BookRank

Best of the year

Best books of 2011

101 highest-rated books first published in 2011.

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Why The Wise Man's Fear is #1

The Wise Man's Fear (Patrick Rothfuss) scores 8.9/10 from 3K ratings — 0.2 points ahead of The Crippled God in second place.

The score is a weighted average across 3 independent rating sources. A title with few ratings is pulled toward the category average, so a handful of enthusiastic reviews cannot outrank a book that thousands of readers have judged. Method →

  1. The Wise Man's Fear
    The Wise Man's FearPatrick Rothfuss · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy3K ratings
    8.98.9 / 10
  2. The Crippled God
    The Crippled GodSteven Erikson · 2011 Fantasy278 ratings1
    8.78.7 / 10
  3. 11/22/63
    11/22/63Stephen King · 2011NYT bestseller Science fiction1.9K ratings
    8.68.6 / 10
  4. Leviathan Wakes
    Leviathan WakesJames S. A. Corey · 2011 Science fiction3.2K ratings
    8.68.6 / 10
  5. A Monster Calls
    A Monster CallsPatrick Ness · 2011 Fantasy719 ratings
    8.68.6 / 10
  6. I Want My Hat Back
    I Want My Hat BackJon Klassen · 2011 Picture books96 ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  7. The Song of Achilles
    The Song of AchillesMadeline Miller · 2011NYT bestseller Historical fiction3K ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  8. A Dance with Dragons
    A Dance with DragonsGeorge R. R. Martin · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy2.5K ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  9. The Heroes
    The HeroesJoe Abercrombie · 2011 Fantasy578 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  10. Clockwork Prince
    Clockwork PrinceCassandra Clare · 2011 Fantasy665 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  11. Steve Jobs
    Steve JobsWalter Isaacson · 2011NYT bestseller Biography & memoir1.5K ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  12. The Son of Neptune
    The Son of NeptuneRick Riordan · 2011 Fantasy1.2K ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  13. Habibi
    HabibiCraig Thompson · 2011 Comics155 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  14. Debt
    DebtDavid Graeber · 2011 Business236 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  15. Ghost Story
    Ghost StoryJim Butcher · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy675 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  16. The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood
    The Information: A History, a Theory, a FloodJames Gleick · 2011NYT bestseller Popular science127 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  17. Mistborn: The Alloy of Law
    Mistborn: The Alloy of LawBrandon Sanderson · 2011 Fantasy2.4K ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  18. Fuzzy Nation
    Fuzzy NationJohn Scalzi · 2011 Science fiction334 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  19. Thinking, Fast and Slow
    Thinking, Fast and SlowDaniel Kahneman · 2011NYT bestseller Psychology1.2K ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  20. The Outcasts
    The OutcastsJohn Flanagan · 2011 Fantasy80 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  21. 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
    1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus CreatedCharles C. Mann · 2011NYT bestseller History63 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  22. Mastiff
    MastiffTamora Pierce · 2011 Fantasy86 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  23. Ghost in the Wires
    Ghost in the WiresKevin Mitnick · 2011NYT bestseller Biography & memoir326 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  24. The Magic of Reality
    The Magic of RealityRichard Dawkins · 2011 Popular science111 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  25. Death of Kings
    Death of KingsBernard Cornwell · 2011NYT bestseller Historical fiction103 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  26. Ready Player One
    Ready Player OneErnest Cline · 2011NYT bestseller Science fiction5.7K ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  27. Hexed
    HexedKevin Hearne · 2011 Fantasy385 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  28. Hammered
    HammeredKevin Hearne · 2011 Fantasy335 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  29. River Marked
    River MarkedPatricia Briggs · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy193 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  30. The Throne of Fire
    The Throne of FireRick Riordan · 2011 Fantasy515 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  31. A Kingdom Besieged
    A Kingdom BesiegedRaymond E. Feist · 2011 Fantasy77 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  32. My Brilliant Friend
    My Brilliant FriendElena Ferrante · 2011 Historical fiction615 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  33. Hounded
    HoundedKevin Hearne · 2011 Fantasy447 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  34. Beyonders: A World Without Heroes
    Beyonders: A World Without HeroesBrandon Mull · 2011 Fantasy97 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  35. Snuff
    SnuffTerry Pratchett · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy426 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  36. Moon Over Soho
    Moon Over SohoBen Aaronovitch · 2011 Fantasy459 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  37. The Better Angels of Our Nature
    The Better Angels of Our NatureSteven Pinker · 2011NYT bestseller Nature & environment91 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  38. Bloodlines
    BloodlinesRichelle Mead · 2011 Fantasy149 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  39. One of Our Thursdays Is Missing
    One of Our Thursdays Is MissingJasper Fforde · 2011 Fantasy82 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  40. Blue Nights
    Blue NightsJoan Didion · 2011NYT bestseller Biography & memoir55 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  41. The Lean Startup
    The Lean StartupEric Ries · 2011 Business426 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  42. Deathless
    DeathlessCatherynne M. Valente · 2011 Fantasy92 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  43. A Trick of the Light
    A Trick of the LightLouise Penny · 2011 Crime & mystery94 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  44. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
    The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own MakingCatherynne M. Valente · 2011 Fantasy130 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  45. The Affair
    The AffairLee Child · 2011NYT bestseller Crime & mystery244 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  46. The Lost Stories
    The Lost StoriesJohn Flanagan · 2011 Fantasy125 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  47. The Warlock: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
    The Warlock: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas FlamelMichael Scott · 2011 Fantasy160 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  48. Moonwalking with Einstein
    Moonwalking with EinsteinJoshua Foer · 2011NYT bestseller Popular science402 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  49. The Rogue
    The RogueTrudi Canavan · 2011 Fantasy80 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  50. Inheritance
    InheritanceChristopher Paolini · 2011 Fantasy1.9K ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  51. Akata Witch
    Akata WitchNnedi Okorafor · 2011 Fantasy210 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  52. The Night Circus
    The Night CircusErin Morgenstern · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy1.7K ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  53. The Fifth Witness
    The Fifth WitnessMichael Connelly · 2011NYT bestseller Crime & mystery141 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  54. Scorpia Rising
    Scorpia RisingAnthony Horowitz · 2011 Spy & espionage98 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  55. The Drop
    The DropMichael Connelly · 2011NYT bestseller Crime & mystery119 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  56. Phantom
    PhantomJo Nesbø · 2011 Crime & mystery90 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  57. Fallen
    FallenKarin Slaughter · 2011NYT bestseller Crime & mystery69 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  58. The Kingdom of Gods
    The Kingdom of GodsN. K. Jemisin · 2011 Fantasy196 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  59. The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary
    The Wimpy Kid Movie DiaryJeff Kinney · 2011 Children’s books68 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  60. The Lost Gate
    The Lost GateOrson Scott Card · 2011 Fantasy168 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  61. Red GloveHolly Black
    Red GloveHolly Black · 2011 Fantasy62 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  62. The Blackhouse
    The BlackhousePeter May · 2011 Crime & mystery57 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  63. Rivers of London
    Rivers of LondonBen Aaronovitch · 2011 Fantasy816 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  64. Legend
    LegendMarie Lu · 2011 Dystopian760 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  65. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows
    I Am Half-Sick of ShadowsAlan Bradley · 2011 Crime & mystery77 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  66. Goliath
    GoliathScott Westerfeld · 2011 Young adult194 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  67. Embassytown
    EmbassytownChina Miéville · 2011 Science fiction298 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  68. Safe Haven
    Safe HavenNicholas Sparks · 2011NYT bestseller Romance121 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  69. How to Be a Woman
    How to Be a WomanCaitlin Moran · 2011NYT bestseller Biography & memoir123 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  70. Destined
    DestinedKristin Cast · 2011 Fantasy91 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  71. The Sixth Man
    The Sixth ManDavid Baldacci · 2011NYT bestseller Crime & mystery78 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  72. Zero Day
    Zero DayDavid Baldacci · 2011NYT bestseller Thriller112 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  73. Awakened
    AwakenedKristin Cast · 2011 Young adult176 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  74. On the Island
    On the IslandTracey Garvis Graves · 2011NYT bestseller Romance59 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  75. In the Garden of Beasts
    In the Garden of BeastsErik Larson · 2011NYT bestseller History280 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  76. Smokin' Seventeen
    Smokin' SeventeenJanet Evanovich · 2011NYT bestseller Crime & mystery75 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  77. Angel
    AngelJames Patterson · 2011 Young adult59 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  78. City of Fallen Angels
    City of Fallen AngelsCassandra Clare · 2011 Fantasy782 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  79. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
    Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?Mindy Kaling · 2011NYT bestseller Biography & memoir419 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  80. The Omen Machine
    The Omen MachineTerry Goodkind · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy83 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  81. Prince of Thorns
    Prince of ThornsMark Lawrence · 2011 Fantasy638 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  82. A Discovery of Witches
    A Discovery of WitchesDeborah Harkness · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy763 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  83. Passion
    PassionLauren Kate · 2011 Fantasy112 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  84. The Litigators
    The LitigatorsJohn Grisham · 2011NYT bestseller Thriller95 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  85. Silence
    SilenceBecca Fitzpatrick · 2011 Romance173 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  86. Divergent
    DivergentVeronica Roth · 2011Filmed 2014 Science fiction3.3K ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  87. The Best of Me
    The Best of MeNicholas Sparks · 2011NYT bestseller Romance83 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  88. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
    Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar ChildrenRansom Riggs · 2011 Fantasy1.5K ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  89. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying UpMarie Kondō · 2011 Self-help859 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  90. The Land of Painted Caves
    The Land of Painted CavesJean M. Auel · 2011NYT bestseller Historical fiction54 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  91. Delirium
    DeliriumLauren Oliver · 2011 Dystopian450 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  92. Beautiful Chaos
    Beautiful ChaosKami Garcia · 2011 Romance123 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  93. Micro
    MicroMichael Crichton · 2011NYT bestseller Science fiction140 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  94. Hit List
    Hit ListLaurell K. Hamilton · 2011NYT bestseller Horror59 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  95. Dead Reckoning
    Dead ReckoningCharlaine Harris · 2011NYT bestseller Fantasy202 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  96. The Night Eternal
    The Night EternalGuillermo del Toro · 2011NYT bestseller Horror131 ratings
    7.27.2 / 10
  97. Shatter Me
    Shatter MeTahereh Mafi · 2011 Romance973 ratings
    7.27.2 / 10
  98. The Death Cure
    The Death CureJames Dashner · 2011 Young adult983 ratings
    7.17.1 / 10
  99. Zone One
    Zone OneColson Whitehead · 2011 Horror107 ratings
    7.17.1 / 10
  100. Crossed
    CrossedAlly Condie · 2011 Young adult329 ratings
    7.07.0 / 10
  101. Fifty Shades of Grey
    Fifty Shades of GreyE. L. James · 2011NYT bestseller Romance1.4K ratings
    6.16.1 / 10

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