Books: New and noteworthy

Paste BN’s Jocelyn McClurg scopes out the hottest books on sale each week.

1. The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins (William Morrow, fiction, on sale Dec. 15)

What it’s about: Sigma Force must rescue twin sisters, both geneticists, after the Chinese government tries to genetically engineer human embryos using Neanderthal DNA.

The buzz: Rollins’s previous Sigma Force novel, The 6th Extinction, landed on Paste BN’s Best-Selling Books list at No. 10 last year.

2. John le Carré: The Biography by Adam Sisman (Harper, non-fiction, on sale now)

What it’s about: A look at the life of the popular espionage author (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), born David Cornwell.

The buzz: “The best biography of 2015 – a rare achievement that invites rereading,” says Britain’s Independent.

3. Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini (Dutton, fiction, on sale now)

What it’s about: Novel toggles between Christmas past (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writing his poem Christmas Bells) and present (a music teacher about to lose her job finds holiday cheer).

The buzz: “Chiaverini…hits all the right emotional notes in this heartwarming story,” says Booklist.

4. Young Elizabeth: The Making of the Queen by Kate Williams (Pegasus, non-fiction, on sale now)

What it’s about: Examines the early life of Queen Elizabeth II, who at age 89 is now Great Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

The buzz: “A celebratory and entertaining royal biography,” says Kirkus Reviews.

5. And Yet…. by Christopher Hitchens (Simon & Schuster, non-fiction, on sale now)

What it’s about: Essays by the provocative writer, on subjects ranging from Hillary Clinton to Ian Fleming.

The buzz: Hitchens, who died in 2011, was also the author of such best sellers as Hitch-22 and Mortality.