Best books of 2012
PHOTOS | As the end of the year approaches, we’ve chosen our favorite fiction, nonfiction and graphic novels from 2012.
Recent Reviews
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Titian: A portrait of the artist
Sheila Hale’s new book on the incomparable Venetian is the best biography of the year.
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Oprah’s latest pick is ‘The Twelve Tribes of Hattie,’ by Ayana Mathis
A moving debut novel about a struggling mother and her family in Philadelphia.
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Hot romance reads for cold weather
New novels from Theresa Romain, Julie Anne Long, Sarah Morgan, Thea Harrison and Lauren Dane.
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Between reality and a nightmare
Stories in Elizabeth Hand’s new collection, “Errantry,” inspire wonder or horror — or both.
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David Baldacci’s latest thriller
In “The Forgotten,” the eerily Jack Reacher-like John Puller battles the international slave trade.
Exploring ‘Heaven’ and history
REVIEW | End of trilogy about black community reminds us that lives are shaped by time together.
American Science Fiction: Nine Classic Novels of the 1950s
REVIEW | The Library of America publishes a handsome two-volume set of nine novels.
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Drawn into a circle of poetry giants
REVIEW | In ‘With Robert Lowell and His Circle,’ Kathleen Spivack recalls time among poetry’s greats.
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The fan is mightier than the sword in ‘The Stockholm Octavo’
In Karen Engelmann’s 18th-century costume drama, a compelling story slowly unfolds.
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After “Madame Butterfly”
David Rain’s first novel, “The Heat of the Sun,” chronicles the life of Cio-Cio-San’s son.
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‘Sleep Like a Tiger’
A magical picture book about going to bed — or not, by Mary Logue and Pamela Zagarenski.
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‘Starry River of the Sky’
Grace Lin returns to the old, fantastical China of her Newbery Honor book.
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Nineteen different-tasting stories
You may not like all the tales in “She Loves Me Not,” but but at least author Ron Hansen offers variety.
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Back to France with Peter Mayle
Enterprising bon vivant Sam Levitt is back for another delicious detective romp in “The Marseille Caper.”
Sunday reviews
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A chief justice’s crusade
Book review: “The Partisan: The Life of William Rehnquist” by John A. Jenkins
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Lifelong activist and intellectual
In “Howard Zinn,” Martin Duberman traces the life and work of the civil rights activist and radical historian.
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A Marine’s heroic story
In ‘Into the Fire,’ Dakota Meyer recounts his actions in battle that earned him high distinction.
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The admiral who made the modern Navy
In ‘Zumwalt,’ Larry Berman explores Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, who guided the Navy during the final days of Vietnam.
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The best books of the year
Washington Post book critic Jonathan Yardley gives his best reads of the year.
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The author who couldn’t say no
“Thornton Wilder: A Life” explores why the Pulitzer-winning novelist and playwright sought solitude out West.
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The mother behind the author
REVIEW | “Marmee and Louisa” explores how Louisa May Alcott’s mother influenced her work.
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Wine’s journey through history
“Divine Vintage” and “Inventing Wine” tell the vintage story from biblical days to the latest fads.
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China and its foreign friends
In “Restless Empire,” Odd Arne Westad offers a provocative view of foreign influence in China.
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Football at its most outrageous
In “The Dallas Cowboys,” Joe Nick Patoski chronicles America’s most hated and most loved football team.
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The John Lennon letters
Hunter Davies has compiled and annotated the musician’s notes, screeds, asides and howls
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Treason at the CIA
Sandra Grimes and Jeanne Vertefeuille recall Aldrich Ames, the CIA mole who spied for the KGB
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A Small Town Near Auschwitz
Mary Fulbrook examines the people who ignored the death camps in their neighborhoods
Washington Post Bestsellers Nov. 18
The books Washington has been reading.
Ron Charles
![Ron Charles](/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Staff-Bio/Images/ron-charles_80x72.jpg)
Oprah’s latest pick is ‘The Twelve Tribes of Hattie,’ by Ayana Mathis
A moving debut novel about a struggling mother and her family in Philadelphia.
Ron Charles
![Ron Charles](/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Staff-Bio/Images/ron-charles_80x72.jpg)
The fan is mightier than the sword in ‘The Stockholm Octavo’
In Karen Engelmann’s 18th-century costume drama, a compelling story slowly unfolds.
Ron Charles
![Ron Charles](/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Staff-Bio/Images/ron-charles_80x72.jpg)
Larger, sexier and richer than life
REVIEW | In Bill Roorbach’s new novel, a young man gets drawn into the deadly lives of celebrities.
Michael Dirda
![Michael Dirda](/rw/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/04/04/Web-Resampled/2011-04-04/michael-dirda_80x72--78x70.jpg)
Titian: A portrait of the artist
Sheila Hale’s new book on the incomparable Venetian is the best biography of the year.
Michael Dirda
![Michael Dirda](/rw/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/04/04/Web-Resampled/2011-04-04/michael-dirda_80x72--78x70.jpg)
Drawn into a circle of poetry giants
REVIEW | In ‘With Robert Lowell and His Circle,’ Kathleen Spivack recalls time among poetry’s greats.
Michael Dirda
![Michael Dirda](/rw/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/04/04/Web-Resampled/2011-04-04/michael-dirda_80x72--78x70.jpg)
Spanish lessons for modern America
In “History in the Making,” Sir John Elliot looks back on his career as a Hispanist.
Jonathan Yardley
![Jonathan Yardley](/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Staff-Bio/Images/jonathan-yardley_80x72.jpg)
The best books of the year
Washington Post book critic Jonathan Yardley gives his best reads of the year.
Jonathan Yardley
![Jonathan Yardley](/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Staff-Bio/Images/jonathan-yardley_80x72.jpg)
“A Wicked War”
Amy S. Greenberg examines how the Mexican War altered the livesof Henry Clay, James K. Polk and Abraham Lincoln
Literary Calendar
Going Out Guide: Upcoming events
![Going Out Guide: Upcoming events](https://web.archive.org/web/20121214061932/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/03/08/Weekend/Images/goglogo.jpg)
Get the latest on readings, signings and author appearances in the D.C. area.
Best books of 2011
Elsewhere in Entertainment
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