Booklist announces prestigious 2011 Top of the List selections

CHICAGO - Booklist magazine, the review journal of the American Library Association, has announced its Top of the List winners for 2011. The eight winning titles were chosen from the annual Editors’ Choice selections as the best books and media of 2011.

“From a dog who became a cinematic icon to a woman who loved chimpanzees to another woman whose only novel has enthralled readers for more than half a century, this year’s Top of the List-winning books and media again display the ability of talented storytellers to embrace all manner of subject matter,” said Booklist Editor and Publisher, Bill Ott.

The 2011 Booklist Top of the List winners are:

• Adult Fiction - "The Forgotten Waltz," by Anne Enright (Norton)
• Adult Nonfiction - "Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend," by Susan Orlean (Simon & Schuster)
• Youth Fiction - "A Monster Calls," by Patrick Ness (Candlewick)
• Youth Nonfiction - "Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade," written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Houghton)
• Youth Picture Book - "Me . . . Jane," written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell (Little, Brown)
• Video - "Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird," directed by Mary Murphy (First Run Features)
• Audio - "Bossypants," by Tina Fey; read by the author (AudioGO)
• Reference Source - "Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees & Shrubs," by Michael A. Dirr (Timber)

The Top of the List picks are featured in the special combined Jan. 1 and 15 issue of Booklist, which includes the complete annotated Editors’ Choice lists for adult books, adult books for young adults, books for youth, reference sources and media. The winners—including the longer Editors’ Choice list from which the Top of the List titles are selected—are also announced on Booklist Online at www.booklistonline.com, where Booklist subscribers can read the original full-length Booklist reviews of the selected titles.

Another way to get Booklist’s Top of the List as soon as it is announced each year is to sign up for the free e-newsletter Booklist Online REaD Alert, which also features quick links to a hand-picked selection of book reviews, features and special web-only content from Booklist Online. REaD Alert mails the same day that the latest issue of Booklist is published on Booklist Online.

Individual copies of the Booklist Editors’ Choice issue may be purchased for $9 (prepaid) by writing to Booklist Back Issues, 50. E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611.

Booklist is the book review magazine of the American Library Association, considered an essential collection development and readers’ advisory tool by thousands of librarians for more than 100 years. Booklist Online includes a growing archive of 135,000+ reviews available to all Booklist subscribers as well as a wealth of free content offering the latest news and views on books and media.