Glenn C. Altschuler, 12/05/12

Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Professor of American Studies and Vice President for University Relations at Cornell University

Employing, at times, its own legal jargon, Boilerplate is not an easy read. But Radin makes a compelling case that boilerplate constitutes a clear and present danger to our core values.

Nick Kolakowski, 12/04/12

Editor and freelance writer

The following graphic novels all helped the medium gain that elusive respect, by offering narratives that qualify as fine literature, combined with artwork that's frame-worthy. And yes, some do feature superheroes in spandex.

Christina Pesoli, 12/05/12

Writer, Founder "Emotional Hardbody Divorce Boot Camp"

Refusing to update either of these texts with information we learn along the way damns them to obsolescence. But keeping them current offers them new life and enables them to continue to inspire us by connecting us with our past, present and future.

Rym Tina Ghazal, 12/05/12

Published author, senior journalist and "Single in the City" columnist, The National, Abu Dhabi

Some might say this is the last thing Syrians need now; that what they need are basic necessities like water, food and a safe home. But any diversion from an ugly and harsh reality -- if only for a few minutes -- could do wonders.

Dave Astor, 12/04/12

Author, 'Comic (and Column) Confessional'

Most of the books I just placed in categories of humor, violence, racial interactions, and weirdness are multidimensional works that also address poverty, romantic relationships, the mythologizing of American history, and much more.

David Kudler, 12/04/12

Publisher, Stillpoint Digital Press

I've been reading fantasy adventure novels for a long, long time. When you read a series of books by the same author, it's hard not to expect the stakes to get raised with each title: new thrills, new surprises, new tie-ins with earlier story threads and character.

Sherman Yellen, 12/04/12

Screenwriter, Playwright, memoirist, and Lyricist

Harold Pinter nearly killed me. Not with a knife, a bullet, or a karate chop, but with that most deadly of all weapons, a lofty sneer.

Harris Silver, 12/04/12

Founder, Citystreets

Narco Estado: Drug Violence in Mexico, by Teun Voeten, takes a thorough look at the drug violence in Mexico. For the past two decades Voeten has been covering conflicts around the world. According to him, "Nothing compares to the recent drug violence in Mexico."

Ariane Zurcher, 12/04/12

Writer and Blogger, Emma's Hope Book

Landon Bryce, teacher, writer, artist and animator, has written a terrific book about what it is to be autistic. His characters, each very different from one another, discuss their strengths and challenges while stressing self-respect.

Scott Alexander Hess, 12/05/12

Author, 'Diary of a Sex Addict' and 'Bergdorf Boys'

Ultimately, several editors who did not have time to read the book, watched the trailer, which snagged their interest, and they found time to read the book, and write about it.

Craig Kanalley, 12/03/12

Senior Editor, Big News & Live Events, The Huffington Post

Even though the messages it contained were not always positive, it was a pleasure to read "Post-Industrial Journalism," an essay outlining the current state of the journalism industry (or lack thereof) and where we go from here.

Kergan Edwards-Stout, 12/03/12

HRC Father of the Year 2011 and author of the 2012 Indie Book Award-winning novel 'Songs for the New Depression'

In 2009 Stephen Bottum began asking authors to share their favorite LGBT reads of the year, in all genres, leading to the creation of an annual author survey of the best LGBT books of the year. His list for 2012 has just been released, and he graciously took time to speak with me.

Anka Muhlstein, 12/03/12

Author

Proust considered that describing what one sees in nature is the ultimate sign of a great artist. His asthma attacks did not allow him the joy of the outdoors. Janet Malcolm's Burdock, and its scrutiny of the 28 photographs of uncelebrated leaves, would have been a huge comfort to him.

Jeff Klima, 12/02/12

Author, The Dead Janitors Club

"If your book ain't wrote with ease, it's weak on the wet, brown breeze." You can thank me when you're prolific.

John Lundberg, 12/03/12

Writer, Poetry teacher

So when are poems used appropriately in movies? They tend to work in two cases: when the grandeur of a scene is already elevated, or when a scene brings the grandeur of a poem down to its level. I've collected a few of my favorite examples.

Liz Smith, 12/03/12

Columnist

I love reading thrillers. As you might know, Lee Childs of the Jack Reacher series is my current crush and soon we will be seeing Tom Cruise playing him in the movies.

William Dietrich, 12/03/12

Novelist, Naturalist, Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist

Names are powerful in helping define who we are. Now, just in time for the movie of The Hobbit, I've discovered -- much to my surprise -- a legendary and heroic Dietrich who lent fuel to Tolkien's tale and many others.