BESTSELLERS

Rankings are based on a Times poll of Southland bookstores.

*--* Fiction weeks on list 1. Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais (Simon & 2 Schuster: $25.95) When a man cleared of a murder charge is found dead, Elvis Cole is called to account. 2. Swan Peak by James Lee Burke (Simon & 1 Schuster: $25.95) Private eye Dave Robicheaux tries to solve the killings of two Montana college students. 3. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David 2 Wroblewski (Ecco: $25.95) A mute dog breeder is banished by his uncle in this twist on “Hamlet.” 4. The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie 7 (Random House: $26) A traveler arrives at the Mughal emperor’s court with a beguiling tale. 5. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown: 10 $25.99) Alien invaders take over the minds of humans. 6. Tribute by Nora Roberts (Putnam: $26.95) A 1 former child actress tries to discover whether her movie-star grandmother’s death was suicide or murder. 7. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot 25 Diaz (Riverhead: $24.95) A sci-fi-loving nerd and his immigrant family are haunted by the past. 8. Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri (Knopf: 15 $25) Stories of immigrants struggling with U.S. culture. 9. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein 8 (Harper: $23.95) A dog’s-eye view of love, loyalty and sacrifice. 10. Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger 6 (Simon & Schuster: $25.95) Girlfriends make a vow to radically updo their lives. *--*

*--* Nonfiction 1. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris 7 (Little, Brown: $25.99) Musings on life and smoking. 2. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow 14 (Hyperion: $21.95) A professor with terminal cancer urges us to seize life’s moments. 3. The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder by 5 Vincent Bugliosi (Vanguard: $26.95) A case for trying the president in the deaths of U.S. troops in Iraq. 4. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (Beyond Words: $23.95) 81 Life’s secrets, distilled from oral tradition, literature, religion and philosophy. 5. Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea 11 Handler (Simon Spotlight: $24.95) The talk-show host skewers dating, family and work. 6. Fleeced by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann (Harper: 3 $26.95) How the average American is being sold out. 7. Ladies of the Night by Gene Simmons (Phoenix Books: 1 $39.95) The Kiss lead singer traces the history of prostitution and argues for making it legal. 8. Books by Larry McMurtry (Simon & Schuster: $24) 1 The award-winning author recounts his life as a buyer, seller and lover of books. 9. What Happened by Scott McClellan (PublicAffairs: 7 $27.95) The former Bush press secretary says the administration deceived the public about Iraq. 10. sTORI Telling by Tori Spelling (Simon Spotlight: 5 $24.95) The “90210” star tells all. *--*