Complete book coverage for Sunday, May 10, 2009

YA mysteries by Robert B. Parker (left), John Green, Caroline B. Cooney and John C. Ford

Two fascinating, differing approaches to the lives behind the 1930s outlaw legends.

The seminal science fiction writer just won another Nebula award, and her themes about the environment, politics and feminism are still fresh.

The sources of L. Frank Baum’s Oz story, and a spirited defense of fantasy literature by one of its most successful practitioners.

Lives of an Australian aborigine, an Arctic explorer’s wife and Charles Dickens intertwine.

The story of manga, through the eyes of an artist who has lived its entire history.

A writer remembers her childhood writing room in Iran.

An intimate portrait of Pete Seeger.

The mysteries of the sea; the mysteris of human relationships.

Fiction weeks on list1.First Family by David Baldacci (Grand Central: $27.99) A child is kidnapped from a birthday party held at Camp David.2 2.Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown: $19.99) Bella must choose between her lover and a friend, between life and death.42 3.Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith (Pantheon: $23.95) In the latest installment of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Precious Ramotswe finds herself in need of her own detection talents.1 4.Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney (Amulet: $12.95) Greg’s dad enlists him in sports to toughen him up.155.The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Dial Press: $22) A writer corresponds with islanders after German occupation.396.Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown: $22.99) The final book in the “Twilight” saga finds Bella choosing immortality.397.Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark (Simon & Schuster: $25.95) The case of a man accused of murdering his wife reveals a medical phenomenon.28.The 8th Confession by James Patterson (Little, Brown : $27.99) The murders of a priest and high society couple test the limits of the Women’s Murder Club.19.Long Lost by Harlan Coben (Dutton: $27.95) Private eye Myron Bolitar takes the case of a woman accused of murdering her ex.5 10.The Associate by John Grisham (Doubleday: $27.95) A law school grad’s dark secret is used to blackmail him into stealing files from a law firm, putting his life in danger.13 11.Little Bee by Chris Cleave (Simon & Schuster: $24) The lives of two married British journalists and a Nigerian teenager collide. 8 12.The Host by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown: $25.99) Aliens take over the minds of humans. 36 13.The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Knopf: $24.95) A journalist explores the cold-case disappearance of a Swedish teen heiress. 14 14.The Women by T.C.

Fiction 1. Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri ($15) 2. The Shack by William P. Young ($14.99) 3.

Author and literary events for the week of May 10, 2009