An expansive mix of medical reportage, history and memoir explores our relationship to pain.

Craig Childs explores archaeology’s ethical debates and the costs of discovering lost history.

This memoir of traveling Europe is not shy about reporting on sex, drinking marathons or personal humiliation.

An absorbing biography of a man who was an academic, a writer, a tattoo artist and an avid sexual adventurer in pre-Stonewall gay America.

In this first novel, a Somali orphan roams the world.

The hero of Alan Furst’s novel is devoted to ouzo, women and saving people from the Nazis — until they invade Greece.

No money for Venice or Machu Picchu? Try hitting the literary hot spots of Pottsville and Scranton.

Recently reviewed books of particular interest.

Featuring a conversation about Jonathan Franzen’s novel “Freedom”; and Suzanne Collins on her “Hunger Games” trilogy.

A Library of America collection showcases Shirley Jackson’s fascination with psychology, society and the terrors of everyday life.

In the dystopia of this wry first novel, a hierarchical society forces young bachelors to find brides — or else.

This chronicle of the innovative Voyager mission also ponders the nature and meaning of exploration itself.

A hapless teacher is hurled from one unsavory spot to the next in this fiercely satirical novel.

Paperback books of particular interest.

Does John Simon, who grew up in Belgrade and came to America at 15 (English is his fifth language), have an affinity for exiles?

Letters in response to Johann Hari’s review of “Churchill’s Empire.”

Letter in response to Pamela Paul’s essay “The Kids’ Books Are All Right.”

Letters in response to Blake Bailey’s review of “Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg: The Letters.”

Top 5 at a Glance
1. LEGO STAR WARS, by Simon Beecroft
2. STAR WARS, written and illustrated by Rufus Butler Seder
3. IT’S A BOOK, written and illustrated by Lane Smith
4. HOW ROCKET LEARNED TO READ, written and illustrated by Tad Hills
5. LADYBUG GIRL AT THE BEACH, by David Soman and Jacky Davis

Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES, by Gary Chapman
2. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING, by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
3. FOOD RULES, by Michael Pollan
4. THE BELLY FAT CURE, by Jorge Cruise
5. RADICAL, by David Platt