The Top 100 Books of 2011 According to USA TODAY

The top 100 titles of 2011, compiled from USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books list.


1 The Help Kathryn Stockett - A young white woman tells the story of black maids in 1960s Mississippi (F)

2 The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins - Youth: Girl takes sister's place in a real world survivor game in a post-apocalyptic U.S. (F)

3 Heaven is for Real Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent Subtitle: "A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back" (NF)

4 Water for Elephants Sara Gruen - Love, drama in a circus in the 1930s (F)

5 Catching Fire Suzanne Collins -  Youth: Katniss and Peeta are targeted as rebels after winning the Hunger Games; second in series (F)

6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney - Youth: Greg is trapped with his family during a blizzard after he is accused of damaging school property (F)

7 Mockingjay Suzanne Collins -  Youth: Katniss must give herself completely to the rebellion for it to succeed; final in series (F)

8 Steve Jobs: A Biography Walter Isaacson -  Biography recounts the life of the late founder of Apple (NF)

9 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson -  Journalist is hired to investigate the disappearance of an heir to a wealthy family (F)

10 Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand Subtitle: "A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" (NF)

11 The Girl Who Played With Fire Stieg Larsson - An Eastern European sex-trafficking ring propels this sequel to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (F)

12 Inheritance Christopher Paolini - Youth: Eragon and his dragon must topple an evil king to restore justice to their land; fourth in series (F)

13 The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest Stieg Larsson - Lisbeth Salander is accused of murder and turns to journalist Mikael Blomkvist for help; last in series (F)

14 The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus, Book Two Rick Riordan - Youth: Demigods Jason, Piper and Leo continue quest; second in series (F)

15 Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard - The Fox News host writes an account of President Lincoln's death at the hand of John Wilkes Booth (NF)

16 The Litigators John Grisham - Partners in a two-bit law firm land a big case that could make them rich (F)

17 A Stolen Life Jaycee Dugard - Memoir: Kidnapping victim recounts 18 years of captivity and abuse (NF)

18 A Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin - Trouble and coldness descend on a kingdom where the seasons are out of balance; book one in series (F)

19 The Confession John Grisham -  The wrong man awaits execution in the rape and murder of a high school cheerleader (F)

20 The Best of Me Nicholas Sparks-  Lovers torn apart by unforeseen events reunite 25 years later (F)

21 Smokin' Seventeen Janet Evanovich - Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum investigates a series of killings; 17th in series (F)

22 Bossypants Tina Fey - The comedy writer and star of 30 Rock riffs on her life and career (NF)

23 11/22/63 Stephen King - A teacher travels back in time to try to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (F)

24 Cutting for Stone Abraham Verghese - A 50-year epic that begins with the birth of conjoined twins to an Indian nun in 1950s Ethiopia (F)

25 The Throne of Fire Rick Riordan - Youth: Carter Kane and his sister Sadie continue their quest to save the world; second in series (F)

26 A Dance With Dragons George R.R. Martin - The fate of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance once again; fifth book in series (F)

27 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Jeff Kinney - Youth: Greg learns to deal with boy-girl parties; fifth in series (F)

28 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Rebecca Skloot - The story of a Virginia tobacco farmer whose tissue cells became essential in creating the polio vaccine (NF)

29 Room Emma Donoghue - Story of a 5-year-old boy held captive with his mother in a single room, the only world he knows (F)

30 The 17 Day Diet Mike Moreno - Subtitle: "A Doctor's Plan Designed for Rapid Results" (NF)

31 Something Borrowed Emily Giffin - Young attorney falls for her best friend's fiance (F)

32 The Lincoln Lawyer Michael Connelly - Defense attorney gets his first high-paying client, trouble starts (F)

33 Sarah's Key Tatiana de Rosnay - A French journalist finds herself related to a young girl who was part of the 1942 Vel' d'Hiv' roundup (F)

34 Kill Alex Cross James Patterson - Alex Cross must stop an attack on Washington, D.C., while investigating the abduction of the President's children (F)

35 In the Garden of Beasts Erik Larson Subtitle: "Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin" (NF)

36 Now You See Her James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge - A lawyer who began a new life in New York must return to Florida to confront her secret past in order to help a man framed for murder (F)

37 A Clash of Kings George R.R. Martin - Factions struggle to gain control of a divided land; book two in A Song of Ice and Fire series (F)

38 Breaking Dawn Stephenie Meyer-  Youth: Fourth installment in Twilight vampire series; movie (F)

39 Explosive Eighteen Janet Evanovich - Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum inadvertently becomes involved in an international murder mystery (F)

40 Dead Reckoning Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's but family drama keeps her from investigating; 11th in series (F)

41 StrengthsFinder 2.0 Tom Rath - Lifetime strategies for using your talents (NF)

42 The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition Carol V. Aebersold, Chanda B. Bell - Children: Santa relies on elves to find out who has been naughty and who has been nice (F)

43 The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus, Book One Rick Riordan - Youth: After saving Olympus, Percy Jackson and friends have rebuilt Camp Half-Blood for the next generation of demigods (F)

44 Awakened Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast - Youth: As high priestess, Neferet swears vengeance on vampire-in-training Zoey; eighth in series (F)

45 Tick Tock James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge-  NYPD detective Michael Bennett and a former FBI colleague investigate a series of murders (F)

46 10th Anniversary James Patterson, Maxine Paetro - Members of the Women's Murder Club juggle criminal investigation, murder prosecution and family drama (F)

47 The Paris Wife: A Novel Paula McLain - Hadley Richardson, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway, tells her story (F)

48 Cross Fire James Patterson - Detective Alex Cross' deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig, is back and plotting revenge on Cross and his fiance, Bree (F)

49 Sing You Home Jodi Picoult - Zoe, a music therapist, faces prejudice when she finds love with another woman (F)

50 The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein - A novel that reflects on what it is to be human, told from the family dog's point of view (F)

51 The Next Always Nora Roberts - An architect woos his childhood crush while he and his family renovate a historic hotel (F)

52 George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin - Boxed set of the first four volumes in the Game of Thrones series (F)

53 The Sixth Man David Baldacci - Private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell must prove whether an alleged serial killer is guilty (F)

54 One Day David Nicholls - A yearly snapshot of a single day in a couple's 20-year on-again, off-again relationship (F)

55 Safe Haven Nicholas Sparks - Newcomer to small town deals with new love and dark past (F)

56 The Mill River Recluse Darcie Chan - A town’s fascination with a reclusive widow and her secrets could spell trouble (F)

57 A Storm of Swords George R.R. Martin - Tensions build as the Seven Kingdoms remain at war; third in series (F)

58 The Affair Lee Child - Military cop Jack Reacher exposes a cover-up involving a fellow soldier (F)

59 The Search Nora Roberts - The past comes back to haunt dog trainer Fiona Bristow, the lone survivor of a serial killer (F)

60 Guinness World Records 2012 Guinness World Records - Record-holding figures and feats from around the world (NF)

61 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney - Youth: Greg Heffley’s older brother knows secret; sequel (F)

62 What the Night Knows Dean Koontz - A homicide detective is on the trail of either a copycat serial killer or the ghost of one past (F)

63 The 5 Love Languages Gary Chapman - Subtitle: "The Secret to Love That Lasts" (NF)

64 A Feast for Crows George R.R. Martin - Power struggle continues in the Seven Kingdoms; fourth in series (F)

65 The Land of Painted Caves Jean M. Auel - The Ice Age-era story of Ayla as she struggles to balance motherhood and her training to become a spiritual leader; final in series (F)

66 Zero Day David Baldacci - John Puller, an Army Special Agent, investigates the murder of a family in rural West Virginia (F)

67 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney - Youth: Diary from a middle-schooler, Greg Heffley (F)

68 The Shack William P. Young - Man reconnects with God after death of child (F)

69 The Kane Chronicles, Book 1: The Red Pyramid Rick Riordan - Youth: Modern-day siblings discover that the gods of ancient Egypt are back and not happy; first in series (F)

70 Go the ---- To Sleep Adam Mansbach, illustrations by Ricardo Cortes - An adult-only version of a traditional children's bedtime book (F)

71 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Jeff Kinney - Youth: Greg tries to toughen up to avoid military school; third in series (F)

72 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney - Youth: Greg's summer plans include video games and no responsibility; fourth in series (F)

73 Toys James Patterson, Neil McMahon - Agent Hays Baker, who possesses super-human strength and intelligence, uses his powers to benefit mankind (F)

74 The Fifth Witness Michael Connelly - Defense attorney Mickey Haller represents a woman in foreclosure accused of killing her banker (F)

75 City of Fallen Angels Cassandra Clare - Paranormal: Shadowhunter-in-training Clary Fray sets in motion a chain of events that could lead to war (F)

76 The 4-Hour Body Timothy Ferriss - Subtitle: "An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman" (NF)

77 Destined P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast - Youth: Forces collide at the House of Night when Zoey and her friends return for classes (F)

78 Something Blue Emily Giffin - Darcy's perfect world turns upside down (F)

79 Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Jamie Ford - Henry Lee searches for Keiko, his long-lost love during World War II (F)

80 Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1: The Lightning Thief Rick Riordan - Youth: Percy goes to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon; movie (F)

81 The Abbey Chris Culver - A homicide detective ready to retire has one last case, investigating his niece's murder (F)

82 Kill Me If You Can James Patterson, Marshall Karp - A poor art student lands in hot water after stumbling upon a duffel bag filled with diamonds (F)

83 The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition The College Board - Instruction manual featuring official SAT practice tests (NF)

84 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Ransom Riggs - Jacob, 16, discovers the crumbling ruins of an old home that may still be inhabited (F)

85 What to Expect When You're Expecting Heidi Murkoff, Sharon Mazel -  Cover-to-cover revision of the popular pregnancy book (NF)

86 V is for Vengeance Sue Grafton - Kinsey Millhone investigates a professional shoplifting ring that is connected with the Mob (F)

87 Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5: The Last Olympian Rick Riordan - Youth: Percy Jackson attempts to stop the Lord of Time (F)

88 To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee - Coming-of-age classic about racism; Pulitzer winner (F)

89 1105 Yakima Street Debbie Macomber - Bruce Peyton has his hands full with winning back a pregnant wife and raising a difficult teen (F)

90 The Drop Michael Connelly - LAPD Harry Bosch investigates a murder and a political conspiracy (F)

91 State of Wonder Ann Patchett - An American scientist stumbles onto a search for a miracle fertility drug (F)

92 Decision Points George W. Bush - The former president describes key decisions, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the economy (NF)

93 The Dukan Diet Pierre Dukan - Subtitle: "2 Steps to Lose the Weight, 2 Steps to Keep It Off Forever" (NF)

94 The Glass Castle: A Memoir Jeannette Walls - Memoir: Walls, a regular contributor to MSNBC.com, tells about her feckless parents and fending for herself (NF)

95 I Am Number Four Pittacus Lore - Youth: After aliens kill the first three Loric children of nine, the fourth, John Smith, must save himself (F)

96 Port Mortuary Patricia Cornwell - In her 18th Kay Scarpetta novel, Cornwell takes us back to the beginning of the medical examiner's career (F)

97 Hell's Corner David Baldacci - Former assassin goes on a high-risk, covert mission at the personal request of the president (F)

98 Treachery in Death J.D. Robb  - Detective Eve Dallas investigates the murder of an elderly grocery owner (F)

99 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone J.K. Rowling, art by Mary GrandPré - Youth: An English boy named Harry goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; first in series (F)

100 Goodnight Moon Board Book Margaret Wise Brown, art by Clement Hurd - The old lady is still whispering hush in 1947 children's book (F)

Showing 1 to 100 of 100 entriesSearch: Source: USA TODAY Best-Selling Books

Writing Tip - writers are often required to describe their book or novel in one sentence ... many beginners think it can't be done. Take another look at this list!
 
Note: Nearly 25% of the books on this list are for children and the YA group.