The 'Kirkus Reviews' Spring & Summer 2006 Book Preview

As spring approaches, so too does the buzz surrounding some of the season's sure-fire hits. Since the editors at The Book Standard and sibling publication Kirkus Reviews get the first look at upcoming books, we're pleased to share with you a few of the very best adult and children's books the next few months have to offer?along with author quotes and interviews.

After the uproar surrounding James Frey's "memoir," A Million Little Pieces, St. Martin's Press was quick to slap an events-and-names-may-be-changed disclaimer on the new essay collection Possible Side Effects, from bestselling Running with Scissors author Augusten Burroughs. Embellished or not, Burroughs's tales are as potent and hilarious as ever.

Wildly popular author Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) returns to the literary fiction world with his brilliant third book for adults: Adverbs.

Septuagenarian literary giant John Updike bursts onto the thriller scene with a bold departure from his past work?a gripping, page-turning tale of Islamic extremism, Terrorist.

Sebastian Junger's personal stake in the story behind his new true-crime drama, A Death in Belmont, imbues the narrative with a palpable sense of drama similar to that of the bestselling The Perfect Storm, while Anne Tyler returns to familiar themes with her poignant portrait of the melting-pot American cultural landscape, with Digging to America.

We also include the fiction debut of an 18-year-old; a juicy journalistic tale of love and headlines; the tragicomic memoir of graphic artist Alison Bechdel; the first-ever comprehensive biography of the reclusive Harper Lee; and the autobiographies of legendary journalists and authors Edmund White, Gay Talese and Roger Angell.

Plus: kids' books aplenty, including the latest pop-up masterpiece from Robert Sabuda and the next installment in Jeanne DuPrau's luminous "Ember" series.

Click here for the full Kirkus Reviews Spring & Summer 2006 Special Issue.