Books Update NYT

September 21, 2012
Books Update


On the Cover of Sunday's Book Review

'This Is How You Lose Her'
By JUNOT DIAZ
Reviewed by LEAH HAGER COHEN


Junot Díaz's new collection of stories features a familiar character, Yunior, and themes of family history, cultural mores and romantic infidelity.


Also in the Book Review

Emma Thompson: By the Book


The actress and author of a new children's book, "The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit," has contemplated throwing the writer Michel Houellebecq across a room.
By the Book: Archive

'Battleborn'
By CLAIRE VAYE WATKINS
Reviewed by ANTONYA NELSON


Claire Vaye Watkins's stories show a concern for knowing the past and surviving the present.
ArtsBeat Q. and A.: Claire Vaye Watkins

'From the Ruins of Empire'
By PANKAJ MISHRA
Reviewed by HARI KUNZRU


Pankaj Mishra's group portrait of the thinkers whose ideas shaped contemporary China, India and the Muslim world.

'NW'
By ZADIE SMITH
Reviewed by ANNE ENRIGHT


Zadie Smith's novel presents characters of varying (and sometimes mixed) races, ethnic groups and classes.

'All Gone'
By ALEX WITCHEL
Reviewed by MAGGIE SCARF


Alex Witchel describes how her vibrant mother's personality vanished despite her robust body.

'The Cocktail Waitress'
By JAMES M. CAIN
Reviewed by MICHAEL CONNELLY


A "lost" novel by James M. Cain, the author of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Double Indemnity."

'The Longest Way Home'
By ANDREW McCARTHY
Reviewed by CHERYL STRAYED


The actor and travel writer Andrew McCarthy takes a deeply personal journey amid some of the world's most far-flung places.

'How Music Works'
By DAVID BYRNE
Reviewed by JOHN ROCKWELL


Though not strictly a memoir, David Byrne's book about music explores his own personal and professional experiences.

Nonfiction Chronicle
By ABIGAIL MEISEL


New books by Guy Gugliotta, Janet Groth, Siri Hustvedt and Bryan Sykes.


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

Back Page

Growing Up Together
By PERRI KLASS


Slightly below the radar, the Betsy-Tacy children's book series has captivated generations of fans.

Inside the List
By GREGORY COWLES


"The Price of Politics" by Bob Woodward lands at No. 2 on the nonfiction list this week, and now all 17 of his books have been hardcover best sellers.

Editors' Choice


Recently reviewed books of particular interest.

Paperback Row
By IHSAN TAYLOR


Paperback books of particular interest.

Book Review Podcast


This week, Junot Díaz talks about "This Is How You Lose Her"; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; Alex Witchel discusses her memoir "All Gone"; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.




Stephen King's 'Misery' Back From the Dead in Bucks County

Elmore Leonard to Be Honored by National Book Foundation

Audio Project Offers Four Months of 'Moby-Dick'

REVIEWS BY THE TIMES'S CRITICS

'This Is How You Lose Her'

'Life After Death' by Damien Echols

'The Scientists' by Marco Roth

'Joseph Anton' by Salman Rushdie

'Winter of the World' by Ken Follett

Two or Three Cats

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