Walter Isaacson's biography of the iconic Steve Jobs tops Maria Popova's list of best biographies and memoirs of 2011, but her other choices are not as obvious. She also picks biographies of author Kurt Vonnegut and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards for their portrayals of success despite personal challenges. An artful rendition of Marie Curie's life and Nicholas Felton's annual report of minutia also make the cut.