February 17, 2012 Books Update

On the Cover of Sunday's Book Review 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank' By NATHAN ENGLANDER Reviewed by STACY SCHIFF Nathan Englander's new stories, written with his trademark blend of the breezy and the biblical, are concerned with mercy, vengeance and righteousness. Also in the Book Review 'Girlchild' By TUPELO HASSMAN Reviewed by MEGAN MAYHEW BERGMAN The heroine of this first novel is robbed of her innocence, virginity and chance to make good. 'Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers' By CHARLIE LOUVIN with BENJAMIN WHITMER Reviewed by ALEX ABRAMOVICH The tempestuous story of an inspirational gospel and country duo. ESSAY The Washington Wives' Book Club By PAMELA PAUL Children's literature by women named Gingrich, Cheney and Biden. Could this be an election year? 'Kippenberger: The Artist and His Families' By SUSANNE KIPPENBERGER Translated by DAMION SEARLS Reviewed by ROBERTA SMITH The German artist Martin Kippenberger's hard work and frequent play, seen through the eyes of one of his sisters. 'The Obamas' By JODI KANTOR Reviewed by DOUGLAS BRINKLEY Jodi Kantor examines the relationship between Michelle and Barack Obama and its public consequences. 'Revolution 2.0.: The Power of the People Is Greater Than the People in Power: A Memoir' By WAEL GHONIM Reviewed by JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS How an Egyptian Google executive's Facebook page helped spark a movement.  Up Front READING LIFE Next Time, Try 'Unflagging' By GEOFF DYER "Tireless" and "tirelessly" are words writers seem to use without paying them much attention. 'Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America's Imperial Dream' By GREGG JONES Reviewed by CANDICE MILLARD At the turn of the 20th century, Theodore Roosevelt set out to transform the United States into a major world power. 'Restoration' By OLAF OLAFSSON Reviewed by DAVID LEAVITT A forged Caravaggio is the link between two love triangles in this World War II novel. Fiction Chronicle By ALISON McCULLOCH New novels by David Snodin, Chan Koonchung, Liz Moore, Amy Franklin-Willis and Suzzy Roche. 'Liebestod: Opera Buffa With Leib Goldkorn' By LESLIE EPSTEIN Reviewed by TOM LeCLAIR A centenarian maestro is Leslie Epstein's quixotic hero.