Weekend Update: The Voyage Home

NYTBR: The Islam Issue. Oh boy. Does that mean we get the Zoroastrian Issue later this year? Or perhaps the Scientologist issue? Because I’m at a bit of a loss as to what to include, my default mode turns to essays by Lorraine Adams, Robert Worth, Fouad Ajami and Tariq Ramadan and redirect to Levi for the rest.

WaPo Book World: Jonathan Yardley goes manuscript hunting with Geraldine Brooks’ latest novel (which is the book du jour this week); Ron Charles admires the ambition of Lydia Millet’s startling new novel HOW THE DEAD DREAM; and Michael Dirda enjoys the pleasure of Bernhard Schlink’s company as set down in HOMECOMING.

LA Times: Thomas Lynch is moved by David Rieff’s memoir; Jon Wiener finds parallels between the Civil War and that in Iraq after reading Drew Gilpin Faust’s account of death and dying; Minna Proctor wades through the Zadie Smith-edited anthology THE BOOK OF OTHER PEOPLE; and Mark Rozzo is startled that Zachary Lazar can conjure up a fresh take on the 1960s with SWAY.

G&M: Nicola Ross is entertained by Chris Mooney’s account of hurricane hysteria; Robin Roger’s review makes me want to get a copy of this history of electroshock therapy; and Martin Levin explains why the Books section has to highlight the “50 Greatest Books”, whatever that means at the moment.

Guardian Review: Blake Morrison investigates the growing preponderance of bibliotherapy; Diana Althill reminisces about her editing days and helping to bring about the confessional memoir; and new PEN president Lisa Appignanesi urges a repeal of the blasphemous libel law.

Observer: Ruaridh Nicoll recounts how George MacDonald Fraser helped him get an A; Tim Adams wishes Will Ferguson had concocted more than just a con novel; and Peter Guttridges sings the hosannas for Stieg Larsson’s THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.

The Times: Erica Wagner stirs up debate with another list of Great British authors; James Delingpole remembers Flashman and the man who brought him to life and fame; and Mark Everett is using many forms of media to tell his harrowing story.

The Scotsman: Stuart Kelly welcomes new volumes on the Year of the Dragon; Stella Duffy (who has a new novel coming out in March, hurray!) undergoes the Q&A treatment; Tess Gerritsen is profiled; and Gerald Kaufman rounds up recently released crime novels.
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The Rest**:

Oline Cogdill is of favorable mind towards new novels by James Grippando and Leighton Gage.

Eddie Muller heaps praise upon James Sallis, Christa Faust and Craig Holden in his newest column for the SF Chronicle.

Sarah Graves chats with the Philadelphia Inquirer about why home repair is so deadly – and so inspires her longrunning mystery series.

Hot on the heels of Laurie King’s guestblogging stint at the Rap Sheet is a great review of TOUCHSTONE by the WSJ’s Tom Nolan.

Susanna Yager reviews recent crime novels by Donald Westlake and Linwood Barclay for the Telegraph.

Tom and Enid Schantz get historical with new mysteries by Laurie King, Gyles Brandreth and Andrew Martin.

Kathleen George tells Regis Behe why she feels torn between criminal and psychological worlds.

Anna Godbersen dishes on the details of her historical teen novel LUXE to the Brooklyn Paper.

Sara Paretsky talks about her new standalone novel BLEEDING KANSAS with MPR.

Chris Middendorp wishes everyone would make a resolution to steer clear from serial killers, whether as writers or readers.

And finally, there will be some filthy habits in the future.