Provides analysis and criticism of recent novels and other works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama that have proven that have proven newsworthy. Titles in this volume include:

• The Closers by Michael Connelly (2005)
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (2003)
• Delights & Shadows by Ted Kooser (2004)
• Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt (2005)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling (2005)
• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005)
• Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (2002)
• Kafka on the Shore by Harumi Murakami (2005)
• The Known World: A Novel by Edward P. Jones (2003)
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel (2001)
• The Little Friend by Donna Tartt (2002)
• A Million Little Pieces by James Frey (2003)
• My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (2004)
• The Nanny Diaries: A Novel by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin (2002)
• Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi (2003)
• Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson (2001)
• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2004)
• Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre (2003)