msnbc.com: Books

Brother West: ‘Being true to the funk of living’

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:37:18 GMT

“Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud,” a poignant new memoir by educator and philosopher Cornel West, illuminates what it means to live as “an aspiring bluesman in a world of ideas and a jazzman in the life of the mind.” Here is an excerpt.

Cornel West - Philosophy - Funk - Loving Out Loud - Brother West

‘Viagra Diaries’ explores dating among 60+ set

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:18:35 GMT

A torrid affair in their 70s? It happens in “The Viagra Diaries,” a novel by Barbara Rose Brooker that shows love is altogether possible in the Viagra generation. Here is an excerpt.

Fiction - Shopping - Books - Sildenafil - Advice

Murder, he wrote: Al Roker pens mystery novel

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:24:00 GMT

“Write what you know” is the traditional advice to fledgling writers — so TODAY show co-host Al Roker did just that, choosing network TV as the setting for his first piece of fiction, “The Morning Show Murders.”

Crime fiction - Arts - Al Roker - Writers Resources - Murder

Al Roker’s new mystery novel asks, who did it?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:27 GMT

In Al Roker's first fiction book, “The Morning Show Murders,” celebrity chef and TV morning show host Billy Blessing is the prime suspect after his producer is found dead after eating at his restaurant. Can he stay alive and prove his innocence or will he become tomorrow's breaking news? An excerpt.

Mystery - Television - Al Roker - Arts - Fiction

Over 50? Simple secrets to grow younger

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:15:18 GMT

Want to preserve your youth well into your 50s? "Old is the New Young" offers tips (take a dance class! volunteer!) to keep key aspects of your life — mental, physical, social and financial —thriving as you age.

Dance - Youth - Arts - Performing Arts - Modern

Carl Reiner yucks it up in 'Just Desserts'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:47:10 GMT

Read an excerpt of the award-winning actor's latest novel.

Carl Reiner - Arts - Fiction - book - Shopping

What was the greatest moment in sports history?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:50:51 GMT

In his new book, "The Greatest Moments in Sports," veteran sportscaster Len Berman looks back at the players and games that made history. In this excerpt, he writes about the game that wins the title of being the all-time greatest in American sports.

Sport - Len Berman - United States - Games - Video Games

Video: Book chronicles most beautiful sights

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:59:53 GMT

Nov. 20: TODAY’s Ann Curry talks with Time magazine’s Jeff Kluger about the new book “Great Discoveries: Explorations That Changed History.” (Today Show)

Ann Curry - Time - Today - Arts - History

Alex Cross is back in Patterson’s latest thriller

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:39:04 GMT

Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found murdered. He vows to hunt down her killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. An excerpt.

Washington - alexcross - Thriller - Sports - Crime

Palin offers readers insight into ’08 ups, downs

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:50:14 GMT

Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin offers readers a front-row seat to the ups and downs of Campaign 2008 in her new book, going into detail over her continual bumping of heads with John McCain’s staff. She also extends an offer to Hillary Clinton.

Sarah Palin - John McCain presidential campaign 2008 - United States - Hillary Rodham Clinton - Vice President of the United States

Video: Bobbi Brown’s dad pens kids’ book

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:06:12 GMT

Nov. 18: TODAY beauty editor Bobbi Brown joins her father, Joe, to talk about his children’s book, “The Flights of Marceau.” (Today Show)

Children's literature - Bobbi Brown - Children - Arts - Today

Video: A look at intimate moments with jazz artists

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:11:15 GMT

Nov. 13: TODAY’s Ann Curry talks to writer and Duke professor Sam Stephenson about his book, “The Jazz Loft Project,” which features photos from legendary photographer W. Eugene Smith. (Today Show)

Jazz - Jazz Loft Project - Music - W. Eugene Smith - Photographer

Ali Vincent on going from fat to ‘Biggest Loser’

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:36:32 GMT

In her memoir, the first female “Biggest Loser” winner reveals her intimate story of personal and physical transformation. Facing problems with food, family, stress and self-esteem, Vincent retraces the path that led to her unhealthy habits and a damaging relationship with food. An excerpt.

Biggest Loser - Ali Vincent - Health - Mental Health - Television

Andre Agassi: I have the body of an old man

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:37:31 GMT

In his memoir, “Open,” the tennis star reveals that he used crystal meth and avoided punishment for failing a drug test. In this excerpt, he writes about the physical and emotional pain he feels.

Former Miss California: I was smeared

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:25:09 GMT

In her memoir, "Still Standing," the former Miss California recounts her infamous response about gay marriage at the 2009 Miss USA competition. An excerpt.

How dog poop led to love for Paula Deen

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 14:55:55 GMT

In his book "My Delicious Life With Paula Deen," Michael Groover, the famous Southern chef's husband, shares the dirt on what brought the two of them together. An excerpt.

Racing to save Earth’s most endangered species

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:58:36 GMT

In his new book “100 Heartbeats,” conservationist and television host Jeff Corwin provides an urgent portrait of wildlife that is teetering on the brink of extinction — and spells out what can be done about it. Here is an excerpt.

Video: Harden unveils ‘Big Book of Dreams’

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:51:50 GMT

Nov. 6: Actress Marcia Gay Harden unveils the world’s largest children’s book, Carnival's “Big Book of Dreams.” (Today Show)

Lupica’s latest book: ‘Million-Dollar Throw’

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:33:07 GMT

In Mike Lupica's new novel, 13-year-old Nate Brodie goes to buy a Tom Brady autographed football and wins the chance of a lifetime — to throw a pass through a target at a Patriots game on national TV. The prize? One million dollars. An excerpt.

How one mom learned to translate baby cries

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:15:42 GMT

Your infant is screaming and nothing you do seems to satisfy her. In her book, "Child Sense," child development expert Priscilla J. Dunstan shares how to decode your baby's crying. In this excerpt, she writes about how she learned the language.

Grisham back in ‘Ford County’ for short stories

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:12:13 GMT

In his first collection of short stories, John Grisham returns to Ford County, Miss., the setting of his first novel, "A Time to Kill." In this story, Inez Graney and her two older sons take a bizarre trip through the Delta to visit the youngest Graney brother, who's been locked away on death row for 11 years. An excerpt.

Video: Stars open up in ‘Proust Questionnaire’

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:59:19 GMT

Nov. 5: TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks to Graydon Carter of Vanity Fair magazine about the new book “Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire,” which is a compilation of prominent figures’ answers to a series of questions. (Today Show)

Alan Thicke on raising kids who won’t hate you

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:24:56 GMT

Kids will be kids — and most of the time, kids will hate their parents at some point. In “How to Raise Kids Who Won’t Hate You,” “Growing Pains” dad Alan Thicke offers humorous advice on the art of parenting. An excerpt.

Book excerpt: Testimony of an abortion addict

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:31:56 GMT

In her book “Impossible Motherhood: Testimony of an Abortion Addict,” editor and literary agent Irene Vilar shares her controversial story of having had 15 abortions in 15 years. In this excerpt, she writes about coming to terms with her addiction and shares what compelled her cycle of destructive behavior.

Video: Obama had ‘audacity to win,’ insider says

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:26:31 GMT

Nov. 3: David Plouffe, President Obama’s campaign manager during last year’s campaigns, talks to TODAY’s Meredith Vieira about today’s elections and his new book, “The Audacity to Win.” (Today Show)

‘Full House’ star writes about meth, coke binges

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 14:23:57 GMT

Jodie Sweetin grew up in front of America as Stephanie Tanner on "Full House." More than a decade after the show ended, Sweetin revealed that she was recovering from a meth addiction. The truth, she writes in "Unsweetined," was that all the while she was telling people about overcoming her battle with drugs, she was still using. An excerpt.

Parents share diary of child’s cancer battle

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:44:17 GMT

Elena Desserich was diagnosed with brain cancer at 5 years old. She began to hide hundreds of little notes around the house for her parents, Brooke and Keith, to find after she was gone. In "Notes Left Behind," her parents share the journal entries they kept during her battle, as well as content from the notes left by Elena. An excerpt.

How America can get 'Smart on Crime'

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:24:21 GMT

How can we successfully rehabilitate prisoners? Or better use technology to solve crimes? In her new book "Smart on Crime," San Francisco's District Attorney Kamala Harris examines how our society can reform our broken criminal justice system.

Slide show: Children of war

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:17:08 GMT

Photographer Bobby Sager captures the pain and surprisingly joyous moments of kids in conflict regions.

Hulk Hogan: Why I almost killed myself

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:23:30 GMT

In his new book, “My Life Outside the Ring,” the wrestling star writes about the events — his son’s car accident, his wife’s filing for divorce and more — that led him to put a gun to his head and almost pull the trigger.

‘A History of Ghosts’ explores paranormal past

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:30:23 GMT

Few “Ghostbusters” fans realize that the film was inspired by co-star Dan Aykroyd's family history in paranormal research. His father's new book, “A History of Ghosts,” is a part history, part family narrative that tells the tale that inspired the film. An excerpt.

A month of giving helped her deal with MS

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:29:13 GMT

When Cami Walker found out she had multiple sclerosis, she became depressed, sleepless and was in constant pain. Then an old friend offered some advice: Stop thinking about yourself, stop dwelling on your pain, and start giving away 29 gifts in 29 days.

A twin’s struggle to be ‘One and the Same’

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:45:46 GMT

In her new book "One and the Same," author Abigail Pogrebin takes an unsparing look at the joys and sorrows of being a twin. Read an excerpt of her interviews with TODAY correspondent (and famous twin) Tiki Barber.

Susie Essman offers up hilarious health advice

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:16:47 GMT

A stand-up comedian for 25 years and a star on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” for seven seasons, Susie Essman is now serving up her special brand of hilarity in book form. Here is an excerpt from “What Would Susie Say? Bullsh-- Wisdom About Love, Life and Comedy.”

Al’s Book Club for kids: ‘Mountain Meets the Moon’

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:38:24 GMT

The latest book club pick tells the story of a young girl who, inspired by her father's folktales, journeys to find the Old Man on the Moon and ask him to help her struggling family. An excerpt.

Seriously! Beer sparked Norm’s ‘Cheers’ career

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:54:18 GMT

In his new book “Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer,” George Wendt celebrates his favorite beverage and shares stories about the time he spent on various TV shows. This excerpt provides insights into the origins of the hit series “Cheers.”

Suzanne Somers works to ‘Knockout’ cancer

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:35:56 GMT

The actress and New York Times best-selling author has had her fair share of experience with cancer. Now, in her new book, “Knockout,” she shares her story and interviews with doctors about treatment options.

Quiz: Test your smarts about children’s health

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:39:46 GMT

In this fourth installment of the "Intellectual Devotional" series, authors Noah Oppenheim and David Kidder have partnered with doctor Bruce K. Young to offer a year’s worth of medical wisdom. Take this quiz and find out how much you know about children's health.

Jimmy Carter: How volunteering gave me joy

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:11:20 GMT

"If I Had a Hammer" recounts poignant stories about the nonprofit group Habitat for Humanity and the work it has done to build homes. In this excerpt, President Jimmy Carter writes about his experiences and shares why the organization is so important to him.

‘K2’: Anatomy of a deadly climbing expedition

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:34:00 GMT

Ed Viesturs, the first American to climb the world's three highest mountains, dissects the tragedies and triumphs of K2, the second-highest mountain. In this excerpt, he analyzes the 2008 K2 disaster, in which 11 mountaineers died while on an expedition.

Capt. ‘Sully’ flies into details of ‘Highest Duty’

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:05:05 GMT

When Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, he became one of the most famous pilots in the country. In his memoir, “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters,” he reveals the lessons that prepared him for the landing.

Video: Peek into historic Hearst estate

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:04:11 GMT

Oct. 15: TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks with Victoria Kastner about her new book “Hearst’s San Simeon: The Gardens and the Land,” which takes readers inside the Pacific palace of millionaire publisher William Randolph Hearst. (Today Show)

Richard Belzer: ‘I Am Not a Psychic!’

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 18:17:58 GMT

The "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star plays the main character in his new novel, "I Am Not a Psychic!" "The Belz," as he’s called, is back and ready to solve the case of a beautiful young movie star who died 26 years earlier. An excerpt

Video: How to savor your life

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:16:03 GMT

Oct. 13: TODAY’s Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford talk to author Mireille Guiliano about her new book, “Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire.” (Today Show)

Jim Cramer: How to invest in current economy

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:33:33 GMT

In his new book, "Getting Back to Even," Jim Cramer, with "Mad Money" head writer Cliff Mason, offers a wholly new, even radical approach to investing in the new postapocalyptic financial climate. An excerpt.

Help! I'm buried in bills and my credit is bad

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:32:46 GMT

Jean Chatzky helps solve your money woes in her book “Pay It Down.”

msnbc.com: Books

Brother West: ‘Being true to the funk of living’

‘Viagra Diaries’ explores dating among 60+ set

Sponsored By:

Murder, he wrote: Al Roker pens mystery novel

Al Roker’s new mystery novel asks, who did it?

Over 50? Simple secrets to grow younger

Carl Reiner yucks it up in 'Just Desserts'

What was the greatest moment in sports history?

Video: Book chronicles most beautiful sights

Alex Cross is back in Patterson’s latest thriller

Palin offers readers insight into ’08 ups, downs

Video: Bobbi Brown’s dad pens kids’ book

Video: A look at intimate moments with jazz artists

Ali Vincent on going from fat to ‘Biggest Loser’

Andre Agassi: I have the body of an old man

Former Miss California: I was smeared

How dog poop led to love for Paula Deen

Racing to save Earth’s most endangered species

Video: Harden unveils ‘Big Book of Dreams’

Lupica’s latest book: ‘Million-Dollar Throw’

How one mom learned to translate baby cries

Sponsored By:

Grisham back in ‘Ford County’ for short stories

Video: Stars open up in ‘Proust Questionnaire’

Alan Thicke on raising kids who won’t hate you

Book excerpt: Testimony of an abortion addict

Video: Obama had ‘audacity to win,’ insider says

‘Full House’ star writes about meth, coke binges

Parents share diary of child’s cancer battle

How America can get 'Smart on Crime'

Slide show: Children of war

Hulk Hogan: Why I almost killed myself

‘A History of Ghosts’ explores paranormal past

A month of giving helped her deal with MS

A twin’s struggle to be ‘One and the Same’

Susie Essman offers up hilarious health advice

Al’s Book Club for kids: ‘Mountain Meets the Moon’

Seriously! Beer sparked Norm’s ‘Cheers’ career

Suzanne Somers works to ‘Knockout’ cancer

Quiz: Test your smarts about children’s health

Jimmy Carter: How volunteering gave me joy

‘K2’: Anatomy of a deadly climbing expedition

Sponsored By:

Capt. ‘Sully’ flies into details of ‘Highest Duty’

Video: Peek into historic Hearst estate

Richard Belzer: ‘I Am Not a Psychic!’

Video: How to savor your life

Jim Cramer: How to invest in current economy

Help! I'm buried in bills and my credit is bad