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'The Whale' by Philip Hoare

'The Whale' by Philip Hoare

Despite the fearful power of the white whale in 'Moby-Dick,' whales have usually been the losers in their clash with humans, the author...

'The Infinities' by John Banville

'The Infinities' by John Banville

A dying mathematician ponders his fame, fate and family as the gods of Greek myth observe him.

'The Incredible Double' by Owen Hill

'The Incredible Double' by Owen Hill

Clay Blackburn, the hero of Owen Hill's elegant and understated novel "The Incredible Double," is not your typical detective. For one thing,...

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Spotlights from the Los Angeles Times

La, la, laÂ… hike!

La, la, laÂ… hike!

Does an 'Idol' hopeful have an NFL quarterback on her team?

Best. Sweepstakes. Ever.

Best. Sweepstakes. Ever.

Dinner: Nobu. Car: Lotus. Hotel: Parc Waikiki. Enter now.

Tasty 4-day delivery

Tasty 4-day delivery

Times weekend delivery now includes Thursday's Food section.

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Books Features

Los Angeles Times announces finalists for its Book Prizes

Los Angeles Times announces finalists for its Book Prizes

Finalists for the 30th annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes were announced on Monday, and for the first time, graphic novels will be among...

'The Essential Engineer' by Henry Petroski

'The Essential Engineer' by Henry Petroski

An argument why science alone will not solve the Earth's problems.

'The Autobiography of an Execution' by David R. Dow

'The Autobiography of an Execution' by David R. Dow

A Texas attorney and law professor chronicles his often difficult efforts to have death-row clients spared.

Off The Shelf: For a brief time on Max Yard, they are writers, not convicts

Off The Shelf: For a brief time on Max Yard, they are writers, not convicts

Editor's note: David Scott Milton taught writing in the prison where Kenneth Hartman, the author of "Mother California," is incarcerated....

Kim Stanley Robinson maps the future's gray areas

Kim Stanley Robinson maps the future's gray areas

He creates science fiction that doesn't trade in extremes and objects to 'apocalyptic thinking.' His newest novel is 'Galileo's Dream.'

'The Room and the Chair' by Lorraine Adams

'The Room and the Chair' by Lorraine Adams

A thriller about U.S. and Middle Eastern politics puts several female characters front and center as it ruminates on the nature of modern...

'The Man From Beijing' by Henning Mankell

'The Man From Beijing' by Henning Mankell

Long before Stieg Larsson came along, the author was creating moody thrillers like his latest one, which traces a Swedish village massacre...

Astral Weeks: A bread-and-circus future

Astral Weeks: A bread-and-circus future

Lise Haines' 'Girl in the Arena' follows an engaging teen narrator in a world where mass entertainment centers on deadly gladiator battles.

'The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr' by Ken Gormley

'The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr' by Ken Gormley

The author provides everything you wanted to know about the former president, independent counsel, Monica Lewinsky, Paula Jones and others,...

'My Times in Black and White: Race and Power at the New York Times' by Gerald M. Boyd

'My Times in Black and White: Race and Power at the New York Times' by Gerald M. Boyd

Gerald M. Boyd, who died of lung cancer nearly four years ago at 56, was one of his generation's most accomplished journalists.

Ted Conover's 'The Routes of Man: How Roads Are Changing the World and the Way We Live Today'

Ted Conover's 'The Routes of Man: How Roads Are Changing the World and the Way We Live Today'

The Pulitzer-nominated author roams the world to share the rides that are changing people's lives.

Word Play: Murky, paranoid worlds fit for the teen reader

Word Play: Murky, paranoid worlds fit for the teen reader

How can paranoia be so appealing? I was struck by this conundrum while experiencing a frisson of equal parts dread and pleasure on...