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. --David Pitt