From foreign films to home-grown musical acts, the best movies, books and albums of 2011, as selected by Vineyard experts, are sure to keep Islanders entertained through the winter.

“It was a great year to be a reader,” West Tisbury librarian Beth Kramer wrote in an e-mail to the Gazette. Her choices for the year may be from different genres, but all are, said Ms. Kramer, “beautifully rendered tales that took you around the world and deep into the hearts of their characters.” Her list follows.

This Life Is in Your Hands: One Dream, Sixty Acres, and a Family Undone, Melissa Coleman.

Hand Me Down World: A Novel, Lloyd Jones.

The Sense of an Ending, Julian Barnes.

State of Wonder, Ann Patchett.

The Forgotten Waltz, Anne Enright.

The Cat’s Table, Michael Ondaatje.

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, David McCullough.

Caleb’s Crossing, Geraldine Brooks.

Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness, Alexandra Fuller.

Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War, Tony Horwitz.

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Though Anne Evasick and Jamie Alley at Island Entertainment in Vineyard Haven spend most of their time dealing in videos, they fit in theatrical releases as well. Their best-of list spans both categories, and includes everything from documentaries to Harry Potter to Indie Australian films.

In no particular order:

The Artist (in select theatres). “The best movie I saw all year,” said Ms. Evasick.

The Help (available On Demand and through Amazon video).

Marwencol (available on DVD).

My Afternoons with Margueritte (available on DVD).

Buck (available on DVD).

The last two Harry Potter movies (both available on DVD).

Being Elmo (in select theatres).

Beginners (available on DVD).

Holst: In the Bleak Midwinter (available on DVD).

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls (available on DVD).

Get Low (available on DVD).

Win Win (available on DVD). “A great small movie; really well-acted story,” said Mr. Alley.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (available on DVD).

Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (available on DVD).

I Love You Philip Morris (available on DVD).

Nostalgia for the Light (available on DVD).

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Mike Barnes of Aboveground Records came up with his list based on “things that I would play in the store.” Mr. Barnes spotlighted the Island music scene, with the lone nonlocal on the list coming in the form of Adele. His list with comments by him follows.

We’ll Be Alright, Nina Violet. “Sold out of that before Christmas, she worked really hard at it and it shows.”

Red Flags, Erich Luening. “Who doesn’t love Erich Luening?”

The Loogies, The Loogies. “Straight ahead good rock-and-roll, one I couldn’t stop listening to.”

Singing Partner, Adam Lipsky. “Adam is a musical genius. His stuff is on another level.”

Astral Sass, Drawing Guts. “It’s an album that tells a story. If you’re into spies and danger, this one is for you.”

21, Adele. “In a world where not everybody agrees on stuff, it’s something you can put on and play for a crowd.”

Thru the Glass, Ernie Dewing. “A Chappaquiddick guy done good.”

Your Special Touch, John Alaimo. “It just works in many different environments.”

Shake the Baron, Shake the Baron. “Whether it’s in New York city or Martha’s Vineyard, it fits in.”

Whirl and Twirl, Joe Keenan. “Not just songs about boats.”

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And for those interested in the nonlocal beats, DJ Di (Diana Reilly) offers her choices for best artists of 2011:

Sofrito Soundsystem.

Maya Jane Coles.

Psychemagik.

Monkey Safari.

Mumdance.