Inside this month's issue of BookPage

April 2003
In This Issue

FIRST PERSON
April BookPage interviews:

Michael Connelly: The popular crime writer takes a new point of view in his latest Harry Bosch book

The best fictional detectives are mysteries unto themselves: hard-bitten, world-weary, troubled souls who keep the dark, uncomfortable corners of their past clearly marked off-limits by yellow police tape. So it comes as a surprise when the moodiest of the lot, L.A. Homicide Detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch, suddenly opens up as never before in Lost Light, case number nine in Michael Connelly's streetwise nocturne on the seamy side of Hollywood. Here, Bosch narrates his own story for the first time.

Billy Collins: America's Poet Laureate talks about his biggest project yet -- turning teens on to poetry

U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins is on a mission. One of America's most admired poets in his own right, Collins wants to make poetry part of everyday life, in particular the lives of high school students. After being named poet laureate in 2001, Collins launched a program known as "Poetry 180: A Poem a Day for American High Schools." The program encourages high school teachers and administrators to read a poem each day as part of their school's announcements.

Dan Brown's explosive new thriller surfaces secrets of the church

Canadian novelist Robert Hough runs away with the circus in a rollicking debut

Jacques Pépin: The famous chef discusses life in the kitchen

Living a biliophile's dream in Paul Collins' "The Town of Books"

British author Louise Rennison shares a laugh

Meet Jacquelyn Mitchard

Meet James Warhola

FEATURES

SPOTLIGHT: New collections set the scene for National Poetry Month

Books to celebrate the spirit of Easter

Behind the Book: Debra Ollivier helps readers find their inner french girl

Spiff up your personal space with books on Home Design

FICTION

The Book of Salt by Monique Truong

Family History by Dani Shapiro

Gentlemen of Space by Ira Sher

Good Faith by Jane Smiley

Office of Innocence by Thomas Keneally

Evenings at Five by Gail Godwin