Recent Reviews
‘Let Me be Frank With You,’ by Richard Ford
A book of novellas about Frank Bascombe from the Pulitzer-winning author of “Independence Day.”
Test Your Social Climbing IQ
Any hobnobber worth his weight in phony smiles will want to study “The Social Climber’s Bible.”
‘Splitting an Order,’ by Ted Kooser
New poems by one of the most accessible and enjoyable major poets in America.
‘You Have to F—— Eat!’
Adam Mansbach is back without another profanity-laden picture book that captures every parent’s frustration.
Sarah MacLean picks the best new romance novels
New novels by Lauren Layne, Emmy Curtis, Elizabeth Boyle are worth reading.
National Book Award for Young People’s Lit finalists
Four of the authors are previous finalists for the $10,000 prize, which will be awarded on Nov. 19.
Grab a good book for National Readathon Day
On Jan. 24, the National Book Foundation wants you to sit down, be quiet and read for four hours.
‘Revival,’ a splendid new novel by Stephen King
A young musician finds his life entwined with a magnetic preacher who claims to heal with electricity.
TOP SECRET: From Shakespeare to the NSA
“Decoding the Renaissance,” a new exhibit at the Folger Library, opens this week.
‘The Burning Room,’ by Michael Connelly
In this new Harry Bosch mystery, the corpse may be fresh, but the fatal shot was fired 10 years ago.
Joyce Carol Oates honored at retirement gala
Literary stars turn out to wish Oates well as she retires from Princeton University after 36 years.
Cartoon balloons that soar to old heights
Reintroducing Harry J. Tuthill’s “The Bungle Family” (1919-1945).
Literary lift for the military
Elizabeth Samet proposes literary pathways for understanding our war-torn years.
Resting place for our latest fallen men and women
Robert M. Poole describes Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery and the soldiers interred there.
The social lions of midcentury Washington
Gregg Herken explores the cozy lives of influence and self-regard in the Cold War years of Washington.
A Rockefeller who alienated his party
Richard North Smith chronicles the life of Nelson Rockefeller, his political and personal successes and failures.
The woman behind the smile
In “Mona Lisa,” Dianne Hales reveals the woman behind the world’s most famous painting.
Crossing over again
This time, Herbie Hancock tries his hand at a computer keyboard to write his memoir, “Possibilities.”
Bookstore celebrates opening in D.C.
Upshur Street Books brings new literary life to Petworth neighborhood
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.
How Roget came to make his famous reference book
“The Right Word,” by Jen Bryant, tells the charming story of how a sad little boy slowly built the thesaurus.
‘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.
Washington Post Bestsellers Nov. 9, 2014
The books Washington has been reading.
‘You Have to F—— Eat!’
Adam Mansbach is back without another profanity-laden picture book that captures every parent’s frustration.
Grab a good book for National Readathon Day
On Jan. 24, the National Book Foundation wants you to sit down, be quiet and read for four hours.
‘Splitting an Order,’ by Ted Kooser
New poems by one of the most accessible and enjoyable major poets in America.
‘Are these people for real?’
Some querulous readers of ‘The Biographical Dictionary of Literary Failure” might ask that.
The social lions of midcentury Washington
Gregg Herken explores the cozy lives of influence and self-regard in the Cold War years of Washington.
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.
Literary Calendar
Going Out Guide: Upcoming events
Get the latest on readings, signings and author appearances in the D.C. area.
