LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- The chaos of Nigeria's largest city of Lagos gets boiled down to prose as a narrator notes "how unpretty" its sprawl looks, with "its unplanned houses sprouting like weeds." Another author describes the madness of the commute, how six roads meet and "there is no traffic light."

A sobering clarion call to heed the history lessons of our horrifying past in these presumably post-racial times.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Lil Wayne is offering a literary tour of his prison days.

Barack Obama's historic run for the presidency spawned a cottage industry of books about him and the First Lady, with several even being published well before the inauguration. Most of the early offerings were merely take-the-money-and-run rip-offs, which is why this critic suggested that those impatient for a keepsake consider waiting for someone to come up with a worthwhile biography likely to stand the test of time.

This book features contributions from Occupy activists who were there from the beginning. It offers insights for those actively protesting or expressing support for the movement, and for the millions more who sympathize with the goal of a more equitable and democratic future.

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- The author of internationally acclaimed novel "Things Fall Apart" and other works examining the political failures and corruption of oil-rich Nigeria has again turned down a national honor over the failings of the nation.

Webmaster and literary figure Troy Johnson talks about both the challenges and rewards of running www.AALBC.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A judge ruled Monday that a man charged with stalking Halle Berry should stand trial on two charges filed after he was repeatedly seen on the actress' property earlier this year.

Given the frightening trajectory of the economy and the staggering unemployment numbers, the time is ripe for a self-help book with some decent financial advice. "Mind Right, Money Right" fits the bill, despite its being a derivative work ostensibly based on the seven tried-and-true investment principles originally delineated in "The Richest Man in Babylon," a classic from 1926 that this critic read many moons ago.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Colin Powell's new book is a story of success.