Recordpub.com - One for the Books: Historical thrillers

In 1988, a novel was published that combined fact and fiction, multiple settings of time and place, real historical figures and imaginary characters, and several stories within a story. "The Eight" by Katherine Neville basically spawned a new genre of historical thriller. A host of authors have taken her format and run with it, including the others in this column and one of today's most successful writers, Dan Brown,* author of "The Da Vinci Code."

Neville's book was remarkable -- one of the best I've ever read. After 20 years, she has finally written a sequel. "The Fire" picks up some of the first novel's characters and re-starts "the Game," a living chess match filled with word games, number puzzles, riddles, symbols and, ultimately, one of mankind's most-desired secrets. The action takes place on several continents and involves the search for missing pieces of a jeweled chess service that once belonged to Charlemagne. The characters are Russian, American, British, Arabian, Italian, French and probably more, with names such as Xie, Nim, Key and Cat.

The plot is complicated, but accessible. The writing style is reader-friendly, and I enjoyed the author's sophisticated knowledge of chess and her ability to compare the game to life. But the characters' motivation seems strangely absent to me. The plot's pace is inconsistent; there were moments when I was tired of all the exposition, and then suddenly it would come to life again and I couldn't put it down. The reader really has to commit to the book: Dive into it wholeheartedly and allow yourself to believe, and you're in for a really rich adventure. In the end, I think quite a few things are left hanging. But maybe that means there will be another sequel. I'd read it.

The chess theme is used again in "Cabal of the Westford Knight: Templars at the Newport Tower" by David S. Brody, a novel based on actual archaeological evidence found all over New England. This turned out to be one of the best reads ever! I am, in fact, crowning it the deserved sequel to "The Da Vinci Code," as it continues some of the same subjects into America. It contains ideas as powerful and controversial as those of the DVC, and as believable -- or not. And it's riveting. (Both authors are D.B. -- hmm ... has anyone ever seen them together?)

In the story, a bully tries to force an elderly couple to sell him their home. Lawyer Cameron Thorne intervenes and finds himself caught up in the middle of a treasure hunt involving pre-Columbian exploration of North America, the Knights Templar, the Bible, Freemasons, Indian legend, nature lore, symbols, murder and church cover-up. It all has to do with Prince Henry, who came to America from Scotland in the 1300s. The evidence is documented; the author shows photos with comprehensible explanations, Web sites and references for further investigation. (In a final author's note, he explains the few parts he invented.) In the end, I couldn't tell precisely where the truth veered into fantasy, because it all sounded so persuasive. It's an absolutely first-class, jaw-dropping, blue-ribbon, brass-band winner. A portion of the book's sales will go to research into pre-Columbian exploration of North America.

"The Charlemagne Pursuit" by Steve Berry continues the adventures of Cotton Malone, an ex-U.S. Justice Department agent. Malone's father died in a Navy submarine on a top-secret mission under the Antarctic ice in 1971, but the government lied to the families of the men on board. Malone is now discovering the truth, which involves a 1,200-year-old book written in the "language of heaven" and found in Charlemagne's tomb, a World War II Nazi Antarctic expedition, and rumors of an advanced civilization that existed 50,000 years ago. There are good and evil twins, murder, double-dealing, mythology and medieval history.

I read it in one day; I loved the unique premise, and what a great story! (Not to give anything away, but I did not buy the deaths at the end.) This author knows what he's doing, and he gets better with each book. This is my favorite of Berry's so far -- maybe because of the subject. "The Da Vinci Code" has nothing on this book! It's a good, solid thriller that will take you somewhere you never imagined before, so strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.

In "The Memorist," author M.J. Rose follows the themes of her best-selling "The Reincarnationist." Most of the book is set in Vienna and features past-life regression, murder and betrayal, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Meer Logan has always had odd spells she refers to as "the dreads." As a child, she drew images of an "illusory treasure chest" over and over, and she associates the box with the music she "hears" just before the dreads take over. She calls the attacks pseudomemories, refusing to believe they have anything to do with a past life. But the music, her memories -- it all relates to Beethoven and 1814 Vienna. The premise: Certain sound frequencies, such as musical notes, can "induce the states of consciousness necessary for (people) to remember previous lives." And one way to do this is to use memory tools, including a "dangerous" memory flute. Are Meer's flashes evidence of reincarnation? Is a young boy's frozen lack of response to his surroundings a "past life break"? Will the memory flute cause untold suffering and chaos? While I believe the author's premise is correct, that certain sounds or images (or scents) can trigger past-life memories (or at least images that seem to be from a past life), I still don't agree that those memories will be disastrous and lead to personal ruin. But it makes another good, action-packed story.

*Speaking of "The Da Vinci Code," author Dan Brown's newest book, "The Lost Symbol," is (finally!) slated to be published Sept. 15.

For best-seller lists and book news, go to www.recordpub.com, click on "News" in the menu bar, then "Lifetimes," and find "One for the Books" online. And for inspiration, visit my blog: "Shine A Light," at http://blogs.dixcdn.com/shine_a_light

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BOOK NOTES, One for the Books Extra Online Exclusives

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Check out my new blog on books, inspiration, fun and thought-provoking goodies! It’s called “Shine A Light!”

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LOCAL BOOK CLUBS:

The Book Discussion Group at the Randolph Library meets the first Monday of the month, except August, at 6:30 p.m. in the Randolph Senior Center. The group is open to everyone, and new members are always welcome. The library will stock copies of the books each month. Call the library at 330-325-7003.

Pierce-Streetsboro Library’s Book Discussion Group meets regularly on the second Monday of each month at 6:45 p.m. in the library’s meeting room. New members are always welcome to attend and participate in the discussion. The library is located at 8990 Kirby Lane in Streetsboro, next to the administrative offices of the Streetsboro City Schools. For more information, call the library at 330-626-4458.

The Book Discussion Group at the Mogadore Branch of the Akron-Summit County Library, 144 S. Cleveland Ave., 330-628-9228, meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays to discuss books as follows:

May 6: Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
May 20: Caesar: Let the Dice Fly by Colleen McCullough
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From Shelf Awareness
New Titles Out April 21:

First Family by David Baldacci
Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress by Lee Woodruff and Bob Woodruff
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith
Shadows Still Remain: A Novel by Peter De Jonge
The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval
Deadlock by Iris Johansen
The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business by Tara Hunt

Now in paperback:

Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin

New Books Out Next WeekApril 28:

Home Safe: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg
Mr. and Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels
Rogue Forces by Dale Brown
Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
Crystal Clear: The Inspiring Story of How an Olympic Athlete Lost His Legs Due to Crystal Meth and Found a Better Life by Eric Le Marque and Davin Seay
Promises I Made My Mother by Sam Haskell and David Rensin

Now in paperback:

Vision in White (The Wedding Quartet, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
Guinness World Records 2009
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan
Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos
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Publishers Weekly Best Sellers -- Books
By The Associated Press

HARDCOVER FICTION
1. “Just Take My Heart” by Mary Higgins Clark (Simon & Schuster)
2. “Look Again” by Lisa Scottoline (St. Martin’s Press)
3. “Turn Coat: A Novel of the Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher (Roc)
4. “Long Lost” Harlan Coben (Dutton Adult)
5. “The Host” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown)
6. “The Associate” by John Grisham (Doubleday)
7. “Handle with Care: A Novel” by Jodi Picoult (Atria)
8. “BeneMan’s Daughter” by Ted Dekker (Center Street)
9. “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows (Dial)
10. “Fatally Flaky” by Diane Mott Davidson (William Morrow)
11. “Prayers for Sale” by Sandra Dallas (St. Martin’s Press)
12. “Perfect Fifths” by Megan McCafferty (Crown)
13. “Cursed” by Carol Higgins Clark (Scribner)
14. “Malice” by Lisa Jackson (Kensington)
15. “True Detectives” by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books)

HARDCOVER NONFICTION
1. “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment” by Steve Harvey (Amistad)
2. “Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto” by Mark R. Levin (Threshold Editions)
3. “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” by Michael J. Fox (Hyperion)
4. “Mommywood” by Tori Spelling (Simon Spotlight Entertainment)
5. “The Carrot Principle: How the Best Managers Use Recognition to Engage Their People, Retain Talent, and Accelerate Performance” by Adrian Gostick, Chester Elton (Free Press)
6. “Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown)
7. “Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!” by Jillian Michaels and Mariska van Aalst (Crown)
8. “Columbine” by Dave Cullen (Old Street Publishing)
9. “House of Cards” by William D. Cohan (Doubleday)
10. “Just When I Thought I’d Dropped My Last Egg” by Kathie Lee Gifford (Ballantine Books)
11. “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne (Atria Books/Beyond Words)
12. “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow (Hyperion)
13. “The Yankee Years” by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci (Doubleday)
14. “Might as Well Laugh About it Now” by Marie Osmond, Marcia Wilkie (NAL Hardcover)
15. “A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity” by Bill O’Reilly (Broadway)

MASS MARKET PAPERBACKS
1. “Angels & Demons” by Dan Brown (Pocket)
2. “Tribute” by Nora Roberts (Jove)
3. “Where Are You Now?” by Mary Higgins Clark (Pocket)
4. “Nothing to Lose” by Lee Child (Dell)
5. “From Dead to Worse” by Charlaine Harris (Ace)
6. “Montana Creeds: Tyler” by Linda Lael Miller (HQN)
7. “Twenty Wishes” by Debbie Macomber (Mira)
8. “Shadow of Power” by Steve Martini (Harper)
9. “The Whole Truth” by David Baldacci (Vision)
10. “The Choice” by Nicholas Sparks (Vision)
11. “Hold Tight” by Harlan Coben (Signet)
12. “The Immortal Hunter” by Lynsay Sands (Avon)
13. “The Secret Wedding” by Jo Beverly (Signet)
14. “Then Comes Seduction” by Mary Balogh (Dell)
15. “Up Close and Personal” by Fern Michaels (Zebra)

TRADE PAPERBACKS
1. “The Shack” by William P. Young (Windblown Media)
2. “City of Thieves” by David Benioff (Plume)
3. “Hungry Girl: 200 recipes Under 200 calories” by Lisa Lillien (St. Martin’s Griffin)
4. “7th Heaven” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Grand Central Publishing)
5. “The Middle Place” by Kelly Corrigan (Voice)
6. “Three Cups Of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Penguin)
7. “Firefly Lane” by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Griffin)
8. “Unaccustomed Earth: Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri (Vintage)
9. “Eat This, Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide” by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding (Rodale Books)
10. “The Reader” by Bernhard Schlink (Vintage)
11. “Naturally Thin” Bethenny Frankel, Eve Adamson (Fireside)
12. “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel (Workman Publishing Group)
13. “Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10” by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson (Little, Brown)
14. “Sundays At Tiffany’s” by James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet (Grand Central Publishing)
15. “Watchmen” by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons (DC Comics)
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Wall Street Journal Best Sellers-Books
By The Associated Press

FICTION
1. “Eclipse” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
2. “Breaking Dawn” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
3. “Look Again” by Lisa Scottoline (St. Martin’s Press)
4. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw” by Jeff Kinney (Amulet)
5. “Just Take My Heart” by Mary Higgins Clark (Simon & Schuster)
6. “Turn Coat: A Novel of the Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher (Roc)
7. “Long Lost” Harlan Coben (Dutton Adult)
8. “Bloodhound” by Tamora Pierce (Random House Books for Young Readers )
9. “Prayers for Sale” by Sandra Dallas (St. Martin’s Press)
10. “The Host” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown and Company)
11. “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
12. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” by Jeff Kinney (Amulet)
13. “New Moon” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
14. “Max” by James Patterson (Little, Brown and Company)
15. “Hunted” by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (St. Martin’s Press)

NONFICTION
1. “Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto” by Mark R. Levin (Threshold Editions)
2. “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment” by Steve Harvey (Amistad)
3. “Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown)
4. “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” by Michael J. Fox (Hyperion)
5. “Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!” by Jillian Michaels and Mariska van Aalst (Crown)
6. “Mommywood” by Tori Spelling (Simon Spotlight Entertainment)
7. “The Carrot Principle: How the Best Managers Use Recognition to Engage Their People, Retain Talent, and Accelerate Performance” by Adrian Gostick, Chester Elton (Free Press)
8. “Columbine” by Dave Cullen (Twelve)
9. “Eight Little Faces” by Kate Gosselin (Zondervan)
10. “StrengthsFinder 2.0: A New and Upgraded Edition of the Online Test from Gallup’s Now, Discover Your Strengths” by Tom Rath (Gallup Press)
11. “House of Cards” by William D. Cohan (Doubleday)
12. “Ultimate Depression Survival Guide: Protect Your Savings, Boost Your Income, and Grow Wealthy Even in the Worst of Times” by Martin D. Weiss (Wiley)
13. “Miles to Go” by Miley Cyrus and Hilary Liftin (Disney Hyperion)
14. “Twilight: Director’s Notebook” by Catherine Hardwicke (Little, Brown for Young Readers)
15. “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow (Hyperion)
The Wall Street Journal’s list reflects nationwide sales of hardcover books during the week ended last Saturday at more than 2,500 Barnes & Noble, B. Dalton, Bookland, Books-a-Million, Books & Co., Bookstar, Bookstop, Borders, Brentano’s, Coles, Coopersmith, Doubleday, Scribners and Waldenbooks stores, as well as sales from online retailers Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
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USA Today Best Sellers-Books
By The Associated Press
Key: F-Fiction; NF-Nonfiction; H-Hardcover; P-Paperback

1. “New Moon” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (F-P)
2. “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (F-P)
3. “Eclipse” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (F-H)
4. “Breaking Dawn” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (F-H)
5. “Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto” by Mark R. Levin (Threshold Editions) (NF-H)
6. “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment” by Steve Harvey (Amistad) (NF-H)
7. “The Shack” by William P. Young (Windblown Media) (F-P)
8. “Tribute” by Nora Roberts (Jove) (F-P)
9. “Angels & Demons” by Dan Brown (Pocket) (F-P)
10. “Hungry Girl: 200 recipes Under 200 calories” by Lisa Lillien (St. Martin’s Griffin) (NF-P)
11. “Where Are You Now?” Mary Higgins Clark (Pocket) (F-P)
12. “Just Take My Heart” by Mary Higgins Clark (Simon & Schuster) (F-H)
13. “7th Heaven” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Grand Central Publishing) (F-P)
14. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw” by Jeff Kinney (Amulet) (F-H)
15. “City of Thieves” by David Benioff (Plume) (F-P)
16. “Up Close and Personal” by Fern Michaels (Zebra) (F-P)
17. “Montana Creeds: Tyler” by Linda Lael Miller (HQN) (F-P)
18. “The Host” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown) (F-H)
19. “Look Again” by Lisa Scottoline (St. Martin’s Press) (F-H)
20. “Twenty Wishes” by Debbie Macomber (Mira) (F-P)
21. “The Love Dare” by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick (B&H) (NF-P)
22. “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” by Michael J. Fox (Hyperion) (NF-H)
23. “Twilight: Director’s Notebook” by Catherine Hardwicke (Little, Brown for Young Readers) (NF-H)
24. “Three Cups Of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Penguin) (NF-P)
25. “The Choice” by Nicholas Sparks (Vision) (F-P)
26. “Turn Coat: A Novel of the Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher (Roc) (F-H)
27. “From Dead to Worse” by Charlaine Harris (Ace) (F-P)
28. “Mommywood” by Tori Spelling (Simon Spotlight Entertainment) (F-H)
29. “The Middle Place” by Kelly Corrigan (Voice) (NF-P
30. “Hunted” by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (St. Martin’s Press) (F-H)
31. “Marked” by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast (St. Martin’s Griffin) (F-P)
32. “Night World No. 3: Huntress, Black Dawn, Witchlight” by L.J. Smith (Simon Pulse) (F-P)
33. “Long Lost” Harlan Coben (Dutton Adult) (F-H)
34. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney (Amulet) (F-H)
35. “Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown) (NF-H)
36. “Nothing to Lose” by Lee Child (Dell) (F-P)
37. “The Carrot Principle: How the Best Managers Use Recognition to Engage Their People, Retain Talent, and Accelerate Performance” by Adrian Gostick, Chester Elton (Free Press) (NF-H)
38. “Max: A Maximum Ride Novel” by James Patterson (Little, Brown and Company) (F-H)
39. “Eat This Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution” by David Zinczenko, Matt Goulding (Rodale Press) (NF-P)
40. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” by Jeff Kinney (Amulet Books) (F-H)
41. “Firefly Lane” by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Griffin) (F-P)
42. “The Inn at Eagle Point” by Sherryl Woods (Mira) (F-P)
43. “Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!” by Jillian Michaels and Mariska van Aalst (Crown) (NF-H)
44. “The Reader” by Bernhard Schlink (Vintage) (F-P)
45. “Then Comes Seduction” by Mary Balogh (Dell) (F-P)
46. “Betrayed” by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast (St. Martin’s Griffin) (F-P)
47. “The Immortal Hunter” by Lynsay Sands (Avon) (F-P)
48. “Unaccustomed Earth” by Jhumpa Lahiri (Vintage) (F-P)
49. “Bloodhound: The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 2” by Tamora Pierce (Random House Books for Young Readers) (F-H)
50. “Certain Girls” by Jennifer Weiner (Washington Square Press) (F-P)

Reporting stores include: Amazon.com, B. Dalton Bookseller, Barnes & Noble.com, Barnes & Noble Inc., Books-A-Million and Bookland, Booksamillion.com, Borders Books & Music, Bookstar, Bookstop, Brentano’s, Davis Kidd Booksellers in Nashville, Jackson, Memphis, Tenn., Doubleday Book Shops, Hudson Booksellers, Joseph-Beth Booksellers (Lexington, Ky.; Cincinnati, Cleveland), Powell’s Books (Portland, Ore.), Powells.com, R.J. Julia Booksellers (Madison, Conn.), Schuler.
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The following authors are making the media rounds, talking about their books:

--Bob Barker, Priceless Memories
--Tom Bergeron, I'm Hosting as Fast as I Can! Zen and the Art of Staying Sane in Hollywood
--William Cohan, House of Cards: A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street
--Bart Ehrman, Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (And Why We Don't Know About Them)
--Anthony Bourke and John Rendall, authors of A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond between Two Friends and a Lion
--Wangari Maathai, The Challenge for Africa
--Cliff Sloan, The Great Decision: Jefferson, Adams, Marshall, and the Battle for the Supreme Court
--James Carroll, Practicing Catholic
--Nandan Nilekani, Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation
--Dan Buettner, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest
--Nancy O'Dell, Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant
--Dr. Laura Schlessinger, In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
--Mark Waldman, How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist
--Marlee Matlin, author of I'll Scream Later
--Beth Kobliner, author of Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance In Your Twenties and Thirties
--Quinn Bradlee, author of A Different Life: Growing Up Learning Disabled and Other Adventures
--Michelle Goldberg, author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power, and the Future of the World
--Mark Bittman, author of Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 Recipes
--Dana Canedy, author of A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor
--Tony Dungy, author of Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance
--Tori Spelling, author of Mommywood
--Kristin Chenoweth, author of A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages
--Jim Karas, author of The 7-Day Energy Surge
--Terry Murphy, author of Life in Rewind: The Story of a Young Courageous Man Who Persevered Over OCD and the Harvard Doctor Who Broke All the Rules to Help Him
--Donald Trump, author of Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education in Business and Life
--Kathie Lee Gifford, author of Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities
--Suzy Welch, author of 10-10-10: A Life-Transforming Idea
--Ron Darling, author of The Complete Game: Reflections on Baseball, Pitching, and Life on the Mound
--Susie Orbach, author of Bodies: Big Ideas/Small Books
--Bill Scheft, Everything Hurts
--Raymond Arsenault, The Sound of Freedom: Marian Anderson, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Concert That Awakened America
--Andrei Codrescu, author of The Posthuman Dada Guide: Tzara and Lenin Play Chess
--Leslie Gelb, author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy
--Chesa Boudin, Gringo: A Coming of Age in Latin America
--Marie Osmond, Might As Well Laugh About It Now
--Quinn Bradlee, A Different Life: Growing Up Learning Disabled and Other Adventures
--Ted Dekker, BoneMan's Daughters
-- Alan Huffman, author of Sultana: Surviving the Civil War, Prison, and the Worst Maritime Disaster in American History
--Jim Lehrer, author of Oh, Johnny
--Don Rickles, author of Rickles' Letters
--Craig Yoe, author of Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-creator Joe Shuster
--Steve Harvey, author of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
--Dan Clark, author of Gladiator: A True Story of 'Roids, Rage, and Redemption
--Abdellah Taïa, Salvation Army
--Thomas Buergenthal, A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy
--Christopher Hitchens, author of God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
--Concetta Bertoldi, Do Dead People Walk Their Dogs? Questions You'd Ask a Medium If You Had the Chance
--Jim Karas, The 7-Day Energy Surge
--Terry Weible Murphy, Life in Rewind: The Story of a Young Courageous Man Who Persevered Over OCD and the Harvard Doctor Who Broke All the Rules to Help Him
--Can Xue, Five Spice Street
--Evan Wright, Hella Nation: Looking for Happy Meals in Kandahar, Rocking the Side Pipe, Wingnut's WarAgainst the GAP, and Other Adventures with the Totally Lost Tribes of America
--Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Class with the Countess: How to Live with Elegance and Flair
--Ron Darling, The Complete Game: Reflections on Baseball, Pitching, and Life on the Mound
--Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone
--Ramit Sethi, I Will Teach You To Be Rich
--Gwen Ifill, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama
--Jonah Lehrer, author of How We Decide
--Monica Seles, author of Getting a Grip: On My Body, My Mind, My Self
--Charles Grodin, author of How I Got to Be Whoever It Is I Am
--Mahmood Mamdani, author of Saviors and Survivors: Darfur, Politics, and the War on Terror
--Jeff Guinn, author of Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde
--Nonie Darwish, author of Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law
--Joel Rosenberg, author of Inside the Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus are Battling to Dominate the Middle East and Transform the World
--Paul Escott, author of What Shall We Do with the Negro?: Lincoln, White Racism, and Civil War America
--Azadeh Moaveni, author of Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran
--Thomas Woods, author of Meltdown: A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make Things Worse
-- Lisa Lillien, Hungry Girl 200 Under 200: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories
--Dara Torres, author of Age is Just a Number: Achieve Your Dreams At Any Stage In Your Life
--Sophie Uliano, The Gorgeously Green Diet: How to Live Lean and Green
--Mary Ann Zoellner and Alicia Ybarbo, authors of Today's Moms: Essentials for Surviving Baby's First Year
--Ahmed Rashid, Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia
--Robert Goolrick, A Reliable Wife
--Lee Woodruff, Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress
--Mario Batali, author of Spain . . . A Culinary Road Trip
--Steve Lopez, author of The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music
--Alec Russell, author of Bring Me My Machine Gun: The Battle for the Soul of South Africa, from Mandela to Zuma
--Trisha Meili, author of I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility
--Dave Cullen, author of Columbine
--Brad O'Leary, author of Shut Up, America!: The End of Free Speech
--Reza Aslan, author of How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror
--Jean M. Twenge, author of The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement
--Candy Spelling, author of Stories from Candyland
--Chris Bohjalian, author of Skeletons at the Feast
--Emily Yellin, author of Your Call Is (Not That) Important to Us: Customer Service and What It Reveals About Our World and Our Lives
--George Soros, author of The New Paradigm for Financial Markets: The Credit Crisis of 2008 and What It Means
--Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President
--Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, author of This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President
--Monica Seles, Getting a Grip: On My Body, My Mind, My Self
--Reza Aslan, How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror
--Alec Russell, author of Bring Me My Machine Gun: The Battle for the Soul of South Africa, from Mandela to Zuma
--Bob Barker, Priceless Memories
--Marc Blatte, Humpty Dumpty Was Pushed
--Lee Woodruff, Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress
--Michael J. Fox, Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist
--Dr. Jean M. Twenge, The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement
--Candy Spelling, Stories from Candyland
--Suzy Welch, 10-10-10: A Life-Transforming Idea
--Judith Wright, author of The Soft Addiction Solution
--Jeff Yang, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology
--George Soros, The Crash of 2008 and What it Means: The New Paradigm for Financial Markets
--Rich Lowry, Banquo's Ghosts
--Mike Krzyzewski, The Gold Standard: Building a World-Class Team
--Wangari Maathai, The Challenge for Africa
--Craig Yoe, author of Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-creator Joe Shuster
--Concetta Bertoldi, author of Do Dead People Walk Their Dogs?: Questions You'd Ask a Medium If You Had the Chance
--Brooke Shields, It's the Best Day Ever, Dad!
--Kristin Chenoweth, author of A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages
--Rupert Isaacson, author of The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son
--David Benioff, City of Thieves
--Scott Palmer, author of First Comes Love, Then Comes Money: A Couple's Guide to Financial Communication
--Scott Uehlein, author of Canyon Ranch: Nourish: Indulgently Healthy Cuisine
--Joanna Scott, author of Follow Me
--Tori Murden McClure, author of A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean
--Michael Gates Gill, author of How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else
--Charles Grodin, author of How I Got to Be Whoever It Is I Am
--Philip Alcabes, author of Dread: How Fear and Fantasy have Fueled Epidemics from the Black Death to the Avian Flu
--Alec Greven, How to Talk to Moms
--Leslie Gelb, Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy
--Gail Simmons, author of Food & Wine Quick from Scratch Chicken
--Bethenny Frankel, author of Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting
--Jodi Lipper, author of How to Love Like a Hot Chick: The Girlfriend to Girlfriend Guide to Getting the Love You Deserve
--Quinn Bradlee, author of A Different Life: Growing Up Learning Disabled and Other Adventures
--Adrian Wooldridge, author of God Is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith Is Changing the World
--Jay Mathews, author of Work Hard. Be Nice
--John Merriman,The Dynamite Club: How a Bombing in Fin-de-Siecle Paris Ignited the Age of Modern Terror
--Alan Beattie, False Economy: A Surprising Economic History of the World
--David Kilcullen, The Accidental Guerrilla: Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One

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Here are links to other recent One for the Books columns. More links are available on my blog at http://blogs.dixcdn.com/shine_a_light/one-for-the-books/

Picture Books for Children -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4563834

WWII Internment of Japanese Americans -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4554807

Book Club Recommendations -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4545419

Lighter Goodies -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4535339

Slavery -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4525809

Memoirs of Women Searching -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4515783

Return to Amish Country -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4511270

Literary Journeys -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4135851

About Jane (Austen) -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3688662

Irish Fiction -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3614762

Road Trips -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3538561

The Amish -- http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3142161




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“One for the Books” appears the second and fourth Fridays of the month in the Record-Courier. Extra columns may appear on occasion, especially preceding Christmas and Hanukkah.