Advertisement

What’s the secret of ‘The Power’? Bestsellers for Sept. 12, 2010

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

I don’t know what the secret of ‘The Secret’ is, but I know that the book’s popularity has driven author Rhonda Byrne’s new book, ‘The Power,’ to the top of our nonfiction bestseller list.

‘Rhonda Byrne reveals the single greatest force in our Universe,’ the book’s promotion proclaims. ‘Rhonda Byrne reveals the greatest power in the universe -- The Power to have anything you want.’

That’s quite a promise, one that is catching the eye of Southland book buyers.

These days, the nonfiction bestseller list is particularly full of stories of seeking. In addition to ‘The Power,’ there is Byrne’s earlier book, ‘The Secret’; ‘Women, Food and God’ by Geneen Roth; and ‘You Are Here’ by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh.

Advertisement

Father Gregory Boyle’s ‘Tattoos on the Heart,’ the Jesuit priest’s memoir of his work to get East L.A. youths out of gangs, is another way of looking at what matters, of finding a spiritual center. It’s been on our bestseller list for 22 weeks.

The extended bestseller list -- fiction and nonfiction, hardcover and paperback -- is after the jump. Rankings are based on a weekly poll of Southland bookstores, which includes national chains.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Hardcover Fiction Bestsellers
Place Book Weeks on list
1 The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson (Knopf: $27.95) The highly anticipated final book of the Millennium Trilogy. 14

2 The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Putnam: $24.95) The Southern lives of a maid, cook and college graduate intertwine. 65

3 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic: $17.99) No one is safe in the final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy. 2

4 The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (Random House: $26) A pious Dutch official finds love in turn-of-the-19th-century Japan. 8

5 Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic: $17.99) In a post-apocalyptic future, kids are forced to fight in gladiator-like matches to the death 15

6 Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart (Random House: $26) A satirical, twisted, futuristic love story. 6

7 The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey (Blue Sky Press : $9.99) The adventures of two time-traveling caveboys from the author of the ‘Captain Underpants’ series. 3

8 The Postcard Killers by James Patterson (Little, Brown: $27.99) A postcard precedes a killer, murdering young couples in Europe, next victims 3

9 Three Stations by Martin Cruz Smith (Simon & Schuster: $25.99) Russian police detective Renko investigates the death of a prostitute found in Komsomol Square. 2

10 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic: $17.99) The winners of the annual Hunger Games face the consequences of their victory. 8

11 My Hollywood by Mona Simpson (Knopf: $26.95) The relationship between a TV writer’s wife and her Filipina nanny. 4

12 Star Island by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf: $26.95) A young pop star’s undercover stunt double is kidnapped by an obsessed paparazzo. 6

13 Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger (Atria: $25.99) A marriage strains under the spotlight of celebrity. 2

14 Freedom by Jonathan Franzen (Farrar, Straus & Giroux: $28) The breakdown of a Mid-Western family. 1

15 The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender (Doubleday: $25.95) Rose Edelstein’s gift of taste is bittersweet. 11

16 A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron (Forge: $22.99) A dog is reborn several times before finding his true purpose. 7

17 Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs (Scribner: $26.99) A drowning victim in Quebec raises questions about a soldier’s death in Vietnam. 1

18 The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory (Touchstone: $25.99) The tale of Henry VII’s mother and her destiny to see him crowned King of England. 4

19 The Cobra by Frederick Forsyth (Putnam: $26.95) An ruthless ex-CIA director takes on the drug cartels 2

20 The 39 Clues: Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Scholastic: $12.99) The Cahill siblings face their most daunting challenge to date. 1

Hardcover Nonfiction Bestsellers
Place Book Weeks on list
1 The Power by Rhonda Byrne (Atria: $23.95) Utilizing the force of emotions to create positive outcomes. 2

2 Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle (Free Press: $25) A Jesuit priest recounts working with L.A. youth through his gang intervention program. 22

3 Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth (Scribner: $24) How the connection between eating and core beliefs brings fulfillment. 21

4 Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern (HarperCollins: $15.99) A son’s compilation of his elderly father’s sharp and profane observations. 16

5 Packing for Mars by Mary Roach (W.W. Norton: $13) The science and oddities required for space travel. 4

6 Crimes Against Liberty by David Limbaugh (Regnery Press: $29.95) The author’s case that President Obama’s policies have threatened the public’s constitutional rights. 1

7 Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson (Harper: $19.99) How ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and a little black dress influenced a generation. 8

8 Just Kids by Patti Smith (Ecco: $27) The singer’s early days and relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. 27

9 When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead by Jerry Weintraub (Twelve: $25.99) Memoir of the legendary Hollywood producer and manager. 5

10 LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary by DK Publishing (DK Publishing: $21.99) Details, history and lingo about all the Star Wars characters and vehicles. 7

11 Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown: $27.99) An exploration of the background of high achievers. 74

12 The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (Atria: $23.95) Life’s secrets, distilled. 4

13 Wisdom From the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (Peter Pauper Press: $5.95) Condensed excerpts from the original book. 2

14 Four Fish by Paul Greenberg (Penguin Press: $25.95) The history and debate between wild and farm-raised fish. 3

15 Washington Rules by Andrew Bacevich (Metropolitan: $25) A critical analysis of American military policy. 3

16 Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert (Viking: $26.95) The author tackles her fears of marriage by delving into the institution’s history. 11

17 Parisians by Graham Robb (W.W. Norton: $28.95) The geography of Paris told through experiences of historical figures. 2

18 101 Things I learned in Culinary School by Louis Eguaras (Grand Central: $15) Insights into the cooking profession from a Le Cordon Bleu Chef 1

19 Strength Finders 2.0 by Tom Rath (Gallup Press: $22.95) An upgraded assessment on how to find your top talents. 12

20 You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh (Shambhala: $19.95) Buddhist techniques and practices for finding happiness by living in the moment. 11

Paperback Fiction Bestsellers
Place Book
1 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson ($14.95)

2 The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson ($15.95)

3 Little Bee by Chris Cleave ($14)

4 Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann ($15)

5 One Day by David Nicholls ($14.95)

6 Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese ($15.95)

7 Tinkers by Paul Harding ($14.95)

8 The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver ($16.99)

9 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho ($13.95)

10 Hoot by Carl Hiaasen ($6.50)

11 A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore ($15)

12 To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee ($7.99)

13 Scott Pilgrim by Bryan O’Malley ($11.99)

14 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ($14)

15 Ford County by John Grisham ($24)

Paperback Nonfiction Bestsellers
Place Book
1 Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert ($16)

2 Lit by Mary Karr ($14.99)

3 Zeitoun by Dave Eggers ($15.95)

4 Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer ($15.95)

5 Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean by Edward Kritzler ($15)

6 Three Cups of Tea by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson ($16)

7 The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz ($7.44)

8 Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen ($14)

9 Awkward Family Photos by Doug Chernack and Mike Bender ($15)

10 The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd Edition by The College Board ($21.99)

11 Night by Elie Wiesel ($9.95)

12 What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel ($24.95)

13 Food Rules by Michael Pollan ($11)

14 Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad ($14.99)

15 Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain ($15.99)

Advertisement