Paperback reader

A few of my favorite books from the past year are now out in paperback:

"Unaccustomed Earth,'' the story collection by Pulitzer winner Jhumpa Lahiri

"The God of War" by Marissa Silver, a moving novel about autism and family, set on the poor side of town near the Salton Sea in the California desert.

"Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon -- and the Journey of a Generation" by Sheila Weller, a history that deftly weaves together a portrait of the times and the challenges facing women in the music industry with the personal details you'd expect from People magazine.

"What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage: Lessons for People from Animals and their Trainers'' by Amy Sutherland, based on the New York Times essay (about "training" her husband) that was the most e-mailed article of the year.