Best 2011 Books for Book Groups

Before I completely embrace the new year, I wanted to look back at the books that stood out in 2011. Numerous 'best book' lists come out at the end of every year. To be honest, it can be a bit daunting trying to figure out what the stand outs were. Books are so subjective. Just take a look at the 'best of 2011' online master list aggregated over at the literary/music blog Largehearted Boy. So, instead, I honed in on 'the best book club lists’ since those are the types of books I like to read and there are less of them to pour over and become overwhelmed by.

So far, only Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder (a personal favorite), Julie Otsuka’s The Buddha in the Attic and Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 appear on two of the five lists I've provided links to below. However, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the suggested titles. I will keep adding when and if other lists pop up. Let me know if you run across a good list yourself.  Hope your New Year is off to an excellent start. 

The Washington Post’s Best Books of 2011 would all make excellent book club choices.

NPR’s Conversation Starters: 2011′s Top Five Book Club Picks

Book Group Buzz recommends The Kansas City Star’s top ten list because they combine fiction, non fiction, YA and children’s for “a Best of the Best list.  All of the nonfiction selections would be great titles for books groups.”

The Women’s National Book Association lists 20 titles on this year’s 2011 Great Group Reads.

Library Journal came out with their first ever top ten list last year stating,  ”Librarians—and booksellers—should feel confident in recommending them to their readers, suggesting them to book groups, and promoting them through a variety of venues.”  Here is the 2011 list.