The Book Report: Reviews from Washington Post critic Ron Charles (January 31)
Recommendations of new fiction and non-fiction titles.
Books
Book excerpt: "Black Buck" by Mateo Askaripour
This debut novel – a New York Times bestseller – offers a comical tale of one ambitious Black man's experience on a tech startup's sales team.
Book excerpt: Kristin Hannah's "The Four Winds"
A historical novel set in America during the turmoil of the Great Depression, from the bestselling author of "The Nightingale" and "The Great Alone."
Book excerpt: "A Bright Ray of Darkness" by Ethan Hawke
A new novel by the actor-writer-director details the efforts of an actor to try and save himself through art following the failure of his marriage.
Book excerpt: "Mike Nichols: A Life" by Mark Harris
In this new biography, the director searches for the perfect actor to star in his groundbreaking 1967 film, "The Graduate."
Book excerpt: "When Harry Met Minnie" by Martha Teichner
The "Sunday Morning" correspondent's memoir tells a moving story of friendship and puppy love.
Author Ty Seidule on new book
Author and former Army Brigadier General Ty Seidule served his country for more than 30 years. He says he retired in 2020 so he could speak his mind in full. Jeff Glor spoke with Seidule about his new book "Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause." In the book, Seidule goes into detail about his upbringing and about some ugly parts of history this country has endured.
"Bridgerton" is returning for a second season on Netflix
Dearest readers, does Netflix have some good news for you.
Eric Jerome Dickey, best-selling author, dies at 59
Dickey, 59, was best known for his extraordinary talent at depicting modern Black life.
Book excerpt: Sanjay Gupta, M.D. on brain health, in "Keep Sharp"
The neurosurgeon's new book examines how to keep the brain in shape as we age, to protect it from decline.
The Book Report: Gift ideas for book lovers
Washington Post book reviewer Ron Charles offers suggestions for the bibliophiles on your holiday list
Book excerpt: "One by One" by Ruth Ware
An avalanche in the French Alps portends death for board members of a high-tech music firm visiting for a corporate retreat in this mystery novel that nods to Agatha Christie
Book excerpt: "The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X"
This new biography of the human rights activist by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and his daughter was the National Book Award winner for Best Nonfiction of 2020
Book excerpt: "The Night Watchman" by Louise Erdrich
The National Book Award-winning novelist returns with a story inspired by the life of her grandfather, a leader of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe in the 1950s
John le Carré, definitive Cold War spy novelist, has died at 89
"We have lost a great figure of English literature," said publisher Curtis Brown CEO Johnny Geller.
Nancy Drew turns 90
It's no mystery why the venerable teenage girl detective has resonated with generations of fans.
"Humans": Connecting with the world one photo at a time
A decade ago Brandon Stanton began photographing and interviewing random strangers on the streets of New York; since then he's taken his camera around the world, making the human connections we need now more than ever.
Charlie Mackesy's lessons in kindness
Through whimsical sketches and simple, yet sage, advice, the British artist's bestselling "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" manages to distill what's most important about life, including kindness, empathy, perseverance and love
Los Angeles bookstore thriving amid pandemic
While many bookstores are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, one bookstore in Los Angeles is booming like never before. "Eso Won," a landmark bookstore in Leimert Park, is seeing a surge of readers dropping by looking for literature on race and social justice. Lilia Luciano has more.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" author on his books
Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books have sold a stunning 250 million copies, and generated four movies. The celebrated author is currently out with his fifteenth book in the series, along with a slew of off-shoots. Jeff Glor caught up with Kinney on his recent socially-distanced tour.
Book excerpt: The origin story of Estée Lauder, from "The Company I Keep"
Leonard Lauder writes of how his mother founded a company that would become a global behemoth, starting with beauty creams cooked up in the kitchen
Steve Martin and Harry Bliss on the concise joy of cartoons
The multi-talented comic can now claim "cartoonist" for his resume, collaborating with New Yorker illustrator Harry Bliss on a collection of humorous one-panel gems, "A Wealth of Pigeons"
Independent booksellers write a new chapter during COVID-19
Bookstores like the Strand in New York and EyeSeeMe in St. Louis are finding ways to cope during the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to a community of readers that wants them to survive
Lenny Kravitz on finding his voice
The Grammy-winning singer, with an introspective new memoir, "Let Love Rule," talks about his struggles with identity, the road to rock stardom, and his extended, blended family
Book Excerpt: "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life"
The latest book by bestselling historian Jonathan Alter is the first full-length biography of the 39th president
Entertainment
Entertainment
Extended interview: Doja Cat
In this web exclusive, the rapper and singer known as Doja Cat talks with Michelle Miller about her new album "Vie" (to be released Sept. 26). She also discusses her social media presence and admits she is "a bit of an oversharer."
Doja Cat: "I'm very proud of the music I'm making now"
The 29-year-old Grammy-winner known as Doja Cat is once again mixing up her look and her sound. She talks with Michelle Miller about her new album, "Vie" (to be released Sept. 26); how she was inspired to create music while growing up in an ashram; and how this "rapper that makes pop music" doesn't cut herself a break.
Priscilla Presley writes about her life after Elvis in "Softly, as I Leave You"
In her new book, Priscilla Presley writes what she calls her final telling of what it was like to be a queen to the King, and what came after.
Extended interview: Priscilla Presley
In this web exclusive, Priscilla Presley talks with Lee Cowan about writing her memoir, "Softly, as I Leave You: Life After Elvis," in which she recounts her life following her divorce from Elvis Presley.
Priscilla Presley writes about her life after Elvis
In her new book, "Softly, as I Leave You: Life After Elvis," Priscilla Presley writes what she calls her final telling of what it was like to be a queen to the King, and what came after. She talks with Lee Cowan about why she and Elvis Presley divorced when she was 28 years old. She also discusses acting in "Dallas" and "The Naked Gun" films, and losing Lisa Marie Presley, the only child she had with Elvis.
Passage: In memoriam
"Sunday Morning" remembers some of the notable figures who left us this week, including musician and songwriter Sonny Curtis.
Robert Redford: An appreciation
Lee Cowan looks back on the actor, director, independent film advocate and environmental activist, who died this past week at age 89. [Watch our interviews with Redford from 1994, 2006 and 2018.]
Robert Redford: An appreciation
Lee Cowan looks back on the actor, director, independent film advocate and environmental activist, who died this past week at age 89.
Dwayne Johnson on tackling a dramatic role in "The Smashing Machine"
The action movie star, who tapped into some childhood trauma to play mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr in his new film, reveals that he told costar Emily Blunt and director Benny Safdie he was scared to take on the dramatic role.
Extended interview: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
In this web exclusive, the actor and former wrestler talks with Tracy Smith about his new film, "The Smashing Machine."
Dwayne Johnson on "The Smashing Machine"
Action movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson says he tapped into some childhood trauma to play mixed martial arts & UFC fighter Mark Kerr in the new film "The Smashing Machine." He reveals to Tracy Smith that he told costar Emily Blunt and director Benny Safdie he was scared to take on the role, and talks about where he finds peace nowadays: his own fishing hole.
From the archives: Sonny Curtis – from Buddy Holly to Mary Tyler Moore
Musician and songwriter Sonny Curtis, who was an early bandmate of Buddy Holly, and who penned "Love Is All Around" (the theme song of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"), died on Sept. 19, 2025 at age 88. In this Jan. 9, 2022 "Sunday Morning" profile, Mo Rocca talked with Curtis about a career during which he truly made it after all.
Sonny Curtis, who wrote "Mary Tyler Moore Show" theme, dies at 88
Sonny Curtis died Friday, his wife of more than a half-century, Louise Curtis, confirmed to The Associated Press.
Book excerpt: "Softly, as I Leave You: Life After Elvis" by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
In her new memoir, the widow of Elvis Presley writes of what she lost when she divorced the King, and how she found herself – as a single mother, businesswoman and actress.
Maren Morris performs "Running"
Maren Morris released her first self-written album when she was 15 years old, but her big break came when "My Church" topped charts and won her a Grammy. Last month, Morris released the deluxe version of her new album "Dreamsicle." Here's Maren Morris performing "Running."