BESTSELLERS

Rankings are based on a Times poll of Southland bookstores.

*--* Fiction Weeks on list 1. Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais (Simon & Schuster: 1 $25.95) When a man cleared of a murder charge is found dead, Elvis Cole is called to account. 2. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (Ecco: 1 $25.95) A mute dog breeder is banished by his uncle in this twist of “Hamlet.” 3. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz 24 (Riverhead: $24.95) A sci-fi-loving nerd and his immigrant family are haunted by the past. 4. The Dawn Patrol by Don Winslow (Knopf: $23.95) A surfing 5 private eye trying to unravel an insurance scam tangles with thugs in San Diego’s Pacific Beach. 5. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (Harper: 7 $23.95) A dog’s-eye view of love, loyalty and sacrifice. 6. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich (St. Martin’s 3 Press: $27.95) Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum faces a stalker, a kidnapper and an old robbery. 7. The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie (Random 6 House: $26) A traveler arrives at the Mughal emperor’s court with a beguiling tale. 8. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown: $25.99) 9 Alien invaders take over the minds of humans. 9. Netherland by Joseph O’Neill (Pantheon: $23.95) An 3 equities analyst’s life is upended after Sept. 11, when his wife and son flee New York for London. 10. The Last Oracle by James Rollins (William Morrow: 2 $26.95) The Sigma Force battles scientists who may have bioengineered the end of humanity. *--*

*--* Nonfiction 1. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris 6 (Little, Brown: $25.99) Musings on life and smoking. 2. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow 13 (Hyperion: $21.95) A professor with terminal cancer urges us to seize life’s moments. 3. What Happened by Scott McClellan (PublicAffairs: 6 $27.95) The former Bush press secretary says the administration deceived the public about Iraq. 4. Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea 10 Handler (Simon Spotlight: $24.95) The talk-show host skewers dating, family and work. 5. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (Beyond Words: $23.95) 80 Life’s secrets, distilled from oral tradition, literature, religion and philosophy. 6. Fleeced by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann (Harper: 2 $26.95) How the average American is being sold out by interests foreign and domestic. 7. The Soloist by Steve Lopez (Putnam: $25.95) The Times 11 columnist befriends a homeless musician. 8. The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston with Mario 4 Spezi (Grand Central: $25.99) The search for a killer who preyed on Italian lovers. 9. Audition by Barbara Walters (Knopf: $29.95) The 9 pioneering newswoman recalls her life and career. 10. My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor (Viking: 4 $24.95) A brain scientist describes her massive stroke and the steps she took to a full recovery. *--*