Since 1944, the goal of the Notable Books Council has been to make available to the nation’s readers a list of about 25 very good, very readable and, at times, very important fiction, nonfiction and poetry books for the adult reader. A book may be selected for inclusion on the Notable Books List if it possesses exceptional literary merit; expands the horizons of human knowledge; makes a specialized body of knowledge accessible to the non-specialist; has the potential to contribute significantly to the solution of a contemporary problem; and/or presents a unique concept. The winners were selected by the Notable Books Council.
The 2012 winners are:
NON-FICTION:
Adams, Mark. "Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time." In this humorous travelogue, the author sprinkles historical anecdote with investigative reporting as he retraces the steps of early explorers into ancient Peru.
Bartók, Mira. "The Memory Palace." Beautifully wrought memoir chronicles the 17-year estrangement of the author and her homeless, schizophrenic mother and the painful reunion that brings them together.
Gleick, James. "The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood." This comprehensive study, a melodious interplay between science and literature, documents the transmission of human knowledge from the talking drums to the Internet.
Greenblatt, Stephen. "The Swerve: How the World Became Modern." Meditation on the power of literature, examining how a medieval book hunter’s serendipitous discovery of an ancient prose poem provides a theoretical bridge to the Renaissance.
Hillenbrand, Laura. "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption." An Olympic runner's physical and inner strength is tested by the experience and aftermath of a plane crash, 42 days at sea and Japanese imprisonment.
Hitchens, Christopher. "Arguably: Essays." Polymath and public intellectual displays his considerable range and biting wit in these thoughtful, incisive pieces that provoke and challenge.
Homans, Jennifer. "Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet." Elegant, authoritative work traces the evolution of classical dance from the 16th century to today, highlighting social and cultural dimensions of this traditional art form.
Kahneman, Daniel. "Thinking, Fast and Slow." Entertaining look at the complexities and oddities that characterize our mental processes from the only psychologist ever to have won the Nobel Prize for Economics.
Marable, Manning. "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention." Definitive work on his life and transformation from petty thief to charismatic leader of during the turbulent civil rights era.
Millard, Candace. "Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President." Era of great corruption and change in U.S. history is illuminated through the tragic story of two men – one destined for greatness, the other a madman.
Mukherjee, Siddhartha. "Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer." The history of these diseases and their treatment is examined through the stories of those seeking to discover a cure and the individuals affected.
Reitman, Janet. "Inside Scientology: The Story of America’s Most Secretive Religion." An investigation of the origins, personalities and controversies of this uniquely American religious movement.
POETRY:
Rimbaud, Arthur. "Illuminations." Translated by John Ashbery. A vigorous new translation of the French prodigy’s last poems as rendered by one of America’s finest contemporary poets.
Bartlett, Jennifer, Sheila Black and Michael, Northen. "Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability." Collection of poems and essays that provides insight into the lives of the estimated 50 million Americans with disabilities.
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