The Book Report: Ron Charles' favorite novels of 2023
The Washington Post book reviewer offers his picks for the best fiction of the year.
Books
Harry Potter first edition found in bargain bin sells for $69,000 at auction
A mom bought a copy of the first Harry Potter book for her kids to read on vacation. More than 20 years later, it sold at auction for $69,000.
James Ellroy talks new novel
James Ellroy, the author of "L.A. Confidential" and over a dozen other novels, is out with a new book "The Enchanters." The story focuses on a private investigator looking into the death of Marilyn Monroe. CBS News' Jeff Glor has more in his interview with the "Demon Dog of Crime Fiction."
New book tells the story of Siskel and Ebert
Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel are two of the most influential film critics ever, often making or breaking movies with their reviews. Now, a new book by film critic Matt Singer takes a look at their impact and professional rivalry. CBS News' Dana Jacobson has more.
Barbra Streisand on her long-awaited memoir
In her newly-published autobiography, "My Name Is Barbra," the celebrated actress-singer-director writes of a life of heartbreaking deprivation and spectacular success, and of an artistic career lauded by critics and fans as peerless.
A reader's guide for "Let Us Descend," Oprah's book club pick
The questions, discussion topics and other material that follow are intended to enhance a group's conversation of "Let Us Descend."
Oprah chooses "Let Us Descend" by Jesmyn Ward as new book club pick
"Let Us Descend" by Jesmyn Ward, a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and the youngest person ever to be honored with the Library of Congress's Prize for American Fiction, chronicles the trials of Annis, an enslaved teenager.
Britney Spears says she "went along" with conservatorship for "good reason"
Britney Spears' new memoir, "The Woman in Me," comes out Tuesday.
Mitt Romney on today's Republican Party
The Utah Senator and one-time GOP presidential nominee says he is no longer at home within a party dominated by Trump. He also talks about examining his legacy, as the subject of a new biography, "Romney: A Reckoning."
The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (October 22)
With Halloween creeping up on us, our book reviewer recommends some new novels haunted by ghosts and monsters of one kind or another.
Britney Spears details conservatorship in new memoir, People editor says
Exclusive excerpts from "The Woman in Me" will be available on "CBS Mornings" and People magazine's platforms this week, before Britney Spears' new memoir is released next Tuesday.
David Brooks on his mission: To counter our nation's spiritual crisis
The New York Times columnist believes it's not naïve to trust in others. In his new book, "How to Know a Person," he aims to help people divided by partisanship and social media better see and understand one another.
The reclusive Sly Stone returns, on the page
The music legend who invented his own kind of funky hybrid of rock 'n' roll and R&B with his '60s group Sly and the Family Stone has just penned a memoir, "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)."
Rachel Maddow on "Prequel" and the rise of the fascist movement in America
Prior to World War II, antisemites and Nazi sympathizers in the U.S. plotted to set up a Hitler-style dictatorship in America. Rachel Maddow says we are seeing another threat to democracy from the ultra-right today.
Book excerpt: "Prequel" by Rachel Maddow
In her latest book, the bestselling author and MSNBC host writes about the rise of fascist sympathizers in the U.S. prior to World War II, and their goal to create a dictatorship in America.
"Trust" author Hernan Diaz on his love for "the music of English"
The novelist's Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller is a kaleidoscopic look at the world of the stratospherically rich. He talks about the influence of Edith Wharton on his work, and the miracle of validation that came after years of writing without recognition.
Book excerpt: "Enough" by Cassidy Hutchinson
The former White House staffer who testified about the actions of former President Donald Trump during the insurrection writes of her experience as a witness before the January 6 Committee.
A reader's guide for "Wellness: A novel," Oprah's book club pick
"Wellness: A novel," looks at a 20-year relationship between Elizabeth and Jack, from their initial meeting as lonely students in Chicago in 1993 to their turbulent marriage in 2014.
Oprah chooses "Wellness: A novel" by Nathan Hill as new book club pick
"Wellness: A novel" is Hill's second novel, following the success of his earlier work, "The Nix," released in 2016.
Anderson Cooper on the rise and fall of the Astor fortune
His latest book, "Astor," traces the fortunes of one of the most prominent New York City families in the 19th and 20th centuries, whose wealth was built on slums and beaver pelts.
The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (September 17)
Recommendations from our book reviewer of new fiction and non-fiction titles, including a controversial new biography of Elon Musk.
Book excerpt: "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride
The award-winning novelist and memoirist returns with a tale of a Jewish and African American community that becomes the focus of a murder mystery.
Book excerpt: "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray
The Irish novelist, the acclaimed author of "Skippy Dies," returns with a tragicomedy about the changing fortunes of a prosperous family.
Book excerpt: "The Fraud" by Zadie Smith
In her latest novel, the bestselling author of "White Teeth" revisits a real-life 19th century legal trial that divided England.
Book excerpt: "Astor" by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe
The bestselling authors of "Vanderbilt" return with a history of one American dynasty's rising and falling fortune.
Entertainment
Beyoncé is now a billionaire, according to Forbes
The Grammy-winning artist Beyoncé became the fifth musician to achieve the wealth milestone, Forbes said Monday.
Actor accusing Tyler Perry exchanged texts with him years after alleged assault
Actor Mario Rodriguez alleged in the lawsuit filed last week in California that Tyler Perry sexually assaulted him during encounters between 2014 and 2019.
French split over Brigitte Bardot tribute due to her far right views
French politicians were divided on Monday over how to pay tribute to the late Brigitte Bardot who, despite her screen legend, courted controversy in later life with her far-right views.
Brigitte Bardot dies at 91
Actress Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91. Elizabeth Palmer looks back on her life.
MetroCard art: Swiping beauty from the mundane
On December 31, New York City will officially retire the transit system's MetroCard, that ubiquitous piece of plastic used to gain entrance onto subways and buses. But there is beauty in using MetroCards as the raw materials for art, as Thomas McKean has found in his collages and miniature sculptures depicting portraits of city life. Serena Altschul reports.
2025: The year's top books
"Sunday Morning" checks out the bestselling fiction and non-fiction of the past year.
2025: The year's top movies
"Sunday Morning" checks out the highest-grossing films of the past year.
2025: The year's top music
"Sunday Morning" checks out Spotify's top streaming hits of the past year.
The Book Report: Ron Charles' picks from 2025
The Washington Post book reviewer offers "Sunday Morning" viewers his picks for fiction and non-fiction titles to add to their New Year's reading lists.
The Book Report: Ron Charles' books of the year for 2025
The Washington Post book reviewer offers "Sunday Morning" viewers his picks for fiction and non-fiction titles to add to their New Year's reading lists.
Book excerpt: "Guilty by Definition" by Susie Dent
This debut novel is a mystery in which a dictionary editor at Oxford turns to word-sleuthing in order to unravel a family member's long-ago disappearance.
How one photographer takes refuge in Paris
Peter Turnley, an American and French photographer known for documenting the human condition, finds comfort in Paris. His new book "PARIS Je t'aime" showcases 50 years of photographs from his favorite city.
Samara Joy performs "Now And Then (In Remembrance Of...)"
Samara Joy burst onto the jazz scene in 2021, earning major praise as a "classic jazz singer from a new generation," and gaining popularity on TikTok. The young artist has already won five Grammy Awards, and her album "Portrait" is now up for Best Jazz Vocal Album of the Year. Here's Samara Joy performing "Now And Then (In Remembrance Of...)."
Samara Joy performs "Three Little Words"
Samara Joy burst onto the jazz scene in 2021, earning major praise as a "classic jazz singer from a new generation," and gaining popularity on TikTok. The young artist has already won five Grammy Awards, and her album "Portrait" is now up for Best Jazz Vocal Album of the Year. Here's Samara Joy performing "Three Little Words."
Second actor accuses Tyler Perry of sexual assault in new lawsuit
It marks the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.