Wallace Public Library

This novel’s protean, real-life heroine starts out as a film sensation in occupied China and ends up in Japanese Parliament.

Liz Robbins, a veteran Times reporter, tells the story of the New York City Marathon.

Recently reviewed books of particular interest.

After his suicide, David Foster Wallace has a book on the list for the first time; John Barth, one of Wallace's forebears, also appears on the list.

Thomas L. Friedman makes the case that green politics are compatible with big business.

Avi Shlaim and Nigel Ashton examine the long, remarkable reign of King Hussein of Jordan.

Alec Baldwin’s attack on the family law system is also a sad memoir of a marriage gone desperately sour.

Elizabeth McCracken’s memoir of a pregnancy gone wrong.

With no faith in an afterlife, why should an agnostic fear death? On this simple question, Barnes hangs an elegant memoir and meditation, full of a novelist’s affection for his characters.

David Lodge’s novel attempts to mine the comic potential of hearing impairment.

Annette Gordon-Reed traces the experiences of this slave family, and their relationship to the Jeffersons, over three generations.

To the Editor:.

To the Editor:.

To the Editor:.

To the Editor:.

According to Linda Robinson’s book on the latest chapter in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus wanted to fight smarter and send more troops.

This week: Alex Kuczynski on Alec Baldwin’s memoir of divorce; Charles McGrath on a Nobel Prize controversy; James Traub on Gen. David Petraeus; and Dwight Garner with best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

There are virtues associated with smallness. It is the realm of elegance and grace. It’s also the realm of perfection.

Paperback books of particular interest.

Wojciech Tochman chronicles the aftermath of war in Bosnia and confirms that the so-called peace has brought little actual peace.