Recent Reviews
Billy Crystal’s memoir named Audiobook of the Year
Stephen King, Donna Tartt and Malcolm Gladwell also win Audies.
Oscar Dystel, publisher of paperback phenoms, dies at 101
As head of Bantam Books, Mr. Dystel rescued his company and helped revolutionize the publishing industry.
‘Next Life Might Be Kinder,’ by Howard Norman
What’s the truth behind the death of a newly married woman who may be haunting her husband?
Kirkus unveils three $50,000 book prizes
Fiction, nonfiction and YA books that receive a Kirkus star are eligible for the new annual awards.
Biography: ‘The Life and Poetry of George Herbert’
John Drury’s “Music at Midnight,” reviewed by Michael Dirda.
Beowulf -- an epic game for the whole family
The guys who brought us the Moby Dick game are taking a stab at the Anglo-Saxon classic.
Fiction: ‘An Untamed State,’ by Roxane Gay
A wealthy Haitian refuses to negotiate with kidnappers, forcing his daughter to pay the price.
Fiction: ‘The Confabulist,’ a novel by Steven Galloway
Is this narrator deluded — or did he really kill Houdini, and twice?
Sarah MacLean picks the best romance novels for June
Books by happily-ever-after experts Kristen Ashley, Sabrina Darby and Dakota Cassidy.
What We’re Reading: Knick Knack PaddyWhack
What are we reading right now? Sarah Vander Schaaf’s 9-year-old wanted a pop up book that mom thought was too young. Ends up it was just right.
Electric Literature relaunches with new mission and new design
Fans always thought of Electric Lit primarily as a literary website. Now it is.
Memoir: ‘Tibetan Peach Pie,’ by Tom Robbins
“A True Account of an Imaginative Life,” by the author of “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.”
Thriller: ‘The Stranger on the Train,’ by Abbie Taylor
A young single mother must fight to find and reclaim her kidnapped baby.
Allan Folsom, author of blockbuster novel, dies at 72
Mr. Folsom received a record payday of $2 million for his first thriller, “The Day After Tomorrow.”
What World War I created — and destroyed
David Reynolds concentrates on what was lost but also gained in politics, literature and economics.
Education in a free, inclusive society
Michael Roth argues that a liberal education cultivates the whole person for the entire life.
Lampooning the lust for a literary prize
In his new novel, Edward St. Aubyn satirizes the backstabbing antics of those in pursuit of literary recognition.
Everything you believe about Tammany Hall is wrong
Terry Golway argues the Democratic organization empowered Irish immigrants and shaped liberalism.
Adam Carolla’s ‘President Me’
Book is his silly, vulgar manifesto against ineptitude, narcissism and political correctness.
Street Smart: What to do in Eastern Market
A quick stroll from the frenzied atmosphere of the nation’s Capitol, Eastern Market is an inviting, verdant and friendly retreat.
Defense of redcoats wins George Washington Book Prize
In a “man bites dog” scenario, U-Va. historian is honored at Mount Vernon for giving British leaders their due.
‘Vanessa: The Life of Vanessa Redgrave,’ by Dan Callahan
In his new book, Dan Callahan looks at the ethereal acting and clumsy crusading of Vanessa Redgrave.
The House of Poe to reopen May 24
The Baltimore landmark offers a chance to see where Poe fell in love with his teenage cousin.
‘The Orenda,’ by Joseph Boyden
An extraordinary novel about 17th-century Europeans and Canada’s indigenous peoples.
The woman lost her soul, Bob got a t-shirt
After being named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in fiction, Bob Shacochis’s novel is getting an early paperback release.
Goodreads wants you to ‘Ask the Author’
A new feature on the social media reading site encourages people to submit questions to their favorite authors.
Book World: Abel Lanzac’s ‘Weapons of Mass Diplomacy’
Abel Lanzac’s graphic novel is a pitch-perfect political satire of the post-9/11 run-up to the Iraq war.
History of American Revolution’s losers wins $50,000
Andrew Jackson O’Shaughnessy’s ‘The Men Who Lost America’ takes home the George Washington Book Prize
Eerie tales of parents and children undone by tragedy
“The Memory Garden,” “The Three” and “Motherless Child” deal with love and loss in the world of sci-fi.
‘The Temporary Gentleman,’ by Sebastian Barry
With the war long over, an Irishman in Africa sets down the harrowing story of his past.
Diehard ‘Godzilla’ fans will devour books about the movie
“Art of Destruction” offers copious filming details; “Godzilla,” an official novelization, comes out Tuesday.
Book World fiction: ‘Team Seven,’ by Marcus Burke
A young black man struggles to understand not only his family but his own self-destructive impulses.
Godzilla stomps into bookstores, too
Readers inspired by Gareth Edwards’s movie can find new books about the big lizard.
‘The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair,’ by Joel Dicker
There is high emotion and energy in this much-hyped thriller.
Alice McDermott on being a novelist and a believer
The National Book Award-winning novelist spoke at the Gaithersburg Book Festival, which attracted a record crowd.
Book briefs
The author and humorist is coming to the National Archives and will host his weekly radio show from Wolf Trap.
Who’ll miss a Red Lobster?
Novelist Stewart O’Nan reacts to the news that Darden will sell almost 700 restaurants at what one investor calls a “fire sale” price.
Washington Post Bestsellers May 25, 2014
The books Washington has been reading.
The best books of 2013
Best in fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels and audio books.
Billy Crystal’s memoir named Audiobook of the Year
Stephen King, Donna Tartt and Malcolm Gladwell also win Audies.
Kirkus unveils three $50,000 book prizes
Fiction, nonfiction and YA books that receive a Kirkus star are eligible for the new annual awards.
Beowulf -- an epic game for the whole family
The guys who brought us the Moby Dick game are taking a stab at the Anglo-Saxon classic.
Biography: ‘The Life and Poetry of George Herbert’
John Drury’s “Music at Midnight,” reviewed by Michael Dirda.
‘Harlequin’s Millions,’ by Bohumil Hrabal
A small masterpiece about old age from one of the greatest Czech writers.
Russell Thorndike’s classic thriller ‘The Slype’
A strange, fantastic thriller, with a tangential link to “Dr. Syn,” reviewed by Michael Dirda.
Lampooning the lust for a literary prize
In his new novel, Edward St. Aubyn satirizes the backstabbing antics of those in pursuit of literary recognition.
Evangelist-in-chief
Randall Balmer contends that Jimmy Carter redeemed the nation from the venality of the Nixon years.
Literary Calendar
Going Out Guide: Upcoming events
Get the latest on readings, signings and author appearances in the D.C. area.
Elsewhere in Entertainment
The Post Most: Entertainment
The top-read stories of the past four hours
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Maya Angelou, writer and poet, dies at age 86 -
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 Conductor Tonu Kaljuste and composer Arvo Part. Photo courtesy of the Kennedy Center..jpg)
Arvo Pärt's music fills Kennedy Center Concert Hall for great free performance -
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Netflix's 'Derek' returns, handled with tender, loving care -
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TV highlights: 'The Sixties' premieres on CNN -
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Richard Pinhas on lessons learned during a lifetime making experimental music
