Bestselling books

By Times wires
Published May 18, 2007

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Hardback bestsellers for the week ended May 5, according to the New York Times.

Fiction

1 Simple Genius (David Baldacci) Two ex-Secret Service agents investigate a scientist's murder while one battles her own demons.

2 The Yiddish Policemen's Union (Michael Chabon) A detective explores the murder of a neighbor in a Jewish settlement in Alaska.

3 The Children of Hurin (J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien) In Middle-earth, an evil lord wants to destroy his rival's children.

4 The Woods (Harlan Coben) New evidence about a murder at a summer camp forces a prosecutor to confront family secrets.

5 Rant (Chuck Palahniuk) The "oral biography" of a serial killer.

Nonfiction

1 At the Center of the Storm (George Tenet) The former CIA director reflects on his career.

2 Einstein (Walter Isaacson) A biography based on newly released personal letters.

3 God Is Not Great (Christopher Hitchens) Religion as a malignant force in the world.

4 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (Barbara Kingsolver with Steven L. Hopp and Camille Kingsolver) The novelist and her family spend a year eating homegrown or local food.

5 Paula Deen: It Ain't All About the Cookin' (Paula Deen with Sherry Suib Cohen) A memoir with recipes from the Southern cooking impresario.

Advice, how-to, miscellaneous

1 The Secret (Rhonda Byrne) The law of attraction is key to getting what you want.

2 The Dangerous Book for Boys (Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden) Skipping stories, tying knots and other essential activities.

3 Everyday Pasta (Giada De Laurentiis) Recipes from the Food Network star.

4 The Loved Dog (Tamar Geller and Andrea Cagan) A cruelty-free approach to dog training.

5 Do You! (Russell Simmons with Chris Morrow) A hip-hop mogul's 12 laws for achieving happiness and success.