Book Update for 12/12/2008. This week: The Book Review's Deputy Editor, Bob Harris, talks about the 10 Best Books of 2008; Motoko Rich has Notes From the Field, Lorraine Adams reviews a controversial novel about one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives, and Jennifer Schuessler has bestseller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host. By Sam Tanenhaus of The New York Times.

Book Update for 12/19/2008. This week: Alex Witchel discusses Christopher Plummer's new memoir, Motoko Rich has Notes from the Field, Bruce Jay Friedman talks about his new collection of novellas, and Jennifer Schuessler has bestseller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host. By Sam Tanenhaus of The New York Times.

Book Update for 12/26/2008. This week: The Times's David Carr discusses a new bio of Rupert Murdoch; Motoko Rich has Notes from the Field; Times reporter and editor Dana Canedy talks about her memoir, "A Journal for Jordan"; and Jennifer Schuessler has bestseller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host. By Sam Tanenhaus of The New York Times.

Book Update for 1/2/2009. This week, Dominique Browning discusses a new biography about Brooke Astor, Motoko Rich has Notes from the Field, Jeremy McCarter tells us about the life of Marlon Brando, and Jennifer Schuessler has bestseller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host. By Sam Tanenhaus of The New York Times.