New in paperback: 'Catherine the Great,' more

Notable releases this week:

Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie (Random House, non-fiction, reprint; * * * * out of four) is this week's critic's pick. Paste BN's Deirdre Donahue called this biography of the Russian empress "enthralling."

Also newly released:

Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience by Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly (Scribner, non-fiction, reprint). The congresswoman severely wounded in January 2011 tells her story, with help from her husband.

Seriously … I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres (Grand Central, non-fiction, reprint). Funny stuff from the daytime talk-show host.

The Angel Esmeralda by Don DeLillo (Scribner, fiction, reprint). Nine stories by the author of White Noise.

Sweet Judy Blue Eyes by Judy Collins (Three Rivers Press, non-fiction, reprint). Subtitle: "My Life in Music."

The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst (Vintage, fiction, reprint). Novel revolves around a Rupert Brooke-like poet in 1913 England.

The Magic Room by Jeffrey Zaslow (Gotham, non-fiction, reprint). A portrait of a Michigan bridal shop; Zaslow died in a car accident earlier this year.

Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire (William Morrow, fiction, reprint). Paste BN's Brian Truitt described this as a "satisfying finish to the Wicked Years saga."

Modern Family: Wit and Wisdom From America's Favorite Family by the Writers of Modern Family (Hyperion, non-fiction, paperback original). Bons mots from the Pritchett family, courtesy of the hit ABC show.

Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore (William Morrow, fiction, reprint). A "Comedy d'Art" about Vincent Van Gogh and his Impressionist pals.

Best Friends, Occasional Enemies by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella (St. Martin's Griffin, non-fiction, reprint). Subtitle: "The Lighter Side of Life as a Mother and Daughter."