Alice Hoffman

The author of The Dovekeepers chooses classic works of fiction to inspire the writer within.

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Lydia Millet

The novelist picks stories of the Wild West and wild nature

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Patricia Cornwell

Gift ideas from Kay Scarpetta's creator.

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Adam Gopnik

Three favorite books? An impossible choice.

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Tom Brokaw

Classic works of fiction and nonfiction from the broadcaster's bookshelf.

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Nile Rodgers

The musician and memoirist recommends classic page-turners from Dumas, Stevenson, and Herbert.

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Peter Sís

Works of enchantment, from the bookshelf of the artist and author.

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Roger Ebert

The film critic and author recommends three of his favorite works of fiction.

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Nathaniel Philbrick

American works of enduring power, from Melville to Faulkner.

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Rita Mae Brown

Works of tragedy and laughter, from Ancient Greece to a raft on the Mississippi.

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Roz Chast

The cartoonist recommends three fiction favorites.

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Alice Waters

Flavorful, nourishing reading selected by the chef, author, and visionary.

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Josh Ritter

American tales and travels, selected by a modern troubadour.

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Linda Howard

The author of Prey hunts down three favorites.

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Charles Frazier

The author of Nightwoods and Cold Mountain on three transporting reads.

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Anne Perry

Mind-expanding nonfiction from the mystery writer's bookshelf.

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Jim Lehrer

An institution of American journalism recommends three favorite works of fiction.

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Jane Lynch

Three favorites from the author and Glee star.

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Charles Yu

The science fiction scribe picks three works that will astound your mind -- and break your heart.

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George Pelecanos

The author of The Cut on three great works of war literature.

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Alexandra Fuller

Reading to unveil the inner life of Africa.

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Lev Grossman

The author of The Magician King recommends three books about codes of manners, codes of honor, and codebreakers.

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Dave Stewart

A songsmith traces his storytelling roots.

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Vanessa Carlton

The singer-songwriter picks books she'd travel a thousand miles to read.

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Jane Fonda

Three illuminating reads, chosen by the actress and author.

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Chick Corea

A musical legend on reading for relaxation -- and inspiration.

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Grant Morrison

Three recommendations from the comic book writer's shelves.

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Haley Tanner

The novelist recommends three vital works of American fiction.

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Adam Ross

The author recommends three twentieth-century classics.

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Ann Brashares

The Sisterhood series author on works about landscapes lost to nostalgia.

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May 22: America's "Great Migration" westward began on this day in 1843, some 1,000 heading west in the first pioneer exodus over the Oregon Trail. Small groups had been making the five-month trek for several years, but this marked…

Do you recall the tagline from the very first Superman movie? "You'll believe a man can fly!" Well, I'm tempted to craft such a hyperbolic assertion for China Miéville's…

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Books CDs, DVDs to know about now
The Legend of Pradeep Mathew

When a hard-drinking Sri Lankan sportswriter faces liver failure, he decides it's finally time to track down once-great  cricket star Pradeep Mathew. Shehan Karunatilaka's big-hearted, madcap novel reverberates with echoes of A Fan's Notes and Netherland. A Discover Great New Writers selection.

I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts

His subjects range from the suicide note as literary genre to the theme-parking of the Holocaust. But though Mark Dery's "drive-by essays" are sure to court controversy, the writer's commitment to entering intellectual no-fly zones make this collection a daring, bravura work of cultural criticism.

Old Ideas

With dates announced for his upcoming Old Ideas concert tour, we celebrate the inimitable Leonard Cohen: bard, survivor, legend. His most recent album is a return to form for the balladeer, exploring signature themes of lust and longing, spirituality and struggle, all overlaid with a droll sense of humor as familiar as Cohen's prophetic voice.