Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010 1:25 AM UTC

January books: DNA, drugs and Patti Smith

A reader's checklist for the first month of 2010

By Salon Staff

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Topics: Books to watch out for, Books, Entertainment News

Compiled by Salon staff, a short list of upcoming works to keep your eye on.

Nonfiction

The Harvard Psychedelic Club by Don Lattin
A history of the four people (Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, Andrew Weil) who helped launch America’s 1960s drug and sexual revolution.

Star: How Warren Beatty Seduced America by Peter Biskind
Vanity Fair contributor on the politically savvy and exacting actor (who also seduced Julie Christie, Natalie Wood and Madonna).

You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto by Jaron Lanier
A Silicon Valley pioneer on why the Web hasn’t lived up to its potential.

Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
Heavyweight political writers from New York magazine and Time magazine take on the 2008 election.

Freefall: America, Free Markets, and the Sinking of the World Economy by Joseph E. Stiglitz
Nobelist explains how America screwed up the world economy — and how we can fix it.

Daring Young Men: The Heroism and Triumph of the Berlin Airlift — June 1948-May 1949 by Richard Reeves
Columnist and presidential biographer on one of the pivotal moments of the Cold War.

The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine by Francis S. Collins
The new head of the National Institute of Health on what genetics will do for medicine.

Just Kids by Patti Smith
The music legend about bohemian life in New York City in the ’60s — and her friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe.

Fiction

Noah’s Compass by Anne Tyler
The author of “The Accidental Tourist” writes about a retired teacher and father of three grown daughters as he contemplates the end of his life.

Wild Child and Other Stories by T.C. Boyle
From the author of “World’s End,” a new collection of stories.

Fun With Problems by Robert Stone
From the National Book Award-winning author of “Dog Soldiers,” a new collection about addiction, sex and violence.

Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd
The latest from the praised author of “Restless.”

Salon Staff

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Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.
In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.
This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.
Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.
An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.
Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.
Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.
People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.
On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.
The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.
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