All Books
Are professional writers an endangered species? Philip Pullman says yes.A number of recent studies suggest authors are struggling financially.
'Silence' is being re-released in English translation in advance of a 2016 film adaptation by Martin ScorseseJapanese novelist Sh奴saku End艒 explores themes of life, death, and moral value in a searching and disquieting novel.聽
'One Child' considers the long-term impact of China鈥檚 one-child policyJournalist Mei Fong makes a convincing argument that the number of births prevented by the policy 鈥� while great 鈥� is not as large as the Chinese government says.
Bestselling books the week of 1/7/15, according to IndieBound* What's flying fastest off the shelves of independent bookstores this week? IndieBound's list is based on reporting from hundreds of independent bookstores across the United States for the sales week ended Sunday, Jan. 3, 2015.
Zarqawi: a martyr, his motives, and the 鈥榬ise of ISIS鈥�In interview, 鈥楤lack Flags鈥� author Joby Warrick explains the bloody legacy left by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
'The Relevance of Religion' reconciles faith to politics 鈥� and Americans to each otherJohn Danforth reflects on more than half a century of 海角大神 faith, American government, and how knowing the difference can make our country work.聽
'No More Champagne' reveals Winston Churchill's spendthrift waysChurchill was a big and careless spender throughout his life, endlessly hustling for loans and deals to support his pricey and princely habits.
'The Last Volcano' is the remarkable story of a forgotten scientific pioneerThe eruption of Mount Pelee in the Antilles in 1902 made Thomas Jagger wonder: 'Why hadn't human knowledge advanced enough since Pompeii to prevent a replay of such suffering?'
Bestselling books the week of 12/31/15, according to IndieBound* What's selling best in independent bookstores across America?
'A Just and Generous Nation' casts the Civil War as a philosophical battleIf the South had won the Civil War, what would have happened to the American dream of an upwardly mobile, progressive, and middle class nation?
9 sports books to ring out 2015 and ring in 2016 Variety is the spice of sports reading. Here are excerpts from a diverse new crop of sports books 鈥� covering everything from Obama's grasp of basketball to the greats of the NHL.
'A Long Walk Home' records life as Eli Reed saw itReed's photos are remarkable for their lack of judgment of the people or the situations he encountered.
Best of 2015: 12 authors on remarkable transformationsThis year, I鈥檝e interviewed many authors about moments of transformation for Q&A features in the Monitor. Here are some of my favorite answers.
'For the Record' is a cool YA sneak-peak into life on the road and on the stageCharlotte's Huang's debut young adult novel delivers a frothy yet realistic look into the life of a young musician.
'The Hired Girl' stars a plucky heroine whose writing skills save the dayReaders witness not only the protagonist's maturing thought, but also her growth as a writer.
Children's picture books that celebrate the glories of winterThis lovely new cluster of seasonal picture books are all focused 鈥� in different ways 鈥� on the magnificent cold and white of winter.
'The Traitor's Mark' weaves a Tudor mystery from scraps of factThe historical record tells us that famous Tudor portrait painter Hans Holbein died in the autumn of 1543, possibly of the plague. But did he really?
'Leftover Women' reveals unequal shares of China鈥檚 growing wealthMao Zedong's communist party was set to modernize the rights and roles of women in China. However, within years of taking power, the party stopped its efforts 鈥� leaving Chinese women facing societal gender bias even as China rises as a dominant power.聽
Bestselling books the week of 12/20/15, according to IndieBound What's flying fastest off the shelves of independent bookstores this week? IndieBound's list is based on reporting from hundreds of independent bookstores across the United States for the sales week ended Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015.
2015 fiction quiz: Can you recognize these opening lines?How many have you read? Test yourself by seeing if you can match first lines to the titles of the Monitor's favorite novels (and one collection of short stories) from 2015.