It's that time again--from now until the Oscars, annual best-of lists of start to grace the arts pages of magazines and newspapers across the country. Today, the New York Times published its 10 Best Books of 2006 roundup. Whether or not you agree with the findings, the Library holds 9 out of 10 nominated titles. We like to stay one step ahead....

Fiction:

Absurdistan - Gary Shteyngart

The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel - Amy Hempel

The Emperor's Children - Claire Messud

The Lay of the Land - Richard Ford

Special Topics in Calamity Physics - Marisha Pessl

Nonfiction:

Falling Through the Earth: A Memoir - Danielle Trussoni

The Looming Tower: Al-Queda and the Road to 9/11 - Lawrence Wright

Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War - Nathaniel Philbrick

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals - Michael Pollan

The Places in Between-Rory Stewart