Book excerpt: "Tartufo" by Kira Jane Buxton
In her new novel, the author of "Hollow Kingdom" and "Feral Creatures" captures the comedy of truffle-mania in a tiny Tuscan village, upon the discovery of the world's largest truffle.
Books
Book excerpt: "Paradise Bronx: The Life and Times of New York's Greatest Borough"
New Yorker writer Ian Frazier takes readers on a twisty and entertaining tour of the Bronx's rich history, landscape and people.
Steve Guttenberg talks the L.A. wildfires, and caring for his hero dad
As the Palisades Fire exploded in his hometown, the actor was moving abandoned cars so emergency vehicles could get through. He spoke about the importance of making a difference; and about caring for his late father, Stanley, whom he calls his "anchor."
Perle Mesta, the renowned social queen of Washington
Socialite Perle Mesta used her fortune to host inclusive dinner parties in Washington, D.C., becoming one of the most famous women in the world – "The Hostess with the Mostes' on the Ball."
Book excerpt: "Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero" by Steve Guttenberg
In his memoir the actor writes of his father and the relationship they shared, through their final years together, when Guttenberg dedicated himself to becoming a caregiver after his dad was diagnosed with kidney failure.
Book excerpt: "The Party: A Guide to Adventurous Entertaining" by Sally Quinn
In her 1997 book, the Washington Post columnist writes about the social imperatives for entertaining, and how the role of host and hostess in the nation's political capital has remained vitally important.
Book excerpt: "Fire Weather" by John Vaillant
This 2023 National Book Award finalist recounts the rise of climate science and the increasing dangers from climate change, including the devastation brought by today's wildfires.
Book excerpt: Washington hostess Perla Mesta, "The Woman Who Knew Everyone"
Bestselling author Meryl Gordon's biography tells the story of the socialite and political savant, whose gift for hosting parties in the nation's capital made her one of the most famous women in America.
Brooke Shields on aging: "I'm at the beginning of a new, really exciting stage"
Now nearly 60, the model and actress was recently elected president of Actors' Equity, and launched Commence, her beauty brand for women over 40. She's also written her fourth book, "Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old,"
Book excerpt: "Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old"
The actress and New York Times bestselling memoirist returns with a new book about the empowerment that comes from calling out society's callous and short-sighted expectations of women as they age.
The Book Report: Ron Charles on the best books of 2024
The Washington Post book reviewer offers his picks for some of "the best of the best" fiction and non-fiction of the year.
Book excerpt: "I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition" by Lucy Sante
A brave and timely memoir that describes Lucy Sante's life and the struggle to be true to herself, and her decision - at age 66 - to announce that she was transgender.
Book excerpt: "The Hidden Globe: How Wealth Hacks the World" by Atossa Araxia Abrahamian
The journalist-editor explains how special economic zones, tax havens, and free ports are carving up the planet for the highest bidders – and leaving millions of people worse off.
Werner Herzog keeps working, predicts: "You'll have to carry me out from a set feet first"
The visionary director talks about his recent memoir, "Every Man for Himself and God Against All"; the epic making of his 1982 classic, "Fitzcarraldo"; and why he likes playing villains.
Angela Merkel on Putin, Trump, and a post-Cold War world still divided
After a childhood behind the Iron Curtain, Angela Merkel served as Chancellor of a united Germany for 16 years, becoming the most powerful woman in the world while dealing with its most powerful men. She talks about her new book, "Freedom: Memoirs 1954-2021."
More From Sunday Morning
Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber on addressing challenges facing higher education
Universities have found themselves under pressure from President Trump – from blocked funds for research, to attacks on their admission policies and diversity programs. Princeton's president says, "The stakes are really high."
George Clooney on "Jay Kelly," fame and family
In his latest film, George Clooney plays a familiar role – one of the world's biggest movie stars – who nonetheless tries to reconcile professional success and his personal shortcomings.
Dealing with the crushing costs of child care
For some, the high cost of child care in the U.S. is a higher expense than rents and mortgages, or even in-state college tuition, and has pushed tens of thousands of women out of the workforce this year alone.
Salman Rushdie on "The Eleventh Hour" and free speech
The author talks about his first fiction published since the 2022 attack that nearly killed him; his own immigrant experience in the U.S.; and what happens when freedom of speech dies.
Ken Burns on America's origin story: "The most important event since the birth of Christ"
The documentary filmmaker, long a chronicler of the American experience, talks about his latest film for PBS, "The American Revolution," and why the end of the Revolutionary War did not mean the end of our nation's revolution.
The Book Report: Ron Charles' latest picks (Nov. 2)
The Washington Post book reviewer offers highlights from fall's fiction and non-fiction releases.
Book excerpt: "The Wayfinder" by Adam Johnson
The Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winner returns with an epic tale set in Polynesia a thousand years in the past.
Book excerpt: "1929" by Andrew Ross Sorkin
The New York Times financial columnist's new book looks back to Wall Street's most catastrophic market collapse.
Book excerpt: "Love, Sex, and Frankenstein" by Caroline Lea
The author of "The Glass Woman" returns with a gripping reimagining of how young Mary Shelley created her classic horror novel.
Book excerpt: "A Guardian and a Thief" by Megha Majumdar
A National Book Award finalist, Megha Majumdar's novel is set in India in a climate-ravaged near-future.