Another year is quickly drawing to a close.  It is that time of the year during which all those “Best of” lists begin popping up.  From books to music to movies and even moments, everyone has an opinion on what were the best of 2009.  We at iBraryGuy are no different.  However, with so many available “best of”  lists out there, we decided to decline the chance to reinvent the wheel and publish our own lists on specific topics.  Instead, we thought we would help our readers find some of the best of the “best ofs”.  Between now and the end of the year, we will be sharing them with you.

Best of the Best of 2009:  Books

Best of Books lists are definitely an annual favorite and among the most commonly written “best ofs”. There are so many!  Some are based on sales and others on critical opinions.  Some are even based on public polls.  Perhaps there is no single best way to compose a Best Books list.  We prefer lists that are not too heavily tied to retailers, though there is certainly nothing wrong with them.  Here are some of iBraryGuy’s favorite Best of Books lists for 2009, in no particular order (almost ironic, we know):

  • Publishers’ Weekly:  The venerable Publisher’s Weekly usually chooses 100 books for its “best of” list each year.  This year, they have upped the ante and chosen 10 as being the very best.  It is an excellent list (all-male controversy aside – we are not even going there) and a really boon for those who like to give books as holiday gifts.  Check it out here.

  • The New York Times:  Equally respected, the New York Times also publishes an excellent best books list that is designed to serve as a gift guide.  They had a much different list than PW’s above.  The NYT list also provides links to other top 10 lists by critics and writers.  No reader should end the year without giving the list a gander here.

  • NPR: NPR’s almost overwhelming Best Books of 2009 list is also excellent.  Theirs is divided up among and organized by critic.  One of the contributors is none other than librarian extraordinaire, Nancy Pearl!  You can access NPR’s list here.

  • Library Journal: Finally, Library Journal wraps up our Best of Best of Books Lists for 2009.  By their own admission, LJ was striving for a “little edginess, a little risk”.  Did they succeed?  Find out here.
There is still plenty of time to get out there and grab a tome or two for you favorite readers!

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Photo of John DiGilio John DiGilio

As an information professional and visionary, John DiGilio has over 20 years of large law firm library and legal information vendor experience. He has proudly been affiliated with some of the largest law firms and information vendors in the industry. An award winning…

As an information professional and visionary, John DiGilio has over 20 years of large law firm library and legal information vendor experience. He has proudly been affiliated with some of the largest law firms and information vendors in the industry. An award winning writer and popular speaker, John believes in the value of information and the power it can bring when harnessed wisely and efficiently.

John is the Firmwide Director of Library Services for Sidley Austin LLP. He has written for numerous regional and national publications as well as taught college and graduate courses in such topics as business ethics, e-commerce, fair employment practices, research methodology and business law.

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