The ‘Devil’ is Back…On the New York Times Bestseller List

Erik Larson is very pleased to report that his Devil in the White City, first published in 2003, is back on the New York Times bestseller list, in the nonfiction paperback category. It appeared at a gratifyingly robust no. 8 (out of 20). Erik reports that this is like suddenly seeing a long-lost friend turn up at his door.

In it’s earlier incarnations–hardback and paper–Devil spent over three years on the Times‘ lists. The Times, in the book review of Sunday, July 17, picked up the count at 171 weeks. (But Erik, honestly, who besides you and the Times is really counting?)

Meanwhile, Devil had a debut on a brand new list: the Times‘ e-book bestseller list, where it landed at no. 17 (out of 25), a reflection of the logarithmic increase in sales of e-books for Kindles, Nooks, and so forth. There it joins Erik’s new book, In the Garden of Beasts, which as of July 17 resided at the no. 2 spot on the e-book list (and no. 2 on the hardcover nonfiction list, and no. 2 on the Times‘ overall list.)

Erik is very pleased, but needs to stop checking lists and get back to work. He still does not have an idea for his next book, and at this rate, he may never find one. He is easily distracted. His current obsession: The rotted frames of several windows on his house, discovered by his housepainters.