recommended … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011, #1: ‘State of Wonder’

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder whisks readers off to the Amazon, where her main characters are pummeled with bugs as … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011: #1-10

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the big reveal of the Top 10 from our Best Books of 2011 list. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides The Art of Fielding by Chad … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011, #34: ‘The Night Strangers’ by Chris Bohjalian

As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list. Inspired by a creepy door in his own basement and story of Sully Sullenberger, best-selling author Chris Bohjalian took … Continue reading

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Best Books of 2011: #11-#20

We’re creeping ever-closer to the top of our best books of 2011 list. Watch for our Top 10 in just two days!  In the meantime, tell us what your favorite book of 2011 was. If you do, you could win … Continue reading

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