Washington Area Bestsellers

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Sunday, December 25, 2005

Paperback
Fiction
1
THE BROKER(Dell, $7.99). By John Grisham
The CIA finagles the release of an attorney from federal prison to gain access to a satellite surveillance system.
4
2
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA(Vintage, $14.95)
By Arthur Golden.The celebrated geisha, Sayuri, relates her rise to fame and fortune in 1930s imperial Japan.
6
3
RED LILY(Jove, $7.99). By Nora Roberts
The ghost of the Harper bride becomes malevolent when the current Harper scion finds a new paramour.
3
4
THE KITE RUNNER(Riverhead, $14). By Khaled Hosseini
An Afghan immigrant returns to his Taliban-ruled country in the hope of atoning for a childhood betrayal.
63
5
WICKED: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE WICKED
WITCH OF THE WEST(Regan, $15). By Gregory Maguire
This riff on the "Oz" tales features a misunderstood witch.
18
6
STATE OF FEAR(Avon, $7.99). By Michael Crichton
Eco-terrorists plot to create "natural disasters" in an effort to further their radical agenda.
8
7
PREP(Random House, $13.95). By Curtis Sittenfeld
An Indiana teen enrolls at one of Boston's most exclusive private schools, heightening her already anxious state.
2
8
WHITEOUT(Signet, $7.99). By Ken Follett
The debt-ridden son of a pharmaceutical company's founder burgles the lab, with unforeseen consequences.
8
9
GOING HOME(Silhouette, $7.99). By Nora Roberts
Three novellas reprinted in a new omnibus: "Unfinished Business," "Island of Flowers" and "Mind Over Matter."
3
10
VANISHING ACTS(Washington Square, $14)
By Jodi Picoult.A young woman confronts the painful reality that she was kidnapped as a child by her own father.
4
Nonfiction/General
1
A MILLION LITTLE PIECES(Anchor, $14.95)
By James Frey.A former screenwriter and drug dealer chronicles his addiction and recovery.
13
2
WHY DO MEN HAVE NIPPLES?(Three Rivers, $12.95)
By Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg.Audacious questions to ask your doctor after that third cocktail.
19
3
THE TIPPING POINT: HOW LITTLE THINGS CAN
MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE(Back Bay, $14.95)
By Malcolm Gladwell.A look at fads and their origins.
51
4
BAD CAT: 244 NOT-SO-PRETTY KITTIES AND
CATS GONE BAD(Workman, $9.99). By Jim Edgar
Candid photos of felines acting up and acting out.
35
5
THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY(Vintage, $14.95)
By Erik Larson.Serial killer H.H. Holmes preys on Chicago residents amid the bustle of the 1893 World's Fair.
94
6
BAD DOG: 278 OUTSPOKEN, INDECENT, AND
OVERDRESSED DOGS(Workman, $9.95)
By R.D. Rosen, Harry Prichett and Rob Battles
6
7
HIS EXCELLENCY: GEORGE WASHINGTON
(Vintage, $15). By Joseph J. Ellis.A biography of the statesman from British army soldier to U.S. president.
6
8
SEE NO EVIL: THE TRUE STORY OF A GROUND
SOLDIER IN THE CIA'S WAR ON TERRORISM
(Three Rivers, $14). By Robert Baer.A bungling agency.
2
9
GUNS, GERMS, AND STEEL(Norton, $16.95)
By Jared Diamond.The impact of geography and the environment on the course of civilization.
53
10
IN COLD BLOOD(Vintage, $14). By Truman Capote
Its melding of crime reportage and a novel's structure made this account of a 1959 Kansas murder an instant classic.
9
Hardcover
Fiction
1
MARY, MARY(Little, Brown, $27.95)
By James Patterson.Hollywood's A-list stars look to Alex Cross to protect them from a vicious serial killer.
5
2
S IS FOR SILENCE(Putnam, $26.95). By Sue Grafton
P.I. Kinsey Millhone looks into the case of Violet Sullivan, an impetuous mother who vanished 34 years earlier.
2
3
THE CAMEL CLUB(Warner, $26.95). By David Baldacci
A band of zealous conspiracy theorists stumbles across intrigue after witnessing a murder on Roosevelt Island.
8
4
PREDATOR(Putnam, $26.95). By Patricia Cornwell
Forensic examiner Kay Scarpetta, now based in Florida, is stymied by a series of bizarre slayings and thorny clues.
8
5
THE LIGHTHOUSE(Knopf, $25.95). By P.D. James
Commander Dalgliesh is dispatched to Combe Island, an isolated retreat for the well-to-do, where murder is afoot.
4
6
AT FIRST SIGHT(Warner, $24.95). By Nicholas Sparks
Jeremy Marsh and Lexie Darnell, last seen in Sparks's "True Believer," are coping with the stress of engagement.
8
7
THE DA VINCI CODE(Doubleday, $24.95)
By Dan Brown.Ciphers and riddles impede a symbologist's quest for the Holy Grail and a killer's identity.
91
8
LIGHT FROM HEAVEN(Viking, $26.95). By Jan Karon
Father Tim endeavors to revitalize a long-neglected mountain church in the Mitford Years series' swan song.
6
9
FOREVER ODD(Bantam, $27). By Dean Koontz
Odd Thomas, who can see the dead, is "asked" for help by the ghost of his father's best friend, recently murdered.
3
10
THE CONSTANT PRINCESS(Touchstone, $24.95)
By Philippa Gregory.The rousing tale ofCatalina, who is sent to the English court at age 16 to marry Prince Arthur.
1
Nonfiction/General
1
TEAM OF RIVALS: THE POLITICAL GENIUS OF
ABRAHAM LINCOLN(Simon & Schuster, $35)
By Doris Kearns Goodwin.Presidential finesse.
8
2
TEACHER MAN: A MEMOIR(Scribner, $26)
By Frank McCourt.The author of "Angela's Ashes" recounts his tenure in the NYC public school system.
5
3
THE WORLD IS FLAT: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY(FSG, $27.50)
By Thomas L. Friedman.Globalism's colossal impact.
37
4
1776(Simon & Schuster, $32). By David McCullough
Military campaigns and personal narratives tell the story of the first full year of the American Revolution.
25
5
OUR ENDANGERED VALUES: AMERICA'S MORAL
CRISIS(Simon & Schuster, $25). By Jimmy Carter
Cautioning against religious fundamentalism's influence.
7
6
MARLEY & ME: LIFE AND LOVE WITH THE
WORLD'S WORST DOG(Morrow, $21.95)
By John Grogan.For the love of an unruly Labrador.
2
7
AMAZING PEACE: A CHRISTMAS POEM
(Random House, $9.95). By Maya Angelou.Read at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, Dec. 1, 2005.
2
8
THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING(Knopf, $23.95)
By Joan Didion.A memoir of grief and mourning; winner of the 2005 National Book Award for nonfiction.
11
9
FREAKONOMICS: A ROGUE ECONOMIST EXPLORES
THE HIDDEN SIDE OF EVERYTHING(Morrow, $25.95)
By Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
36
10
THE CITY OF FALLING ANGELS(Penguin Press, $25.95)
By John Berendt.Venice, where the author moved in 1997, is affectionately portrayed here in all its glory and decay.
7

Rankings reflect sales for the week ended December 18, 2005. The charts may not be reproduced without permission from Nielsen BookScan. Copyright 2005 by Nielsen BookScan. (Right-hand column of italicized numbers reflects weeks on this list, which premiered in Book World on Jan. 11, 2004. Advice, reference and self-help books appear on a separate, monthly list.)

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	Paperback
	Fiction
1	THE BROKER(Dell, $7.99). By John Grisham The CIA finagles the release of an attorney from federal prison to gain access to a satellite surveillance system.	4
2	MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA(Vintage, $14.95) By Arthur Golden.The celebrated geisha, Sayuri, relates her rise to fame and fortune in 1930s imperial Japan.	6
3	RED LILY(Jove, $7.99). By Nora Roberts The ghost of the Harper bride becomes malevolent when the current Harper scion finds a new paramour.	3
4	THE KITE RUNNER(Riverhead, $14). By Khaled Hosseini An Afghan immigrant returns to his Taliban-ruled country in the hope of atoning for a childhood betrayal.	63
5	WICKED: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST(Regan, $15). By Gregory Maguire This riff on the "Oz" tales features a misunderstood witch.	18
6	STATE OF FEAR(Avon, $7.99). By Michael Crichton Eco-terrorists plot to create "natural disasters" in an effort to further their radical agenda.	8
7	PREP(Random House, $13.95). By Curtis Sittenfeld An Indiana teen enrolls at one of Boston's most exclusive private schools, heightening her already anxious state.	2
8	WHITEOUT(Signet, $7.99). By Ken Follett The debt-ridden son of a pharmaceutical company's founder burgles the lab, with unforeseen consequences.	8
9	GOING HOME(Silhouette, $7.99). By Nora Roberts Three novellas reprinted in a new omnibus: "Unfinished Business," "Island of Flowers" and "Mind Over Matter."	3
10	VANISHING ACTS(Washington Square, $14) By Jodi Picoult.A young woman confronts the painful reality that she was kidnapped as a child by her own father.	4
	Nonfiction/General
1	A MILLION LITTLE PIECES(Anchor, $14.95) By James Frey.A former screenwriter and drug dealer chronicles his addiction and recovery.	13
2	WHY DO MEN HAVE NIPPLES?(Three Rivers, $12.95) By Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg.Audacious questions to ask your doctor after that third cocktail.	19
3	THE TIPPING POINT: HOW LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE(Back Bay, $14.95) By Malcolm Gladwell.A look at fads and their origins.	51
4	BAD CAT: 244 NOT-SO-PRETTY KITTIES AND CATS GONE BAD(Workman, $9.99). By Jim Edgar Candid photos of felines acting up and acting out.	35
5	THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY(Vintage, $14.95) By Erik Larson.Serial killer H.H. Holmes preys on Chicago residents amid the bustle of the 1893 World's Fair.	94
6	BAD DOG: 278 OUTSPOKEN, INDECENT, AND OVERDRESSED DOGS(Workman, $9.95) By R.D. Rosen, Harry Prichett and Rob Battles	6
7	HIS EXCELLENCY: GEORGE WASHINGTON (Vintage, $15). By Joseph J. Ellis.A biography of the statesman from British army soldier to U.S. president.	6
8	SEE NO EVIL: THE TRUE STORY OF A GROUND SOLDIER IN THE CIA'S WAR ON TERRORISM (Three Rivers, $14). By Robert Baer.A bungling agency.	2
9	GUNS, GERMS, AND STEEL(Norton, $16.95) By Jared Diamond.The impact of geography and the environment on the course of civilization.	53
10	IN COLD BLOOD(Vintage, $14). By Truman Capote Its melding of crime reportage and a novel's structure made this account of a 1959 Kansas murder an instant classic.	9
	Hardcover
	Fiction
1	MARY, MARY(Little, Brown, $27.95) By James Patterson.Hollywood's A-list stars look to Alex Cross to protect them from a vicious serial killer.	5
2	S IS FOR SILENCE(Putnam, $26.95). By Sue Grafton P.I. Kinsey Millhone looks into the case of Violet Sullivan, an impetuous mother who vanished 34 years earlier.	2
3	THE CAMEL CLUB(Warner, $26.95). By David Baldacci A band of zealous conspiracy theorists stumbles across intrigue after witnessing a murder on Roosevelt Island.	8
4	PREDATOR(Putnam, $26.95). By Patricia Cornwell Forensic examiner Kay Scarpetta, now based in Florida, is stymied by a series of bizarre slayings and thorny clues.	8
5	THE LIGHTHOUSE(Knopf, $25.95). By P.D. James Commander Dalgliesh is dispatched to Combe Island, an isolated retreat for the well-to-do, where murder is afoot.	4
6	AT FIRST SIGHT(Warner, $24.95). By Nicholas Sparks Jeremy Marsh and Lexie Darnell, last seen in Sparks's "True Believer," are coping with the stress of engagement.	8
7	THE DA VINCI CODE(Doubleday, $24.95) By Dan Brown.Ciphers and riddles impede a symbologist's quest for the Holy Grail and a killer's identity.	91
8	LIGHT FROM HEAVEN(Viking, $26.95). By Jan Karon Father Tim endeavors to revitalize a long-neglected mountain church in the Mitford Years series' swan song.	6
9	FOREVER ODD(Bantam, $27). By Dean Koontz Odd Thomas, who can see the dead, is "asked" for help by the ghost of his father's best friend, recently murdered.	3
10	THE CONSTANT PRINCESS(Touchstone, $24.95) By Philippa Gregory.The rousing tale ofCatalina, who is sent to the English court at age 16 to marry Prince Arthur.	1
	Nonfiction/General
1	TEAM OF RIVALS: THE POLITICAL GENIUS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN(Simon & Schuster, $35) By Doris Kearns Goodwin.Presidential finesse.	8
2	TEACHER MAN: A MEMOIR(Scribner, $26) By Frank McCourt.The author of "Angela's Ashes" recounts his tenure in the NYC public school system.	5
3	THE WORLD IS FLAT: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY(FSG, $27.50) By Thomas L. Friedman.Globalism's colossal impact.	37
4	1776(Simon & Schuster, $32). By David McCullough Military campaigns and personal narratives tell the story of the first full year of the American Revolution.	25
5	OUR ENDANGERED VALUES: AMERICA'S MORAL CRISIS(Simon & Schuster, $25). By Jimmy Carter Cautioning against religious fundamentalism's influence.	7
6	MARLEY & ME: LIFE AND LOVE WITH THE WORLD'S WORST DOG(Morrow, $21.95) By John Grogan.For the love of an unruly Labrador.	2
7	AMAZING PEACE: A CHRISTMAS POEM (Random House, $9.95). By Maya Angelou.Read at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, Dec. 1, 2005.	2
8	THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING(Knopf, $23.95) By Joan Didion.A memoir of grief and mourning; winner of the 2005 National Book Award for nonfiction.	11
9	FREAKONOMICS: A ROGUE ECONOMIST EXPLORES THE HIDDEN SIDE OF EVERYTHING(Morrow, $25.95) By Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner	36
10	THE CITY OF FALLING ANGELS(Penguin Press, $25.95) By John Berendt.Venice, where the author moved in 1997, is affectionately portrayed here in all its glory and decay.	7