Best thing you read in 2011?

[Mikela]

Yes, I did like it although it wasn't my favourite Murakami book. This was one of our group reads so you can read the discussions and get the general reaction to it from a number of people. It was very well received by the group.

[William]

yes, I really loved it, and as Mikela said, we dicsussed it as a group read, so a very large number of people read it. We had 93 posts in total related to it..

the folder with the multiple discussion threads is:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

[Lily]

@50 Mikela wrote: "I limited the best books read in 2011 to those written in the 21st century and these are some that I came up with...."

Certainly agree about the readability and impact of Middlesex, Infidel, and Half a Yellow Sun, although I believe the last one is the only one in 2011 for me. (I either haven't read or didn't connect as strongly with your other three -- I'm still interested in considering Banville for TBR and must eventually determine what of Ian Ewan I am willing to re-tackle, whether I like them or not.)

I am trying yet to figure out what to post for my 2011 favorites. Since I didn't do a lot of good current literature in 2011, I'll reach back to some classics.

[Lily]

Lily wrote: "I am trying yet to figure out what to post for my 2011 favorites...."

Here are four, each of which I would gladly recommend to others with any interest whatsoever:

Handing One Another Along: Literature and Social Reflection (January, 2010) by Robert Coles. The thoughtful Harvard professor turns his attention to the uses of literature.

Instant City: Life and Death in Karachi (Oct. 2011) by Steve Inskeep (NPR) Takes one into Pakistan and the rapid growth of mega-cities, both there and elsewhere.

The Portrait of a Lady (1881) by Henry James. My favorite Henry James novel to date -- have only completely read three, one of which is likely to make my list of 2012 favorites.

The Collectibles (Nov. 2010) by James Kaufman -- not for its quality as literature, but for its values about win-win business and about humankind's responsibilities towards others.

Read or listened to several political biographies. Probably especially enjoyed those read by their protagonist. All contributed to attempt to be a responsible voter in the then upcoming election year, including those on foreign leaders.

Postscript, next day; I'll add one more:
The Annotated Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, annotated by David M. Shapard. This edition added immeasurably to my last reading of Ms. Austen's famous novel.