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Best Books of 2012

As 2012 draws to a close, many people are reflecting on their lives this past year. And that includes some of the best books they've read.  While it's obviously impossible to read every book that gets published in a given year, here are some of the top critics picks from 2012. Have you read any of these?

"Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity," by Katherine Boo was a top pick for both the New York Times, the Washington Post and USA Today. This is a non-fiction piece, set near Mumbai that focuses on hidden worlds of the twenty-first century and the lives of people who are impossible to forget.

Bring Up the Bodies," by Hilary Mantel was also a favorite amongst those three media moguls. This historical novel is a sequel to the book Wolf Hall. It's the second book in a planned trilogy regarding the rise and fall of  a powerful minister in King Henry XIII's court.

Another New York Times favorite was  "Why Does the World Exist? An Existential Detective Story," by Jim Holt. As the title suggests, this book delves into the philosophic and existential question of why the world and people exist.

Last but certainly not least, "Flight Behavior," by Barbara Kingsolver was a favorite pick of critics at USA Today. This book centers around a woman whose life is changed forever after she has an encounter with butterflies.

What makes a book a best seller? Perhaps it's a combination of uniqueness, appeal to the masses and writing style. Regardless, this short list is certainly not all inclusive of all the wonderful books written in 2012, only a list of a few worth mentioning. Let's see what 2013 brings to the literary world!