Recent Reviews
Steven Pinker’s advice on grammar
In “The Sense of Style,” a renowned linguist weighs in on grammar and usage questions.
Politics & Prose to open 5 satellite stores
The Northwest Washington bookseller will take over the retail operation at five restaurants.
‘Are these people for real?’
Some querulous readers of ‘The Biographical Dictionary of Literary Failure” might ask that.
Book review: ‘The Madman of Piney Woods’
In his new novel, Christopher Paul Curtis, two young boys are connected by a mysterious forest creature.
‘Sam and Dave Dig a Hole’ and find the unexpected
Mac Barnett’s new picture book offers a twist on a childhood pastime.
‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ wrestles with arresting themes
Nuruddin Farah’s book deftly touches on sharp political and social themes in Africa, but its prose is a bit polite.
‘War Dogs,’ by Rebecca Frankel
Tales of canine heroism, history and love.
In ‘Prune’ cookbook, a chef speaks to her line cooks
Gabrielle Hamilton eschews lush photography and headnotes in a work decidedly not aimed at amateurs.
A cowboy’s dreams are dashed in “Falling from Horses”
In Molly Gloss’s new novel, a 1930s ranch hand learns how Hollywood mistreats man and animal alike.
Lena Dunham responds to sites accusing her of sexually abusing her sister
Lena Dunham describes masturbating in bed with her sister and negotiating with her for kisses. Two right-leaning sites called it abuse.
‘Full Measure’ explores a Marine’s life post-Afghanistan
T. Jefferson Parker delivers a moving, sometimes heartbreaking portrait of what often seems a lost generation.
Galway Kinnell, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, dies at 87
Mr. Kinnell, who often wrote about outsiders in American life, was seen as an heir of Robert Frost.
Does how you frame it matter?
George Lakoff asserts Republicans are making gains because of the way they present their arguments.
The many ailments of America
Bob Herbert explores the country and discovers many shades of national aimlessness and entropy.
More private than Facebook
In “More Awesome than Money,” Jim Dwyer chronicles the founding of the social network Diaspora.
Young America’s love of the French
Francois Furstenberg recounts the tale of Frenchmen who influenced life in early America.
The ministry of hilarity
John Cleese recounts his life and career up to and including the Monty Python phenomenon.
For the love of data
Talking romance and algorithms with OKCupid co-founder and president Christian Rudder.
Elsa Schiaparelli, after a fashion
Fact-laden biography gives little insight into the woman and even less into her designs.
BREAKING: Hogwarts Professor Umbridge is half-Muggle
This morning, J.K. Rowling posted several new items on her Pottermore website.
Denis Johnson remakes thrill in ‘The Laughing Monsters’
A NATO intelligence agent and a soldier of fortune team up in a tangled adventure in West Africa.
We quoth ‘The Raven’ evermore
Edgar Allan Poe’s creepy poem has been flying high for almost 170 years.
‘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.
Washington Post Bestsellers Nov. 2. 2014
The books Washington has been reading.
Politics & Prose to open 5 satellite stores
The Northwest Washington bookseller will take over the retail operation at five restaurants.
‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ wrestles with arresting themes
Nuruddin Farah’s book deftly touches on sharp political and social themes in Africa, but its prose is a bit polite.
‘Are these people for real?’
Some querulous readers of ‘The Biographical Dictionary of Literary Failure” might ask that.
Michael Dirda reviews ‘Limonov’ by Emmanuel Carrère
The adventures of Eduard Limonov: best-selling writer, butler, tailor and “professional revolutionary.”
The ministry of hilarity
John Cleese recounts his life and career up to and including the Monty Python phenomenon.
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.
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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'TOY STORY 4′: Pixar announces John Lasseter's sequel for 2017. Is this a good thing? -
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Winners at the 48th annual CMA Awards -
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Navy SEAL whose shots killed bin Laden goes public -
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Politics and Prose will open satellite stores in Busboys and Poets restaurants -
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TV highlights: Jay Leno plays guest on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'
