Amélie, Amélie
Amélie Nothomb gives that funny thing called "love" a workout in 1989 Japan.
Bad Blood: A Memoir
Lorna Sage's "Bad Blood" should be required reading for today's teen girls.
The Yankee Years
Tom Verducci's baseball book, through Joe Torre, is a fine piece of Americana.
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran
Hooman Madj provides an insightful look into behind-the-headlines Iran.
Jesus’ Son
Johnson's story stories about addiction get under the cuticles of starkness.
Toyko Fiancée
Nothomb's coming-of-age prequel is fun unless you're her Japanese lover.
Wicker chair man
John Updike's greatest accomplishment was making the ordinary vivid.
The Great Gatsby
Fitzgerald's "careless people" are preserved in perfect amber.
Roller coaster
In a wild 2008, the American short story got a boost.
One Life
Tom Lampert lets Nazi-era "normalcy" damn itself.
Beautiful tracks
Paul Theroux is back with intent to dazzle. And he does in "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star."