Fiction

1. “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” by Mitch Albom (Hyperion, $19.95). An old man who died while trying to rescue a little girl from danger discovers that all will be explained to him in the afterlife.

2. “The Da Vinci Code,” by Dan Brown (Doubleday, $24.95). The murder of a curator at the Louvre leads to a trail of clues found in the work of Leonardo and to the discovery of a centuries-old secret society.

3. “Blow Fly,” by Patricia Cornwell (Putnam, $26.95). No longer the chief medical examiner of Virginia, Kay Scarpetta tries to unravel a conspiracy involving the Wolfman, a killer she helped put away years earlier.

4. “Shepherd’s Abiding,” by Jan Karon (Viking, $24.95). Father Tim tries to spruce up a nativity scene that has been neglected; a “Mitford Years” novel.

5. “Bleachers,” by John Grisham (Doubleday, $19.95). A former star quarterback returns to his Southern hometown after he learns that his high school coach, a local legend, has a terminal illness.

Nonfiction

1. “Dude, Where’s My Country?” by Michael Moore (Warner, $24.95). The author of “Stupid White Men” calls for “regime change” in Washington.

2. “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them,” by Al Franken (Dutton, $24.95). A satirical critique of the rhetoric of right-wing pundits and politicians.

3. “Who’s Looking Out for You?” by Bill O’Reilly (Broadway, $24.95). The host of “The O’Reilly Factor” attacks those individuals and institutions that he believes have let down the American people.

4. “Flyboys,” by James Bradley (Little, Brown, $25.95). An account of eight American airmen who were shot down and captured by the Japanese in World War II.

5. “Reflections,” by Barbara Bush (Lisa Drew/Scribner, $28). The former first lady meditates on the life she has led since moving out of the White House.

Advice, how-to and miscellaneous

1. “The South Beach Diet,” by Arthur Agatston (Rodale, $24.95). A weight-loss plan designed by a Miami cardiologist.

2. “The Purpose-Driven Life,” by Rick Warren (Zondervan, $19.99). Finding the meaning of life through God.

3. “The Ultimate Weight Solution,” by Phil McGraw (Free Press, $26). Dr. Phil identifies “seven keys” to losing weight.

4. “The World According to Mister Rogers,” (Hyperion, $16.95). Inspirational words from the TV personality, who died this year.

5. “Atkins for Life,” by Robert C. Atkins (St. Martin’s, $24.95). A physician’s program for finding one’s ideal weight and maintaining it.