As a young sociology graduate student at the University of Chicago, Sudhir Venkatesh spent much of about seven years hanging out in and learning about a Chicago housing project and the Black Kings gang that dominated it. Gang Leader for a Day is one of the author's books recording these experiences. It is a gripping account of a slice of life most readers will never experience and contains significant insights into the workings of gangs and impoverished urban communities.

_{Cover Photo Courtesy Penguin}

Audrey Niffenegger's first novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, had such a unique premise and structure that it was difficult to imagine how she would follow it up. In Her Fearful Symmetry, Niffenegger once again takes a premise that sounds like it would be classified as science fiction or fantasy and writes it in such a way that it will appeal to those who do not normally read that genre. Indeed, even though Her Fearful Symmetry is a ghost story, at heart it is a story of family dynamics and love. It is a very satisfying second novel, and the perfect read for a cold November night.

• Read a complete review of Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
• Her Fearful Symmetry Book Club Discussion Questions

_{Cover Photo Courtesy Simon & Schuster}

November does not have as many releases as September and October, but there will be no shortage of novels from heavy hitters -- Michael Crichton's first post-mortem release, a collection of stories from John Grisham, a 1000+ page epic novel from Stephen King and an autobiography from Sarah Palin.

• November New Releases Calendar

_{Cover Photo Courtesy HarperCollins}

In a week and a half, Stephen King will release what is being heralded as a new masterpiece. Those new to King, however, might want to try something less daunting than the 1000+ page Under the Dome. We asked Stephen King fans what they think the best Stephen King book is. Curious?

Read their responses and weigh in with your own thoughts.

With so many books on the bestsellers lists, how can you decide which books would be good reads for your book club? This reading list provides fiction and nonfiction recommendations complete with links to reviews and book club questions for a year of interesting and varied book club reading.

Let's just get the cliched statement out there: Nick Hornby returns with a novel that deals with a stripped down view of love. (Ha!) The universal question he addresses in Juliet, Naked: Can people honestly attain love and keep it when the truth is laid bare? Oh, and can someone who borderline psychotically loves a pop artist ever truly love anyone else as much?

• Read a complete review of Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
• Juliet, Naked Book Club Discussion Questions

_{Cover Photo Courtesy Riverhead}

Last week Walmart announced that it would pre-sell 10 of the hottest books of the season for $10 each, and include free shipping if you purchase the books online. Amazon.com announced a price match almost immediately, which caused Walmart to lower the price on these books to $8.98. This means you can get Stephen King's new book in hardcover for 74% off the cover price!

As a buyer, I rejoice at discounts; however, some in the publishing industry worry about this trend. John Grisham's publicist told The New York Times, "If readers come to believe that the value of a new book is $10, publishing as we know it is over," said David Gernert, Mr. Grisham's literary agent. "If you can buy Stephen King's new novel or John Grisham's Ford County for $10, why would you buy a brilliant first novel for $25? I think we underestimate the effect to which extremely discounted bestsellers take the consumer's attention away from emerging writers."

Similarly, this kind of discounting affects independent booksellers, who cannot afford to take a loss just to get customers in the doors.

So, what do you think? Excited about the big discounts or nervous about the long term effects on what gets published?

Here is a list of the ten books Walmart is selling for $8.98: Going Rogue by Sarah Palin, Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb, The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, Ford County by John Grisham, Under the Dome by Stephen King, Ice by Linda Howard, I, Alex Cross by James Patterson, First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher, Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton, and Breathless by Dean Koontz.

SuperFreakonomics, the sequel to the bestselling Freakonomics, comes out today. Like the original, it is a provocative collection of surprising stories and observations: Prostitution has declined over the years not because society has become more moral, but because more women have sex for free; you may not be able to recognize a terrorist by simply looking at a person, but a fairly reliable terrorist profile exists; a drunk walker is eight times more likely to get killed than a drunk driver. Unifying this seemingly random collection of observations are the themes that incentives matter and unintended consequences are commonplace. While the evidence supporting some of the claims seems dubious, if you enjoyed Freakonomics, you will probably enjoy SuperFreakonomics as well.

• Read a complete review of SuperFreakonomics

_{Cover Photo Courtesy HarperCollins}

Kathleen Kent's debut novel, The Heretic's Daughter, tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials. It's a story that's been told many times before, but Kent manages to bring fresh passion and urgency to the tragic hysteria that gripped New England in 1692.

• Read a complete review of The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
• The Heretic's Daughter Book Club Discussion Questions

_{Cover Photo Courtesy Little Brown}

Recently I had the chance to interview Uwem Akpan, author of Oprah's latest book club pick, Say You're One of Them. Akpan is not only an author, he is also a Jesuit priest. We some of the themes that emerged from Say You're One of Them, including Americans' relationship to Africa and belief in God in the midst of suffering.

• Read a complete interview with Uwem Akpan
• Read a review of Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan
• Say You're One of Them Book Club Discussion Questions

_{Cover Photo Courtesy Little, Brown}