Best Essays of the year

April 19, 2012 3:59 AM

Byliner (prev 1,2) has released its list of 101 Spectacular Nonfiction Stories from the last year from around the web.
posted by scodger (12 comments total)

What a great collection. Never heard of Byliner. I will be spending too much time on that site I imagine.
posted by 2manyusernames at 4:52 AM on April 19, 2012

I mistakenly thought the list on the left was the 101 and when I got to 7. "Scarlett Johansson: Back in Stride" I thought the "Spectacular" claim was in serious trouble.
posted by Trurl at 5:30 AM on April 19, 2012

Between this, Longform and Longreads, I WILL NEVER CATCH UP.
posted by jquinby at 6:09 AM on April 19, 2012 [5 favorites]

Scarlett Johansson is, in fact, more spectacular than Charles Krauthammer, who is featured on the actual list.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:55 AM on April 19, 2012

I just read two of the 101 and I have to agree, they were worth reading.
posted by cribcage at 7:06 AM on April 19, 2012

Most of these could have been used in an FPP. Good writing. Thanks for posting.
If it rains this weekend I know what I'm doing now.
posted by adamvasco at 7:47 AM on April 19, 2012 [1 favorite]

I will never get through reading all these stories by the time this year's spectacular stories are released next year. Great find!
posted by Renoroc at 8:24 AM on April 19, 2012

For 2011 also:

LongForm Best of 2011
2011 Pulitzer Prize winners
The Browser Best of 2011
National Magazine Awards
posted by stbalbach at 8:37 AM on April 19, 2012

Really enjoying, thank you.
posted by Dragonness at 9:48 AM on April 19, 2012

The piece from Joe Posnanski, I Hope You're Happy With Your Husband is fantastic. He's a sporswriter who routinely pumps out 6,000 word blog posts, and is at his absolute best when talking about the little moments that make up real life. He also writes beautifully about being a father and the joys and pressures inherent in that role. This piece brings the two together and I think it's absolutely killer.
posted by that's candlepin at 1:02 PM on April 19, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thanks so much for this. I used to check Byliner regularly but had gotten out of the habit. This has reminded me why I love their selection of non-fiction.
posted by harriet vane at 2:09 AM on April 20, 2012

Previous lists: 2010. 2009. 2008.
posted by zarq at 9:44 AM on April 20, 2012