State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America

A collection of 50 writers writing about our 50 states, "State by State" was inspired by the much larger and more complex WPA American Guide series of the Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s. The editors hoped that on a smaller scale, it would capture some "simple American virtues, the essential looseness of American lives, the vitality and variety of American vistas, the cut and jib of American talk." It does that and more. You know the states (or should; maybe it's time to test yourself). As for the writers, here are some you might recognize: Dave Eggers, John Hodgman, Barry Hannah, Jacki Lyden, Sarah Vowell, Anthony Bourdain and Louise Erdrich. Here's a kick: Three writers wanted to do New Jersey. Bourdain won. Who knew? Philip Connors does Minnesota. He grew up here, now lives in New Mexico. I'd never read him before. I hope this isn't the last time I do. Also included are 50 photos and 30 tables. Minnesota ranks 21st in population and third in both binge alcohol consumption and lowest monthly temperature. Maybe those last two go together; whadda ya think? If you find a way to have more fun for 30 bucks, let me know.

ROBERT ARMSTRONG, EDITOR, SPORTS

One great big guilty pleasure -- that's what this book is. Candace Bushnell, author of "Sex and the City," delivers again with this deliciously decadent New York story. The action circles around five women who have nearly nothing in common except the turn-of-the-century art deco apartment building at One Fifth Avenue in which they live -- or aspire to live. Some of the women have certain men in common (therein lie the naughty bits) and all of the women have money in common, whether it's new money, old money, "I need more money" or "I will have money at any cost." Bushnell has a sharp eye for detail, from the smell of the grimy Avenue C apartment above a Chinese restaurant where the sulky new-media genius (having an affair with the 22-year-old sex-kitten girlfriend of the aging screenwriter) lives, to the $3,000 designer slacks worn by the former do-good sensible lawyer wife of the maniacal hedge-fund manager. Literary masterpiece? No. Good story and hard to put down? Exactly.

SHERRI HILDEBRANDT, NEWS COPY EDITOR