Books Update NYT

November 2, 2012 Books Update

On the Cover of Sunday's Book Review 'There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra' By CHINUA ACHEBE Reviewed by ADAM NOSSITER Chinua Achebe's memoir about the moment when Nigeria split apart at a cost of more than a million lives.  Up Front: Adam Nossiter 'Of Africa' By WOLE SOYINKA Reviewed by ADAM HOCHSCHILD In this volume of sweeping reflections, the playwright and activist Wole Soyinka takes Africa's woes to heart. Also in the Book Review Dennis Lehane: By the Book The author of "Live by Night," "Gone, Baby, Gone" and "Mystic River" says George V. Higgins and Edwin O'Connor have written the best novels about Boston.  By the Book: Archive 'The Story of Ain't' By DAVID SKINNER Reviewed by PATRICIA T. O'CONNER Webster's Third New International was scorned for being less judgmental than its predecessor. 'The Signal and the Noise' By NATE SILVER Reviewed by NOAM SCHEIBER Applying statistical analysis to the past, Nate Silver evaluates the claims of sports pundits, political handicappers and more. 'The Cursing Mommy's Book of Days' By IAN FRAZIER Reviewed by JUDITH NEWMAN Ian Frazier's hard-pressed Cursing Mommy moves from New Yorker columns to a novel of her own. 'The Way the World Works: Essays' By NICHOLSON BAKER Reviewed by JOHN JEREMIAH SULLIVAN In a collection spanning 15 years, Nicholson Baker ponders political controversies, personal intimacies and fascinating obscurities. 'Astray' By EMMA DONOGHUE Reviewed by BROOKE ALLEN Emma Donoghue explores the theme of emigration through historical fiction. 'May We Be Forgiven' By A. M. HOMES Reviewed by GARTH RISK HALLBERG A. M. Homes's dark satire of 21st-century domestic life. Happy Hunting By BILL SCHEFT Steven Rinella's quest for game and Davy Rothbart's search for love. 'Sutton' By J. R. MOEHRINGER Reviewed by ROBERT POLITO A biographical novel of the notorious bank robber Willie Sutton. CRIME Given Up for Dead By MARILYN STASIO In Michael Robotham's "Say You're Sorry," two teenage girls are held captive in a cellar.

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 SKETCHBOOK | GRANT SNIDER Literary Consolation Prizes The Thick Book Award, First Novel Encouragement Stickers and more. Inside the List By GREGORY COWLES Rod Stewart, 67, and the former Kiss drummer Peter Criss, 66, join other grandfathers of rock on the list this week. Editors' Choice Recently reviewed books of particular interest. Paperback Row By IHSAN TAYLOR Paperback books of particular interest. Book Review Podcast This week, Nate Silver talks about his new book, "The Signal and the Noise"; Parul Sehgal discusses publishing news; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host. New Piece Added to Puzzle of Truman Capote's 'Answered Prayers' Mother and Son: Richard Russo Talks About 'Elsewhere' Day-Lewis Gives Parents' Papers to Oxford REVIEWS BY THE TIMES'S CRITICS 'The Twelve' by Justin Cronin 'Thornton Wilder: A Life' by Penelope Niven 'The Fractalist' by Benoit B. Mandelbrot 'Leonardo and 'The Last Supper'' by Ross King 'Waging Heavy Peace' by Neil Young Children's Books: Comfort in the Night 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