Arts and Living

12 p.m.
The Year's Best Releases
Tues., Dec. 15: Discuss the top books, gift ideas with our editors.
Blog: Short Stack
Blog: Short Stack
Book World weighs in on news, book gossip, history and more.

In "A Good Fall," Ha Jin turns a new prism on the question of freedom, showing that life in a foreign culture may be the most isolating situation.

 

Book World Voices

 
Carolyn See

"The Lexicographer's Dilemma"
(Jonathan Yardley is off this week.)

 
 
Ron Charles

"Reading Jesus"
(Follow Ron Charles on Twitter.)



Critics' Picks

Recommended Reading

Book World presents its list of good books, including Timothy Egan's "The Big Burn."

    12 p.m.
    Live Discussion
    Tues., Dec. 15: Discuss the best books of '09 and gift ideas with the Book World editors.
     

Fiction

Drowning out the sounds of war

Set in England at the onset of World War II, Alexander McCall Smith's new tale is a metaphor for the transformative power of music.

Society & Culture

They got the beat

Revealing profiles of Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard will have you saying "Goodness, gracious" and "Good golly." | Read an excerpt of 'Little Richard' | Read an excerpt of 'Jerry Lee Lewis'

Politics

Spin you can believe in

Barack Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe shares his recipes for success in "The Audacity to Win."

Reviews

Coming to Style: Nov. Dec. 7-12

Nonfiction

Coming to Outlook: Sun., Dec. 13

  • The oystermen's livelihood is clamming up.
  • A fresh look at the short story master Raymond Carver.
  • Four generals consider the future of the army.
  • Larry Bird and Magic Johnson look back on their game.
  • And discover the best books of the year in a special pull-out issue of Book World.
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