Coffin, who served for 18 years as chaplain of Yale University, offers us an antidote to the politics of the religious right with a call to liberals to reenter the fray with an unabashedly Christian view of social justice, arguing that “compassion demands confrontation” on many controversial topics.

A marvelous book of brief quotations and observations by the foremost American advocate for social justice. This former chaplain of Yale University and Williams College offers us his wisdom on patriotism, war and peace, the Church, from the perspective of a thoughtful, intellectual octogenarian.

From the author of The Day After Tomorrow comes an even more action-packed story of global proportion. What will happen to John, the youngest of an elite force of LA police and his beautiful-but mute-sister, at the hands of an international hit man? And the sensuous baroness who has designs on major world governments? Fast-paced thrills; you can’t miss this one.

A book about the hottest new form of gaming via the computer, McManus (who is a writer, not a poker player, which is an important distinction) brings you inside the world of poker in this beautifully written, highly readable book.

Some of us just can’t get enough short fiction — and this chestnut of an anthology is tailor-made for hectic schedules. Most stories here are just two pages long, but they are packed full of situations that go right to the heart. Just try to keep silent after reading “The Paring Knife,” or “The Haircut.” You’ll demand the person closest to you read it immediately so you can ask what they think.