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The 3rd Annual Goodreads Choice Awards--Polls Are Now Open for Voting!
Vote Now in the Opening Round! »
We want to know which books you loved from 2011. Choose the year's best books in our 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book awards decided entirely by readers. Select your favorites in 22 categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Mystery & Thriller, Memoir & Autobiography, Young Adult Fantasy, and many more! Will Tina Fey's Bossypants win Favorite Book of 2011? Who has more steam—Jodi Picoult or Haruki Murakami? Will the Steve Jobs biography be a late-breaking contender? Grab a seat ringside, because it's going to be a battle until the polls close November 30!
We analyzed statistics from the 87 million books added, rated, and reviewed on the site in 2011 to list 15 books in 22 categories—that's 330 nominations. We did not consult a panel of experts or form a secret committee of publishing insiders. Readers know what's good and what's great. These nominations are based on a book's number of ratings and average rating as pegged by the more than 6 million readers on Goodreads. To emphasize reader's choice even more, the opening round also accepts write-in votes. So you can vote for any 2011 book published before November 30 (December books will be eligible next year).
You have three chances to vote. The opening round lasts until November 13. Vote now to make sure your favorite books make it into the semifinals.
On November 14, the top 5 write-in votes in each category become official nominees, bringing the total to 20 nominees in each category and you have a second opportunity to cast your vote.
The final elimination round launches November 21. We will narrow the field to the top 10 books in each category, and you will have one last chance to vote. Final voting closes November 30, and winners will be announced in December.
Now's your chance! Vote for the best books of 2011! »
Comments Showing 1-50 of 105 (105 new)
I am not able to cast a write-in vote for a book I'd like to see nominated, even though the average rating is 4.4 stars. When I type the name of the novel in the write-in field, the "Vote" link is greyed out and doesn't work. It searches for the book and then says "Not found," even though it's listed in Goodreads and has numerous reviews.
Actually, there should be a religion category in general, not just Christian. Plenty of non-Christians on Goodreads, I'd wager.
Serendipitous, when you begin typing a book name, it will automatically start searching for the book in our catalog. Select the book from the drop-down list, and then you can click vote. If no drop-down appears, trying adjusting your search words (you can also enter the book's ISBN number). Books must be published in 2011 to be eligible.
I had the same problem and I'm sure Serendipitous and I are looking for the same book. It does not find the book though it was published this year.
I just voted for Rules Of Civility using the search without a problem, just to confirm it is working.
Jessica, I tried both - I typed in the name, and then the ISBN number. Another screen came up and told me that the book isn't found. But again, it's here on Goodreads, on many people's lists; and it has the appropriate average review.I do think MG2112 and I are searching for the same book. :)
The book's title is Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...
I was unable to vote for Please Look After Mom because it said it wasn't published in 2011. While technically true (it was published earlier in Korea), it was first published in English in 2011. And 1Q84 is a nominee (as it should be), despite being published earlier in Japan and first coming out in English in 2011.
Write-in votes can have any average rating, but they do need to have a publication date in 2011. This book may be missing some data. If you email the book title/link to book to support at goodreads dot com, we'll take a look!
MG2112 and Serendipitous, if it's the book I think it may be, it was missing the ISBN-13. I added it, and searching by that in the awards search box now brings up the book. So you might try one more time before emailing.(Of course, I could have guessed wrong about which of the books in common you both were talking about.)
I just tried doing a write in vote for Gabriel's Inferno and it was not found. Do I need to reboot my phone?
The search box doesn't like apostrophes (we're working on it). Search for "Gabriel Inferno" and you should see the book come up. Sorry for the inconvenience!
It would be helpful to have known that up front....
Thanks, Jessica. I got it to work by searching for "Gabriel Inferno." But that isn't the correct title of the book, and I'm concerned that the novel may be unfairly deprived of votes because people will try to search for it using the *correct* title. Do you think this problem will be fixed soon?
I have to agree with Serendipitous. I'm afraid there are those that may search, but will not find and not be persistent in asking like we are. ;o)
As someone who will never be able to qualify for entering a poll like this I just want to put this out there. First, I fail to see how a "best of (given current year)" poll could possibly be anything more than a popularity contest; how it could ever be honest or credibly tallied. For one thing, people who are fans of particular prolific living authors, eg., Haruki Murakami or Paulo Coelho, are going to always vote for their books. Secondly, how can anyone even read a statistically reliable or credibly in-depth sampling of the bulk is what is published in any given year to really be able to honestly say that their modest stack of readings represents the *best of* anything? Thirdly, who--among truly dedicated, diversity striving, culturally enlightened readers--is spending an inordinate amount of time reading brand new 2011 books when there's the massive weight of the works of the last millenia or so to be absorbed as part of one's well-balanced menu of reading? I just don't get it. I say the poll is bunk.
This isn't the Pulitzer prize. I take this in good fun and bringing exposure to my favorites, as well as learning what else is out there to read and explore. That's all.
I like the three rounds of voting idea - more chances to catch books that fell through the cracks. I wrote last year to suggest a category for short story collections and anthologies. I'd still love to see that category brought in. So many authors shine in their short fiction.
If I may...I don't think this poll is intended to be scientifically valid. It's just meant to be fun.It is a popularity contest of sorts. So are book sales. The "best of" anything is almost always subjective.
There are plenty of other polls and questions posted by Goodreads members which take into account books published throughout history. Reading books that were published in 2011 doesn't mean we don't also enjoy any publications from any age, of any type.
I share Evan's doubts about the "contest", but I get this is just for "fun" and probably no one presumes that the future winners will be cited as examples of "high literature" for the next generations. Anyway, some categories seem way too market-oriented, even redundant: Best Fantasy AND Best Paranormal Fantasy? Are they so different that we need two categories? Plus the usual emphasis on the "Young Adults" phenomenon.I don't think I'm going to vote, since I've read very few books published in 2011 so far and those haven't struck as "the best" of something.
Have fun! :-)
Evan wrote: "As someone who will never be able to qualify for entering a poll like this I just want to put this out there. First, I fail to see how a "best of (given current year)" poll could possibly be anythi..."Lighten up, Evan - everyone's just having a little fun. Sheesh...
Serendipitous wrote: "If I may...I don't think this poll is intended to be scientifically valid. It's just meant to be fun."Agreed. Well-stated. :)
I don't have much to add to that other than I think it's totally fine to read books from all time considerations, but Goodreads does it's end of year poll every year, and I don't think it's meant to be a comprehensive or scientifically accurate poll.
Personally, my reading habits incorporate a diverse array of new and classic literature, and I'd consider myself as quote a "dedicated, diversity striving, culturally enlightened reader," though I take that designation with a grain of salt, because...thinking about it, how do you measure that? By whose standards? What encompasses that label? Just by reading classic literature? Personally I don't think so - I believe diversity includes contemporary as well as classic literature, macroscopic accounts along with microscopic, and considerations that go beyond a two-planed dimension. But for the sake of this poll, it seems it's just looking at some of the highlights of the year, just for fun. People are welcome to agree, disagree with the nominees and make their own lists and choices - there's no right or wrong to it.
So I would say, and no offense intended, people who love to read will read what they will. They will love what they love, and dislike what they dislike. Opinions come in many different forms, and while it's perfectly fine and healthy to share those preferences, it's not necessarily good to think that there's one standard to judge people who enjoy good stories. Or that there's one standard to judge good literature.
Barry wrote: "I just voted for Rules Of Civility using the search without a problem, just to confirm it is working."So glad to see someone else that read that. I loved it and it is by far my favorite book of 2011. What a gem.
Moloch wrote: "Anyway, some categories seem way too market-oriented, even redundant: Best Fantasy AND Best Paranormal Fantasy? Are they so different that we need two categories?"Speaking as someone who doesn't tend to read paranormal fantasy but has seen the fantasy section taken over by those titles, I'm glad that they're considered two different categories.
Diane D. wrote: "Barry wrote: "I just voted for Rules Of Civility using the search without a problem, just to confirm it is working."So glad to see someone else that read that. I loved it and it is by far my fa..."
Yes, I've far from read all i've wanted to so that that has been published in 2011, but nothing has come close to being as good as Rules Of Civility, but I've only just started The Marriage Plot so that might come close!
"Speaking as someone who doesn't tend to read paranormal fantasy but has seen the fantasy section taken over by those titles, I'm glad that they're considered two different categories."
Agreed, Agreed one million times over.
Thank you SO much for giving us the chance to vote on our favorite authors. Even though I must say it was difficult to vote in some of the catagories because there are SO many GREAT authors! Thanks again!~Jenny
Can someone tell me why The Panic Virus isn't considered a 2011 publication? I feel silly asking, but I see a January 2011 publication date for the hardcover.
Looks like that had an erroneous originally published date of 2010, but having confirmed there were no editions published before January 2011, I corrected that.
I too would like to see a Christian fiction category. Religious fiction would be fine, as would religious nonfiction.
Apparently readers are unable to nominate my books "The Darling Strumpet" and "The September Queen." Attempting to write them in comes up with the message that only books published between December 2010 and November 2011 are eligible - and both of the books were published in that period - DS on 1/4/11 and September Queen today!
Gillian, The Darling Strumpet had an original pub date in 2010, and The September Queen had an original pub date in 2012. Both are now correct, so voting should work.
Sarah Pi wrote: "Moloch wrote: "Anyway, some categories seem way too market-oriented, even redundant: Best Fantasy AND Best Paranormal Fantasy? Are they so different that we need two categories?"Speaking as someo..."
OK, I must admit I don't like these genres at all, so I'm not really aware of the distinction.
I can't write in any books. I tried several times to write in Red by Kait Nolan for best YA fantasy and it wouldn't let me. This is a shame as it is hands down the best paranormal YA I've read all year!!
I would like to know why and how Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever made it to the list for middle grade books? Considering the book has not even been released yet, the general public would not have read it yet.
Kate wrote: "I can't write in any books. I tried several times to write in Red by Kait Nolan for best YA fantasy and it wouldn't let me."Try searching by title + author without the word "by", which confuses the search. It came up for me just now when I tried that.
Petra X, can you elaborate? Does the search box work for any book? Or does the error come when you click vote?
Diane D. wrote: "Barry wrote: "I just voted for Rules Of Civility using the search without a problem, just to confirm it is working."So glad to see someone else that read that. I loved it and it is by far my fa..."
Absolutely! Loved that book too.
Marja wrote: "Thanks for analyzing statistics from 87 million added books... but I a bit disappointed that there is not ONE category for Christian books. Is it possible to add one for next year?Thanks,
Marja M..."
Yeah that is a big part of books!
Wow, this sounds great.I'm in love with Goodreads even more.
Thanks.
While it is fun to see what the Goodreads Readers Choices might be, it doesn't say much for the quality of Goodreads readers when I see a book nominated that is authored by someone who has been guilty of plagiarism in the past. I have a hard time understanding why things like this are ignored by the general public. I'm talking about Cassandra Claire.
Marja wrote: "Thanks for analyzing statistics from 87 million added books... but I a bit disappointed that there is not ONE category for Christian books. Is it possible to add one for next year?Thanks,
Marja M..."
Not just a Christian category. A religion category. Lots of religious people here (Who aren't all Christian :)
Vicki wrote: "I too would like to see a Christian fiction category. Religious fiction would be fine, as would religious nonfiction.""religious fiction" that gave me a good laugh... :)
Everyone vote for A Dance with Dragons for book of 2011 and fantasy. Also, what is up with them not including the Son of Neptune in young adult fantasy book of the year?
Marja wrote: "Thanks for analyzing statistics from 87 million added books... but I a bit disappointed that there is not ONE category for Christian books. Is it possible to add one for next year?Thanks,
Marja M..."
Completely agreed!
Sandra, no one nomination says anything about the GR population as a whole to most people. Only people that tend to think such a way. Did it occur to you that many people have never heard of this woman? I haven't, the four people I just asked haven't. Does she have anything else written? There are many variables here that you aren't seeming to take into account.
It really sounds like you have something personal going with this woman. At the very least you're very angry about what you think or know she's done. But again, that doesn't mean everyone does. Even if they did, as said above, people will like what they want, for their own reasons, and to suggest this means something about the many different readers on here doesn't say too much.
Sean, add it in. If you read the post above, or many of the comments, you'll see this isn't all - or even 'very' - much about "them" adding in books. YOU can nominate a book. Although I can't say I understand your desire to have people vote for a book because you've asked them to.
Thanks,
Marja Meijers