Munro's prose shines in this new collection inspired by her Scottish family history. With stories as subtle and lucid as always, this is her most personal fiction to date.

There's no better winter treat than diving into Hiaassen's wacky and entertaining Florida. In Nature Girl he outdoes himself in creating a mystery of colorful characters in a wild landscape.

Fast-paced, in-depth, and enlightening, The March takes on a pivotal Civil War episode — General Sherman's march to the sea. If you liked Geraldine Brooks's March, read The March.

Thirteen Moons is an elegant epic, a moving love story, and an engrossing adventure.

P. D. James's peerless reputation comes from her skillful combination of elegant prose and sharp psychological insight with wonderfully complex mysteries. The Lighthouse will enthrall fans and newcomers alike.

With The Historian Elizabeth Kostova has written a love letter to Dracula and Eastern Europe. It's a thrilling read, a lush, beautifully written adventure for the mind and body.

One Good Turn is a superb sequel to Case Histories: sly and witty, honest and humane, and, finally, complex and suspenseful. It is undoubtedly my favorite novel of 2006.

Richard Ford's anti-hero Frank Bascombe has returned, middle-aged, possibly wiser, more cynical, and heading into a Thanksgiving season without his wife. Ford is a great writer with sly, deadpan humor.

Fantasy author Gaiman is at his best in this short story collection, which contains an embarrassing riches of storytelling that is at times dark, funny, terrifying, beautiful, and always brilliant.