Another publishing season rolls around, and Open Letters puts aside our usual weighty tomes and turns to the venerable New York Times bestseller list. For the last two years we've reviewed the Fiction lists---this year we cast a collective cold eye on the Nonfiction list (specifically from the week of August 1, 2010). Exactly what kind of nonfiction is America reading these days? Join us as we take a tour of the top ten bestsellers.

1. Sh*t My Dad SaysBy Justin HalpernReviewed by Tuc Macfarland

2. The Obama DiariesBy Laura IngrahamReviewed by Greg Waldmann

3. The Big ShortBy Michael LewisReviewed by John Cotter

4. Medium RawBy Anthony BourdainReviewed by Amanda Bragg

5. Sliding into HomeBy Kendra WilkinsonReviewed by Rita Consalvos

6. Coming Back StrongerBy Drew Brees with Chris FabryReviewed by Jeffrey Eaton

7. Chelsea Chelsea Bang BangBy Chelsea HandlerReviewed by Sam Sacks

8. Empire of the Summer MoonBy S.C. GwynneReviewed by Steve Donoghue

9. OutliersBy Malcolm GladwellReviewed by Steve Donoghue

10. The Immortal Life of Henrietta LacksBy Rebecca SklootReviewed by Maureen Thorson