After 20 Years in a Men’s Prison, a Trans Woman Returns Home

James Hannaham’s new novel imagines a convict’s fateful re-entry into a much-changed Brooklyn.

BY JOHN IRVING | NYTimes Books | Disclosure

Counting the Population Has Always Been Political

In the deft and surprisingly lively “Democracy’s Data,” Dan Bouk explores the uses, misuses and failures of the U.S. Census.

BY ALEXANDRA JACOBS | NYTimes Books | Disclosure

Beefcake, Goethe’s Boswell and the Greeks

Our critic recommends old and new books.

BY MOLLY YOUNG | NYTimes Books | Disclosure

Dungeons and Dragons: How the company behind the iconic game lost its away

In ‘Slaying the Dragon,’ Ben Riggs chronicles the rise and fall of the company behind the granddaddy of role-playing games

By Elizabeth Hand | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Jared Kushner’s memoir is only inadvertently revealing

Promising an inside view of the White House, the book actually exposes Kushner's mind-set and values.

By Elizabeth Spiers | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

The ‘good criminals’ who help treat opioid addicts

"Dopesick" author Beth Macy profiles the volunteers and outreach workers who bring hope, not judgment, to drug users.

By Nancy D. Campbell | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

In post-apartheid South Africa, dashed hopes and moral struggles

In South Africa's challenges, Eve Fairbanks sees parallels to the U.S. efforts to undo white supremacy.

By Paul C. Taylor | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

An ‘underclass’ made vulnerable to disease, then blamed for outbreaks

Inequalities in American society put people at risk for illness and also make them more likely to be punished for it, writes journalist Steven W. Thrasher.

By Sarah Carr | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Michelle Tea’s memoir exposes the pain — and comedy — of infertility

"Knocking Myself Up," Michelle Tea’s "memoir of (in)fertility," will resonate across generations.

By Meredith Maran | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Ali Hazelwood’s sort-of-secret life as a best-selling author

“Love Hypothesis” author Ali Hazelwood didn’t intend to keep her scientist identity separate from her author identity. She didn’t intend to become an author.

By Stephanie Merry | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Carlos Ghosn always wanted more — and ended up losing everything

The story of how a respected auto executive became a criminal suspect, then a fugitive.

By Joe Nocera | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Beto O’Rourke’s book spotlights Texans’ struggles for voting rights

O'Rourke, the Democratic candidate for governor, presents himself as a listener and an advocate for the state's progressive activists.

By Lee Drutman | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

A reporter probes a powerful university — and fights with his editors

Paul Pringle's work exposed serious abuses at the University of Southern California, but the dispute with his former co-workers may overshadow his book.

By Cara Fitzpatrick | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

The messy, monumental task of conducting the U.S. census

Going behind the scenes of the count, Dan Bouk reveals a flawed process, political motives and, yet, an impressive achievement.

By Karen Sandstrom | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

A French bestseller considers Josef Mengele’s years on the run

Olivier Guez's "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele," translated by Georgia de Chamberet, is a grueling read.

By Diane Cole | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Cecile Pineda, wide-ranging Latina author, dies at 89

She burst onto the literary scene in 1985 with her debut novel, “Face,” and later grappled with the immigrant experience and dangers of the nuclear age.

By Emily Langer | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Nicholas Evans, whose ‘Horse Whisperer’ became a phenomenon, dies at 72

The British novelist's first book sold more than 15 million copies and was adapted into a hit movie starring Robert Redford.

By Harrison Smith | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

In 1992, Salman Rushdie wasn’t sure he’d ever be safe

In 1992, Salman Rushdie took a secret trip to Washington to plead for help.

By Al Kamen | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Beach bag refill: 12 books to get you to the end of summer

A list of beach reads and other books to get you through summer.

By Nora Krug | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

An inclusive look at women’s history, beyond White activists

Historian Elisabeth Griffith includes divisions alongside victories in this rich, intersectional account of the struggle for equality.

By Connie Schultz | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

The incredible feats and lonely life of sports legend Jim Thorpe

David Maraniss shows how the legendary athlete was celebrated, belittled and exploited.

By Aram Goudsouzian | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

‘The Boys’ author Katie Hafner on her path from journalist to novelist

Going from nonfiction to fiction can be both liberating and paralyzing, Hafner explains.

By Katie Hafner | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

A veteran asks: What did the Afghan war mean for those who served?

Marine veteran Elliot Ackerman, who helped evacuate Afghans, reflects on the war's flawed decisions, moments of kindness and "disastrous" end.

By Carter Malkasian | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Melissa Bank, literary chronicler of love and loss, dies at 61

Her first short-story collection, "The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing," was translated into more than 30 languages and became a best-seller.

By Harrison Smith | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Behind the scenes of ‘Bull Durham’ and its bittersweet take on baseball

Director and screenwriter Ron Shelton shares quirky details about the making of the movie, and illuminates its themes of aging and regret.

By Chandra Manning | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

The big bang created the universe. What created the big bang?

Quantum cosmologist Laura Mersini-Houghton winds back the clock to ponder the origin of our universe's origin.

By Daniel Stone | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Tracing the Republican Party’s devolution to one man: Newt Gingrich

Dana Milbank identifies Gingrich as the culprit who began steering the GOP away from Reagan and toward Trump.

By Christopher Buckley | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

History’s famous delusions, those who believed them — and why

Victoria Shepherd explains some of psychology's landmark cases with empathy and understanding.

By Lucinda Robb | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

‘Bookish People’ is the perfect summer read for book lovers

Susan Coll’s new novel makes clever use of her experience working in one of the country’s foremost independent bookstores.

By Kerri Maher | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

‘The Year of Miracles’ is a welcome reminder to savor the small stuff

Ella Risbridger’s new book beautifully explores the consolations of friendship and cooking (recipes included).

By Jennifer Reese | Washington Post Books | Disclosure

Washington Post hardcover bestsellers

A snapshot of popular books.

By Jennifer Reese | Washington Post Books | Disclosure