Valentine's Day lures him from the darkness.

A Table Talker remembers the woman who gave him the gift of music, and a voice in the grotto.

Does it inform the public -- or put girls at risk?

Former playmate Holly Madison's book claims Hugh Hefner attempted to buy her loyalty in his will

A semester in Florence shapes a young writer's life.

The Texas congressman is endorsing the idea of privatizing the fight against piracy by returning to the good old days of letters of marque.

The pontiff's first foreign trip since the priest sex abuse scandals broke marks an important test

"She gives up her voice for a man" isn't a valid critique of Disney's Ariel in the year 2023 – and it never was

Remembering the Playboy founder's life, as told in Salon

Jeffrey Eugenides and Yann Martel return, Jon Stewart and Bob Dylan stay strong, and Philip Roth makes it onto the list. But Dan Brown stubbornly remains on top.

Jon Stewart falls off the list, but Bill Bryson, David Sedaris and -- of course -- Dan Brown continue to reign over the last top 20 of 2004.

Peter Jackson's trilogy was embraced by critics and made a kazillion bucks. So where's the decade-end love?

Lemony Snicket unseats Dan Brown! Plus, Jon Stewart, Stephen King and Neal Stephenson make it onto the list, courtesy of Powell's.

Democracy works! -- at least on bestseller lists. Jon Stewart regains the No. 1 spot, and George Carlin makes his debut.