The Big Short, by Michael Lewis

A:  The Writers House      P:  Norton     C:  Money

NYT:  1      USAT:  1     PW:  1

The real estate crash is still haunting us, but hopefully we can learn something from what happened. Michael Lewis, who manages to make a interesting narrative out of nearly anything, does the same with complex economic and political situations. You might have been evicted from your home due to your adjustable rate mortgage, but at least reading about how you got there might be entertaining.

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, by Chelsea Handler

A: Michael Broussard P: Grand Central C: Humor

NYT: 2 USAT: 2 PW: 2

Chelsea Handler's foul, sex and booze charged humor might not be for the faint of heart, but it's clear she has a sizable audience even beyond the limits of her basic cable talk show. She's funny and people like funny things, so it's no particular surprise she's selling books.

Courage and Consequence, by Karl Rove

A: Williams & Connelly P: Threshold Editions C: Politics

NYT: 2 USAT: 2 PW: 2

While the section of Rove's political memoir on why Obama is wrong on healthcare might be a little outdated at this point, but there is something intriguing about the opportunity to see behind the curtain at the Wizard of the Bush Presidency. Rove doesn't really drop bombshells here, but if you're looking for a different perspective on the recent history of the Republican party, this might be a good choice to shelve near your Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity books.

The Pacific, by Hugh Ambrose

A: - P: NAL Caliber C: History

NYT: 3 USAT: 3 PW: 3

The son of noted historian Stephen Ambrose, Hugh was a consultant for his father for a long time before composing this companion piece to the HBO miniseries The Pacific. Looking at the stories of five men who fought for the United States on the Pacific front, Ambrose tells stories of courage and sacrifice that might have been forgotten otherwise.

Change Your Brain, Change Your Body, by Daniel G. Amen

A: Faith Hamlin P: Harmony C: Health

NYT: 2 USAT: 2 PW: 2

The problem you're having with your weight or your skin might not be the food you eat or the exercises you're doing (or not doing), but instead it could be your brain. Daniel G. Amen is one of those doctors you see on PBS on Saturday afternoons, so if that's the sort of expertise you're looking for, this might be your kind of book.

Game Change, by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann

A: - P: HarperCollins C: Politics

NYT: 10 USAT: 10 PW: 10

The 2008 election was crazy, and reporters Halperin and Heilemann were there for all of it. Learn more about the world surrounding Barack Obama, the McCain/Palin drama, and the first signs of the John Edwards debauchery debacle.

American Conspiracies, by Jesse Ventura and Dick Russell

A: Steve Schwartz P: Skyhorse C: Other

NYT: 2 USAT: 2 PW: 2

Jesse Ventura continues along the path of compiling the world's strangest resume, from Navy SEAL, to pro wrestler, to politican, now to a tv host/conspiracy theory proponent. That Ventura claims that the government was involved in the events of 9/11 probably tells you whether this book might be for you or not.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

A: Angharad Kowal P: Crown C: History

NYT: 7 USAT: 7 PW: 7

While most of the history books that hit the bestseller charts are generally different perspectives on events we're all familiar with (see The Pacific and Game Change), there are occasionally stories that break through that shine the light on events we're likely unfamiliar with. Henrietta Lacks had her cells unwillingly turned into a wildly successful medical product, while her family continued to live in poverty. While looking at larger issues of what we actually own about our own bodies, Skloot tells a fascinating story about one woman's place in medical innovation.

Have A Little Faith, by Mitch Albom

A:  David Black        P:  Hyperion       C:  Self Help/Improvement
NYT:  24     USAT:  25     PW:  -
A more cynical man than I might say that Mitch Albom is returning to the formula that made him famous with Tuesdays with Morrie, in which an older wise man teaches him the way to really live life, but I prefer to assume that the somewhat similar themes are more of a coincidence.  Albom looks at the lives of two religious figures in his life (a pastor and a rabbi) and ponders the deep questions in life.

No Apology, by Mitt Romney

A: Sally Richardson P: St. Martins C: Politics

NYT: 3 USAT: 3 PW: 3

The way Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, sees it, Barack Obama shouldn't have apologized for America's international influence. Romney uses his new book to argue that American power is a good thing for us and for the world as a whole. Unlike some conservatives, however, Romney does think our country could use some innovation and new ideas. It's clear Romney cares a lot about America's future, even if you might disagree on his method to improve that future.

Payback Time, by Phil Town

A: Bonnie Solow P: Crown C: Money

NYT: USAT: 2 PW: 3

I don't understand investing at all, so when the press release for a book mentions mutual funds and accumulating wealth, I just fade off into the distance mentally. If you're the sort that enjoys success and money, this book might be for you. At very least, Town seems like a successful guy.

Switch, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

A: Fletcher and Company P: Broadway C: Self Help

NYT: - USAT: 5 PW: 5

The Heaths are the sort that like to study ideas, and this is the sort of book that executives will have on their bookshelf or be seen reading in first class on the nation's airplane. What do people always say about change? People hate change, right? The Heaths see things differently, however, seeing that the rapid embrace of technology seems to indicate that people actually love change, when it's presented the right way. What can we learn from that? How can we apply those ideas to our lives and to our employees?