The Best American Essays 2004Since its inception in 1915, the Best American series has become the premier annual showcase for the country's finest short fiction and nonfiction. For each volume, a series editor reads pieces from hundreds of periodicals, then selects between fifty and a hundred outstanding works. That selection is pared down to the twenty or so very best pieces by a guest editor who is widely recognized as a leading writer in his or her field. This unique system

and an evil sorceress—but will she find the Emerald

MURDER MYSTERIES: In this mystery noir set in heaven's City of Angels before the fall

Something sure looked tempting

[and] with this compelling and empathetic portrait

and studying the history of his ancestors

The local police deputy won’t stop harassing her family

noodles to desserts

Lee offer lessons on the vital skill of “Flexing”—the art of switching leadership styles to more effectively lead people who are different from you

and what ego depletion means for workplace ethics

and interested in getting to know the real Bettina

An American Duchess

and low metabolism