In which the author explains how books about real life are better than fiction.

First editions from her grandmother feature prominently in Jennifer Gilmore’s library.

Rich Cohen charges headlong at his subjects, from cover to cover.

A reformed comedian finds her voice in fiction.

A reformed slob turned Dewey-Decimal devotee.

Breakin’ rules, praisin’ Faulkner and raisin’ chickens.

Life is one big experiment for the ever-so-rational A. J. Jacobs.

Kathryn Harrison offers some book picks and advice on hypnotizing bunnies.

Saïd Sayrafiezadeh can and does judge books by their covers.

Landscape architect Diana Balmori’s shelves mix the radical with the practical.

Michael Showalter’s debut is all about the funny.

David Goodwillie tackles two of his favorite subjects, radicalism and New York.

Anne Trubek curates Dave Cullen.

Best-selling author Julie Klam talks dogs, Maus and baseball.

From sex cults to black metal, DC Pierson finds books naughty and nice at PowerHouse Arena.

Comics vets Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón talk about their new graphic biography.

…and some secret books.

For Jennifer 8. Lee, reading a Kindle is like eating Chinese food.

Mary Gaitskill takes a stand against literary snobbery.

Debut novelist and blogger Ken Wheaton’s shelves are a lot like his recipe for gumbo.

The reading series that dares to be different.

Stacking up with Susan Orlean, A. J. Jacobs, Darin Strauss and Laurie Sandell