Reviews

The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2011 by Dave Eggers

abetterbradley's review

4.0

A hit or miss collection. I skip over the boring and stick with the interesting. The best thing about this collection is that it benefits the 826 Project, a renown writing/tutoring program for students 6-18.

http://www.826national.org/

emilyinherhead's review

5.0

I really enjoyed the variety here. Many different types of writing were included (true stories, short fiction, magazine articles, lists, graphic novel excerpts) and all were outstanding. Looking forward to future years' BANR compilations.

sp3cia1j's review

3.0

Overall a good read. Some stories I didn't care for, and some will stick with me for awhile. This collection did make me realize that collections of short stories are not my cup of tea - I found it hard to transition from a story on genocide in Burma to one about a suburban plastic surgeon. I experienced a series of mini book hangovers I guess you could say. In any case, there are some authors here I plan on seeking out in the future.

bibliocyclist's review

4.0

"The future is gated, and there are tolls to be paid."

wskent's review

3.0

A review of everything you didn't read in 2011. This year's collection was exceptionally sad. The compilation was mechanically efficient in making me consider the threads of silver lining woven into each stormy story. Highlights include:

Best American Profile of an International Pop Star - Shteyngart
Art of the Steal - Bearman
Game of Her Life - Crothers
Solitude and Leadership - Deresiewicz
The Deep - Doerr
What Killed Aiyana Stanley-Jones - LeDuff
Mid-Life Cowboy - Spring

Give it a read.