Recent Reviews
‘Yes Please,’ by Amy Poehler
A memoir by the always honest, always hilarious star of ‘Parks and Recreation’
August Kleinzahler is coming to D.C.
He’ll be the next guest for “The Life of a Poet” at the Hill Center on Nov. 4.
Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling’s thoughts on stress
All three addressed the in ways that seem very in tune with their personalities.
‘Horrorstör’ a tale of terror in flat-pack furniture land
Can the frightened employees of this haunted Scandinavian-inspired store survive the night?
Old horror stories with the power to haunt modern readers
In time for Halloween, three new anthologies of 19th-century ghost stories and detective tales.
Review: ‘Prince Lestat,’ by Anne Rice
Anne Rice returns to her lush world of beautiful, hedonistic undead.
An optimistic future in William Gibson’s ‘The Peripheral’
From the author of “Spook Country,” a fictional future starring a plucky female gamer with 3D printing skills.
Levar Burton reads the most expletive-filled bedtime story you’ve ever heard
Burton brought his unique charm to a request leveled, in one way or another, by all sleep-deprived parents.
History of English murder is a light read
“The Art of the English Murder” is entertaining, but Lucy Worsley could have used more historical sources.
Glory was his own reward
Laura Auricchio recounts the life of Lafayette, his desire for glory, and his contributions to the American cause.
What makes nations succeed and fail?
Francis Fukuyama explores the essential characteristics of a successful liberal democracy.
Living in the vice district of Storyville
Gary Krist brings to life the New Orleans’ prostitutes, musicians and murderous dangers in early 1900s.
Gauging Latinos’ political clout
Matt Barreto and Gary Segura provide a data-driven analysis of the emerging Latino voting bloc.
In search of the origins of ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’
As the Halloween classic turns 48, we learn the inside scoop on the “Peanuts” gang.
Harry Potter nemesis to get new life on Halloween
Dolores Umbridge will be the subject of a new short story from J.K. Rowling
Lily King wins first Kirkus Fiction Prize
New Yorker Cartoonist Roz Chast takes the nonfiction prize.
On behalf of wronged defendants
In a new memoir, Bryan Stevenson recounts his efforts to reverse glaring mistakes in criminal justice cases.
Book World: ‘Beautiful You’ by Chuck Palahniuk
From the author of “Fight Club,” a new novel on female sexual pleasure — and how it can be manipulated.
Jodi Picoult: Elephants should not be in zoos -- period.
The bestselling author of “Leaving Time” joins with PETA to raise alarm about the treatment of elephants.
Finalists for $75,000 Cundill Prize in Historical Literature
Gary Bass, Richard Overy and David Von Reybrouck are competing for the $75,000 award.
Michael Dirda reviews ‘Limonov’ by Emmanuel Carrère
The adventures of Eduard Limonov: best-selling writer, butler, tailor and “professional revolutionary.”
‘Us’: A fractured family’s trip into parenthood’s regrets
Author David Nicholls paints a picture of a summer holiday sprinkled with as much humor as tragedy.
Scott McCloud a gifted emcee for ‘Best American Comics’
The guest editor corrals the industry’s “usual suspects” and new stars alike while illuminating cultural shifts.
Three new sci-fi books to rattle your October
Novels by Jonathan Carroll, John Twelve Hawks and R.S. Belcher
A literary quest by the author of ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’
‘Read it,’ writes Jane Smiley, ‘it will do you good.’
Book review: John Grisham’s ‘Gray Mountain’
A lawyer must choose between nonprofit legal work in Appalachia and a high-priced firm in New York.
Book review: ‘One Lucky Bastard’ by Roger Moore
In a new memoir, the former James Bond kisses and tells (kind of).
The view from inside the crematory
Caitlin Doughty describes her horrible and humorous life as a worker inside a crematory.
An elusive Senate leader
Alec MacGillis portrays Sen. Mitch McConnell’s hard-ball tactics and intense Republican partisanship.
The confusion of an historic hurricane
Adam Sobel and Kathryn Miles reveal the science and human tragedies of Hurricane Sandy in separate books.
Beer drinking your way through ages
William Bostwick takes readers on a personal tour of beer-making and tasting over the past 5000 years.
Soldier’s best friend
In “War Dogs,” Rebecca Frankel writes about dogs at war and the humans who handle them.
How women gained control of pregnancy
Jonathan Eig explores the medical and cultural journey toward the creation of the birth-control pill.
Book Review: ‘Tinseltown’ by William J. Mann
New clues — and new theories — in a long unsolved Hollywood murder mystery.
Washington Post Bestsellers Oct. 26, 2014
The books Washington has been reading.
August Kleinzahler is coming to D.C.
He’ll be the next guest for “The Life of a Poet” at the Hill Center on Nov. 4.
Michael Dirda reviews ‘Limonov’ by Emmanuel Carrère
The adventures of Eduard Limonov: best-selling writer, butler, tailor and “professional revolutionary.”
Grab a seat at the table for an “Immortal Evening”
Stanley Plumly’s new book lets readers in on a dinner whose guests include Keats and Wordsworth.
Glory was his own reward
Laura Auricchio recounts the life of Lafayette, his desire for glory, and his contributions to the American cause.
Soldier’s best friend
In “War Dogs,” Rebecca Frankel writes about dogs at war and the humans who handle them.
The beginning of the tabloid age in politics
In “All the Truth Is Out,” Matt Bai chronicles the rise of the modern political scandal.
Literary Calendar
Going Out Guide: Upcoming events
Get the latest on readings, signings and author appearances in the D.C. area.
Elsewhere in Entertainment
Most Read: Entertainment
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1
Lestat returns: In her new novel, Anne Rice revives a much-loved vampire -
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Old tales of ghosts and goons hold creepy subtexts for contemporary readers -
3
'Rival Survival' on Discovery Channel: A feeble reach across the political isle -
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Review: 'Yes Please,' by Amy Poehler -
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JONAS SALK: Google says 'thanks' to the heroic polio-vaccine developer with birthday Doodle
