Today's Inquirer reviews ....

Vikram Johri looks at Tarun J. Tejpal's The Alchemy of Desire: Desire lost, desire afire, desire unto, beyond death.

Roger Miller has good things to say about Michael Hofmann's anthology of 20th-century German poetry: A tour of German poetry finds 20th century's best.

I found Simenon's The Strangers in the House quote fascinating: Fine French novel of familial estrangement. (Don't know where the copy editor got the idea that Loursat was drinking himself to death. Simenon doesn't say that. And I never suggest it. He drinks too much. It may kill him. Maybe not.)

Michael McHale is charmed by Calvin Trillin's About Alice: Trillin's story of his lovely wife, her life cut short.

Katie Haegele finds a French novel for young adults: Young Adult Reader Runaway brothers and those who glimpse their flight.

During the week ...

Carlin Romano wrote something seasonal: A Hanukkah story shines brightly once again.

Paul Davis paid a visit to Joseph Wambaugh's Hollywood Station: Hollywood, in the black-and-white.

Sheri Melnick gauged Greg Iles's latest: Illness, intrigue, homicidal spouses.

John Rooney liked a "This I Believe" anthology: Wisdom of worthies, meant to inspire.

And Fred Bortz pondered a couple of books about string theory: String theory seems to unravel.