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L.A. Times bestsellers and Chateau Marmont

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Although what’s hip in Hollywood changes faster than you can say ‘paparazzi,’ there’s one destination that’s been consistently starlit since it opened in 1931: the Chateau Marmont hotel. That’s why it makes it into the title of Lauren Weisberger’s new novel, ‘Last Night at Chateau Marmont.’ In the latest from the author of ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ a struggling New York couple find themselves swept up in the whirlwind of celebrity life when his dreams of becoming a famous singer actually come true. Where does a newly minted star stay in Hollywood? Chateau Marmont, of course.

Chateau Marmont was originally built as an apartment complex in the 1920s, but found its fortunes as a hotel, which opened in 1931. From its earliest years, its staff were known to be discreet: Legend has it that Harry Cohn, founder of Columbia Pictures, said, ‘If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.’ That was back in 1939. By 1982, when John Belushi died from a drug overdose in one of its bungalows, perhaps the degree of trouble one could get into there had gone too far. But many other celebrities have stayed, unharmed, at Chateau Marmont, including Greta Garbo, Hunter S. Thompson, Howard Hughes and Lily Allen.

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Lauren Weisberger’s ‘Last Night at Chateau Marmont’ enters our hardcover fiction bestseller list this week at No. 9. Rankings are based on a weekly poll of Southland bookstores; our extended L.A. Times Bestseller List for Sunday, Sept. 5 is after the jump.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Hardcover Fiction Bestsellers
Place Book Weeks on list
1 The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson (Knopf: $27.95) The highly anticipated final book of the millennium trilogy. 13

2 Star Islandby Carl Hiaasen (Knopf: $26.95) A young pop star’s undercover stunt double is kidnapped by an obsessed paparazzo. 5

3 Three Stations by Martin Cruz Smith (Simon & Schuster: $25.99) Russian police detective Renko investigates the death of a prostitute found in Komsomol Square. 1

4 The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Putnam: $24.95) The Southern lives of a maid, a cook and a college graduate intertwine. 64

5 Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart (Random House: $26) A satirical, twisted, futuristic love story. 5

6 The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (Random House: $26) A pious Dutch official finds love in turn-of-the-19th-century Japan. 7

7 Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic: $17.99) In a post-apocalyptic future, kids are forced to fight in gladiator-like matches to the death. 14

8 The Postcard Killers by James Patterson (Little, Brown: $27.99) A postcard precedes a killer, murdering young couples in Europe, next victims. 2

9 Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger (Atria: $25.99) A marriage strains under the spotlight of celebrity. 1

10 The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender (Doubleday: $25.95) Rose Edelstein’s gift of taste is bittersweet. 10

11 The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey (Blue Sky Press: $9.99) The adventures of two time-traveling caveboys from the author of the ‘Captain Underpants’ series. 2

12 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic: $17.99) No one is safe in the final installment of ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy. 1

13 The Cobra by Frederick Forsyth (Putnam: $26.95) An ruthless ex-CIA director takes on the drug cartels. 1

14 My Hollywood by Mona Simpson (Knopf: $26.95) The relationship between a TV writer’s wife and her Filipina nanny. 3

15 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic: $17.99) The winners of the annual Hunger Games face the consequences of their victory. 7

16 The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva (Putnam: $26.95) Murder and a stolen Rembrandt portrait. 6

17 The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory (Touchstone: $25.99) The tale of Henry VII’s mother and her destiny to see him crowned King of England. 3

18 The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (Disney Hyperion: $17.99) Siblings battle Egyptian gods to find their Egyptologist father. 13

19 Tough Customer by Sandra Brown (Simon & Schuster: $26.99) A rule-breaking detective fights to keep a stalker from killing his daughter. 2

20 Crossfire by Dick Francis and Felix Francis (Putnam: $26.95) An injured soldier returns home to find blackmail at his mother’s stables. 1

Hardcover Nonfiction Bestsellers
Place Book Weeks on list
1 Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern (HarperCollins: $15.99) A son’s compilation of his elderly father’s ramblings and observations. 15

2 Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth (Scribner: $24) How the connection between eating and core beliefs brings fulfillment. 20

3 The Power by Rhonda Byrne (Atria: $23.95) Utilizing the force of emotions to create positive outcomes. 1

4 Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle (Free Press: $25) A Jesuit priest recounts working with L.A. youth through his gang intervention program. 21

5 Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert (Viking: $26.95) The author tackles her fears of marriage by delving into the institution’s history. 10

6 Packing for Mars by Mary Roach (W.W. Norton: $13) The science and oddities required for space travel. 3

7 Composed by Rosanne Cash (Viking: $26.95) The daughter of Johnny Cash recounts her early years, career success and personal life. 2

8 Just Kids by Patti Smith (Ecco: $27) The singer’s early days and relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. 26

9 Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain (Ecco: $26.99) A gastronome’s journey for foodies everywhere. 10

10 Hitch-22 by Christopher Hitchens (Twelve: $26.99) The contrarian shares his political and personal life stories. 8

11 Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler (Grand Central: $25.99) Essays and amusing tales from the comic’s personal life. 17

12 LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary by DK Publishing (DK Publishing: $21.99) Details, history and lingo about all the Star Wars characters and vehicles. 6

13 The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (Atria: $23.95) Life’s secrets, distilled. 3

14 Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown: $27.99) An exploration of the background of high achievers. 73

15 Strength Finders 2.0 by Tom Rath (Gallup Press: $22.95) An upgraded assessment on how to find your top talents. 11

16 Getting Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald (It Books: $25.99) The actress shares insights and tips on finding inner and outer beauty after 40. 5

17 Cake Wrecks by Jen Yates (Andrews McMeel: $12.99) Commentary and behind-the-scenes tidbits on professional cake calamities. 2

18 Waiter Rant by Steve Dublanica (Ecco: $24.95) The tirades of a veteran New York City waiter. 1

19 You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh (Shambhala: $19.95) Buddhist techniques and practices for finding happiness by living in the moment. 10

20 Golden Gate by Kevin Starr (Bloomsbury: $23) A chronicle of the the longest suspension bridge in the world. 4

Paperback Fiction Bestsellers
Place Book
1 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson ($14.95)

2 The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson ($15.95)

3 Little Bee by Chris Cleave ($14)

4 Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese ($15.95)

5 Tinkers by Paul Harding ($14.95)

6 One Day by David Nicholls ($14.95)

7 Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann ($15)

8 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho ($13.95)

9 Scott Pilgrim by Bryan O’Malley ($11.99)

10 The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein ($14.99)

11 The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver ($16.99)

12 To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee ($7.99)

13 The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery ($15)

14 The Book Thief by Maggie Stiefvater and Markus Zusak ($12.99)

15 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ($14)

Paperback Nonfiction Bestsellers
Place Book
1 Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert ($16)

2 Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer ($15.95)

3 Three Cups of Tea by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson ($16)

4 Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming ($16.95)

5 The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle ($14)

6 Zeitoun by Dave Eggers ($15.95)

7 Awkward Family Photos by Doug Chernack and Mike Bender ($15)

8 Slake: The Los Angeles Quarterly by Joe Donnelly et al. ($18)

9 Three Cups of Tea (Young Readers Ed) by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson ($8.99)

10 Food Rules by Michael Pollan ($11)

11 The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd Edition by The College Board ($21.99)

12 Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad ($14.99)

13 Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain ($15.99)

14 Lit by Mary Karr ($14.99)

15 What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel ($24.95)

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