New York Times - Book

Two years and 500,000 hardcover sales later, Alison Espach’s novel comes out in paperback this week. It’s a book she didn’t want to write.

The first serious biography of Albert Sabin recounts the pivotal role he played in the development of a polio vaccine.Sabin’s early career cemented his reputation as a gifted researcher, but a troubled colleague. It reached the point where his mentors felt compelled to warn prospective employers.

Sarai Walker’s “Furious Violet” is a psychological thriller about the kind of woman the genre — and the world — typically overlooks.

An author and sportsman, he helped create the game of paintball and wrote the book and movie that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a household name.

Our columnist on the month’s best new books.