July 27, 2012 Books Update

On the Cover of Sunday's Book Review How to Write By COLSON WHITEHEAD Simple rules for becoming a better writer, from the author of "Zone One." Also in the Book Review How to Write Great By ROGER ROSENBLATT The writers we admire most take life seriously and seek moral truths. How to Write How-To By AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS Gaining failure from experience is preferable to passively acquiring failure from books. How to Cook a Clam By KATE CHRISTENSEN A longtime New Yorker moves to Maine and learns new culinary tricks. 'Yes, Chef' By MARCUS SAMUELSSON Reviewed by CRAIG SELIGMAN Marcus Samuelsson's memoir chronicles his rise from rural Ethiopia to the top of the fine-dining world. 'The Tools' By PHIL STUTZ and BARRY MICHELS Reviewed by CHARLIE RUBIN Two therapists who treat Hollywood screenwriters offer tips for breaking self-destructive habits and getting on with our stalled lives. 'Teach Your Children Well' By MADELINE LEVINE Reviewed by JUDITH WARNER A psychologist in Marin County, Calif., says everything today's parents think they're doing right is actually wrong. 'How to Sharpen Pencils' By DAVID REES Reviewed by BRUCE MCCALL David Rees methodically and gleefully satirizes technical manuals. 'The Candidate' By SAMUEL L. POPKIN Reviewed by NICHOLAS CONFESSORE Samuel L. Popkin, a professor and sometime campaign adviser, has written a kind of management bible for the business of presidential campaigning. 'How to Win an Election' By QUINTUS TULLIUS CICERO. Translated by PHILIP FREEMAN. Reviewed by GARRY WILLS According to this translation, Cicero's younger brother told him to "smear" his political rivals "at every opportunity." Who's the Man? By HENRY ALFORD Two new books about mastering the art of modern manhood. '30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By the Time She's 30' By THE EDITORS OF GLAMOUR and PAMELA REDMOND SATRAN Reviewed by STEPHANIE ZACHAREK Glamour magazine expands a manifesto for women, adding essays by Katie Couric, Maya Angelou and others. 'Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life From Dear Sugar' By CHERYL STRAYED Reviewed by ANNA HOLMES A collection of Cheryl Strayed's online advice columns for The Rumpus. 'Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike' By GRANT PETERSEN Reviewed by DAVE EGGERS A former racer tries to dispel the cult of gear and equipment and return biking to a state of moderation and rationality. 'Shooting Victoria' By PAUL THOMAS MURPHY Reviewed by JOHN SUTHERLAND Paul Thomas Murphy examines the reign of Queen Victoria and the eight attempts that were made on her life between 1840 and 1882. 'The 6.5 Practices of Moderately Successful Poets' By JEFFREY SKINNER Reviewed by KATY LEDERER Jeffrey Skinner blends memoir and self-help in a book about the unexpected turns in the lives of poets.

BEST SELLERS Combined Print & E-Book Fiction Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction Hardcover Fiction Hardcover Nonfiction Paperback Trade Fiction Paperback Mass-Market Fiction Paperback Nonfiction All the Lists Alison Bechdel: By the Book "Harriet the Spy" had the greatest impact on the author of "Are You My Mother?"  By the Book: Archive Back Page How to Blurb and Blurb and Blurb By A. J. JACOBS Let me now praise other people's books. Inside the List By GREGORY COWLES The New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz - his memoir, "Out of the Blue," hits the nonfiction list at No. 13 - learned salsa by dancing with his Puerto Rican grandmother, to Tito Puente records. Editors' Choice Recently reviewed books of particular interest. Paperback Row By IHSAN TAYLOR Paperback books of particular interest. Book Review Podcast This week, Nicholas Confessore talks about "The Candidate," by Samuel L. Popkin; Henry Alford discusses two new books about modern manhood; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host. Burns' Film, Other Projects, to Receive Federal Grants Erica Jong and Others Discuss What Women Really Want From 'Fifty Shades' L.A. Story: Karolina Waclawiak Talks About Her First Novel REVIEWS BY THE TIMES'S CRITICS 'How to Be a Woman' by Caitlin Moran '112 Greene Street' by Jessamyn Fiore 'Bailout' by Neil Barofsky Of Signs, Wonders, Shock and Awe 'Where the Heart Beats' by Kay Larson The Greatness of Grandparents ARCHIVE Crime Columns Children's Books The New York Times Book Review: Back Issues Editor's Note Thanks for taking the time to read this e-mail. Feel free to send feedback; I enjoy hearing your opinions and will do my best to respond. John Williams Books Producer The New York Times on the Web