The best American nonrequired reading, 2013

Welcome to the twelfth edition of this popular series, the last to be edited by founding editor Eggers. It's surprising, in a way, that the series has lasted this long, considering that each installment is a sort of mishmash of fiction and nonfiction pieces, without a truly unifying theme, selected by high-school students. But that's the genius of the series. It eschews big names, big issues, and award winners in favor of stuff that's simply entertaining. That's not to say you won't find a few recognizable names on the contents page; this installment includes Lynda Barry, Jennifer Egan, and Nick Hornby. The selections include think pieces, personal reflections, some poetry, some fiction, and some just plain unclassifiable writing drawn from such diverse sources as the New Yorker, the Paris Review, and the website tumblr. Something for everyone, indeed.--Pitt, David Copyright 2010 Booklist

Since 2002, Eggers (editor, McSweeney's; What Is the What; A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) has been gathering San Francisco Bay Area high school students into workshops to compile writing for this series. Sadly, the 2013 volume will be Eggers's last, although luckily the series will continue under the creative direction of David Handler, aka Lemony Snicket ("A Series of Unfortunate Events"). Featuring poems, stories, essays, and cartoons, the main selection criterion is simply that the writing be the best: "The Best American Poem About a Particle Accelerator," "The Best American Comic That Ends in Arson." In other words, there are no limits. This volume is a home for writing that deserves a category all its own, remnants and ephemera that might have otherwise been missed: a term paper assigned by Kurt Vonnegut, Seinfeld episodes pitched in a tweet, Yelp reviews written in the style of Cormac McCarthy. In the introduction, guest editor Mosley ("The Easy Rawlins" mysteries) writes, "Real reading is rereading." Short and sweet, each piece in this collection invites the reader to do just that. Verdict Although this collection is targeted toward the young, hip, and 25-and-under crowd, lit lovers of any age will find themselves engrossed. Proceeds from this book benefit the nonprofit organization 826 National.-Meagan Lacy, Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis Libs. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Celebrated editor and author Eggers (Hologram for the King, 2012, etc.) returns with his 12th--and final, he says--edited collection of pieces selected by student members of 826 National. Eclectic is indeed the best word to describe this odd assembly. There are works of fiction (long, short), nonfiction (ditto), tomfoolery and earnestness--and a relentless sense of multiculturalism. There are selections about Guatemala, Cuba, Tokyo, Haiti, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Spain and numerous other locales--including the United States. Just about all socioeconomic classes appear, as well, but the focus is on those who are struggling. The final grim story takes place in a grim iron mine in a grim section of India, and earlier tales present the homeless, the deprived and the criminal--outliers of many sorts. There are lies and sex and violence and numerous manifestations of the notion that we are not a very good species. To their credit, Eggers and the students selected pieces from some sources that are generally off most general readers' radar--Byliner, Storyville and even a piece from tumblr.com. But noted periodicals are represented here, as well, including the New Yorker, Paris Review and National Geographic. Though many of the authors will also be new to many readers, there is a gripping bullfighting story by Karen Russell, a spy story with a graphics feature by Jennifer Egan and a snarky explanation of a term paper assignment from the late Kurt Vonnegut Jr. There's also an amusing tale by Nick Hornby about a bitter divorce, a journalist who starts a column called "Bastard," which features tales about her ex-husband. Religion appears rarely but has a prominent role in a surreal tale about a religious settlement on a West Indian island where a deep (bottomless?) hole lures some followers to take a leap of faith. A motley collection to match every mood a relentless reader might have.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Welcome to the twelfth edition of this popular series, the last to be edited by founding editor Eggers. It's surprising, in a way, that the series has lasted this long, considering that each installment is a sort of mishmash of fiction and nonfiction pieces, without a truly unifying theme, selected by high-school students. But that's the genius of the series. It eschews big names, big issues, and award winners in favor of stuff that's simply entertaining. That's not to say you won't find a few recognizable names on the contents page; this installment includes Lynda Barry, Jennifer Egan, and Nick Hornby. The selections include think pieces, personal reflections, some poetry, some fiction, and some just plain unclassifiable writing drawn from such diverse sources as the New Yorker, the Paris Review, and the website tumblr. Something for everyone, indeed. Copyright 2013 Booklist Reviews.

Since 2002, Eggers (editor, McSweeney's; What Is the What; A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) has been gathering San Francisco Bay Area high school students into workshops to compile writing for this series. Sadly, the 2013 volume will be Eggers's last, although luckily the series will continue under the creative direction of David Handler, aka Lemony Snicket ("A Series of Unfortunate Events"). Featuring poems, stories, essays, and cartoons, the main selection criterion is simply that the writing be the best: "The Best American Poem About a Particle Accelerator," "The Best American Comic That Ends in Arson." In other words, there are no limits. This volume is a home for writing that deserves a category all its own, remnants and ephemera that might have otherwise been missed: a term paper assigned by Kurt Vonnegut, Seinfeld episodes pitched in a tweet, Yelp reviews written in the style of Cormac McCarthy. In the introduction, guest editor Mosley ("The Easy Rawlins" mysteries) writes, "Real reading is rereading." Short and sweet, each piece in this collection invites the reader to do just that. Verdict Although this collection is targeted toward the young, hip, and 25-and-under crowd, lit lovers of any age will find themselves engrossed. Proceeds from this book benefit the nonprofit organization 826 National.—Meagan Lacy, Indiana Univ.–Purdue Univ. Indianapolis Libs. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.