Books & Literature

Lamott has written a new book about being a mother for the first time (and single, at that), called "Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year." One reviewer says the book is "an emotional roller coaster ride. Painfully honest, laced with humor and poetry and moments of profound insight." Lamott is also the author of the novels, "Hard Laughter," and "All New People."

Former staff members on The Johnny Carson Show, Mike Huber and Barbara Bowen. They were, respectively, correspondent and co-correspondent for Carson and had the job of reading letters sent from fans and non-fans of the show. They collected the most memorable ones in the new book, "Dear Johnny."

Harvard Law professor Elizabeth Bartholet, author of "Family Bonds: Adoption & the Politics of Parenting." In her book, Bartholet --the mother of two adopted Peruvian boys-- examines transracial, single and older-parent families, and challenges current societal priorities about parenting, adoption and infertility.

Professor Gayle Pemberton of Princeton University reviews Black Women in White America, edited by Gerda Lerner. It was originally published in 1972.

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg on why, even in the digital age, books will never be obsolete.

Levine is an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and has been head writer for two of television's greatest shows: MASH and Cheers. He trained himself to be a baseball announcer out of a childhood love for the game, and has written a new book about his season as a broadcaster for the Baltimore Orioles: "It's Gone!...No, Wait a Minute." He's now an announcer for the Seattle Mariners.

Writer and criminal defense lawyer, Alfredo Vea, Jr. He's just written his first book, a novel, "La Maravilla." It's based on his own life growing up in the desert outside of Phoenix, where Mexican, Indian, Spanish, and Afro-American influences converged.

Barnhardt is getting a lot of press and praise for his new novel, "Gospel," an 800-page saga about a present-day search for a lost gospel. It's been described as an "intellectual detective novel. . . written on the grand scale." Barnhardt's first novel was "Emma Who Saved My Life."

Maureen Corrigan reviews the new novel by Cathleen Schine, about a woman who falls in love with a French manuscript.

A live interview with the former Atlantic Records executive. Wexler was the producer behind some of the greatest soul music of the 60s, including classic sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. His memoir of his career is called "Rhythm and the Blues."

Book critic John Leonard reviews the new book by Vikram Seth, "A Suitable Boy." It's Seth's first novel written in prose.

Tolkin wrote the novel, "The Player," a satirical look at Hollywood which was made into a film by Robert Altman. He also wrote and directed the film, "The Rapture." His newest work is a novel, "Among the Dead."

Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Inner Side Of The Win," by Milorad Pavić. It's split into two novellas, whose narratives converge but never meet.

Baca co-wrote the screenplay for the new movie "Bound By Honor," about three young Chicano men from East Los Angeles and the different paths they take as they grow into adulthood. Baca is a Chicano who grew up in an orphanage in New Mexico and ended up in prison at the age of 20. He taught himself to read and write there. His collections of poetry include Black Mesa Poems and Immigrants in Our Own Land.

Cody's new book Bucket Nut is her first featuring detective and wrestler Eva Wylie, known in the ring as "The London Lassasin." Cody's earlier series of mystery novels about London security officer Anna Lee, include Headcase, Stalker, Under Contract, and Backhand, which was shortlisted for this year's Edgar Award for Best Novel.

Two winners of the P.E.N./Freedom to Write Awards: Serbian dissident writer Svetlana Slapsak and Bosnian writer Zoran Mutic. Both fled Sarajevo and Belgrade respectively to avoid repercussions because of their outspokenness and are living in exile in Slovenia. Mutic is of Serb/Muslim background and is a translator who translated Rushdie's "Midnight Children," into Serbian. Slapsak wrote the widely acclaimed essay, "When Words Kill." She is president of the Committee for the Liberty of Expression.

Book critic John Leonard reviews the new book by Croatian journalist Slavenka Draculic, called "The Balkan Express.

Secretary of State George Schultz has a new memoir, called "Turmoil and Triumph." Terry will talk with him about the Iran-Contra Affair and his disagreements with President Bush, under whom he served.

Ghosh was born in Calcutta and studied in India, Britian, and Egypt. He has a new novel, "In An Antique Land," which tells the story of two Indians in Egypt: a 12th century slave who Ghosh had read about, and Ghosh himself. He'll talk with Terry about the current violence in India between Muslims and Hindus.

The athlete is proud of his career as a second baseman, as well as a well-rounded player. He has a new memoir called "Joe Morgan: A Life in Baseball."