Complete books coverage for Sunday, April 5, 2009

Not every character has to be mean to be interesting. In Gayle Forman’s ‘If I Stay,’ Alison McGhee’s ‘Julia Gillian (and the Quest for Joy)’ and Tomi Ungerer’s “The Three Robbers,” the girl heroines are devoted to family, responsible -- and fascinating.

In his book, Humes looks at the wealthy green elite.

The journalist loves nothing better than jumping into the trenches with his subjects.

A man who feels he has no future takes an understandable route: He dwells in his past.

A letter led to friendship with Dorothy Fisher, once Raymond Chandler’s secretary.

Dave Cullen, who reported the 1999 school massacre from the day it happened, sticks with the story to sift out its truths.

The main character in this novel finds himself between a rock and hard place in Upstate New York.

Also: ‘People Are Unappealing,’ by Sara Barron; ‘One D.O.A., One on the Way,’ by Mary Robison

Fiction weeks on list1.The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Dial Press: $22) A writer corresponds with islanders after German occupation.34 2.Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown: $19.99) Bella must choose between her lover and a friend, between life and death..37 3.Fool by Christopher Moore (William Morrow: $26.99) King Lear’s jester and an apprentice set out to save the kingdom in this comedy of errors. 5 4.Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown: $22.99) The final book in the “Twilight” saga finds Bella choosing immortality.345.The Associate by John Grisham (Doubleday: $27.95) A law school grad’s dark secret is used to blackmail him into stealing files from a N.Y. law firm, putting his life in danger.86.Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney (Amulet: $12.95) Greg’s dad enlists him in organized sports in order to toughen him up.107.The Women by T.C.

Fiction 1. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons ($19.99) 2.

Author events for the week of April 5, 2009