Chicago Sun-Times

A backstage look at the ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:45:39 -0500

Jennifer Keishin Armstrong examines the creation of television’s “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” which defined a generation, in “Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted.” Using a “fly on the wall” approach into the minds of the people behind the scenes and the cast of the show, Armstrong has written the quintessential book on one of the best sitcoms to grace the airwaves.

‘The Cooked Seed’ a powerful coming-to-America story

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:45:29 -0500

In the dedication of her latest book, “The Cooked Seed,” best-selling Chinese author Anchee Min thanks her daughter for “making [her] write this book.” One cannot help but wonder why — with such a powerful story to tell — Min waited until now to share it.

Best sellers 05.19.13

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:28:00 -0500

Publisher’s Weekly’s top 10s for the week of May 19.

Literary listings

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:26:00 -0500

Local book signings and literary events, May 17-31.

Review: ‘Raven Girl’ by Audrey Niffenegger

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:45:18 -0500

Above and beyond all else, “Raven Girl,” Audrey Niffenegger’s very strange and very modern new fairy tale, serves as vivid proof that there can be no substitute for the sheer beauty of an old fashioned paper book. So just for starters, cheers to publisher Abrams Comic Arts, a division of the estimable art book publisher, for producing such an exquisite volume, and for giving this newest tale by the Chicago and London-based Niffenegger a jewel-like presentation.

‘Parenthood’s’ Lauren Graham pens novel

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:45:27 -0500

Lauren Graham has a day job as Sarah Braverman on the NBC drama “Parenthood,” but she decided to fill up her free time by writing a novel. “Someday, Someday, Maybe” follows a twentysomething aspiring actress named Franny Banks who is living in New York City in the 1990s. The story isn’t autobiographical, but obviously Graham could relate to Franny’s struggle to break into show biz.

Best sellers 05.12.13

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:58:00 -0500

Publisher’s Weekly’s top 10s for the week of May 12.

Literary listings

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:34:00 -0500

Local book signings and literary events, May 9-25.

Review: ‘Dead Ever After’ by Charlaine Harris

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:44:00 -0500

It’s the end of the road for Sookie Stackhouse, Charlaine Harris’ plucky, mind-reading heroine. “Dead Ever After” hits bookstores this week, and is the final Sookie Stackhouse novel. Disappointingly, there isn’t any sense of finality to the series. Fans seeking full closure will have to wait until the fall.

Author Q&A: Charlaine Harris on the end of Sookie Stackhouse

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:44:00 -0500

‘Dead Ever After,” the 13th novel in Charlaine Harris’ paranormal series about the telepathic Bon Temps, La., waitress whose story inspired HBO’s “True Blood,” has come to an end. Harris spoke about Sookie’s final chapter and what’s up next.

Best sellers 05.05.13

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:40:00 -0500

Publisher’s Weekly’s top 10s for the week of May 5.

Literary listings

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:06:00 -0500

Local book signings and literary events, May 2-18.

Author Q&A: Henry Kisor on his fourth Steve Martinez mystery

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:18:56 -0500

Former Sun-Times literary editor is back in bookstores with the fourth installment in his Steve Martinez mysteries, which take place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a place near and dear to the author’s heart.

Review: ‘Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal,’ by Mary Roach

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:19:27 -0500

We love food. We savor it, digest it, absorb the best and pass the rest. That journey between the tip of your tongue and the seat of your pants might seem like a humdrum subject for a science book. But Mary Roach — an author who has written smart but irreverent books about sex, corpses and space travel — manages to make it not only fun, but also funny, in “Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal.”

Book notes

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:19:17 -0500

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