Topic: Magic and Illusions

5 reasons "The Night Circus" is everywhere

If you've read a newspaper or gone on the Internet, chances are you've seen that distinctive black cover for "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern. Here are five reasons it's suddenly popping up wherever you go.

2 debut novels worth drooling over

This fall is crowded with new releases from literary heavyweights from Tom Perrotta and Jeffrey Eugenides to Joan Didion and Haruki Marukami. But it also offers two new names worth searching out: Erin Morgenstern and Chad Harbach, both of whose debut novels offer readers a chance to dive into fully realized worlds. In one, it’s a 19th-century traveling circus that’s open only at night; in the other, it’s a Midwestern baseball field. Both novels feature protagonists who are the very best at what they do. (Morgenstern and Harbach are no slouches, either.)

Fall books: 12 fiction titles you don't want to miss

From Ireland to India, and from the year AD 73 to the possible end of the world, here are 12 of the most enticing of the fall 2011 fiction titles.

Amazon's Top 10 fall books

Is there anything good about the end of summer? Yes – the arrival of fall books! For those who can't wait another moment, here are the Top 10 fall book picks from Amazon editors. It's looking like a stellar line-up of autumn reads.

Disney announces release date for 'Oz: The Great and Powerful'

Disney announced a March 8, 2013 release date for Sam Raimi's 'Oz: The Great and Powerful.'

Top Picks: Sylvain Chomet's film 'The Illusionist,' Brian Setzer's new album, a book and TV show about Area 51, and more

A poignant animated film from Sylvain Chomet, an album with infectious tunes from Brian Setzer, a show and book about a location with rumored alien sightings, and more recommendations.

How Osama bin Laden's death sparked a fake Martin Luther King quote

A Facebook user's message about Osama bin Laden's death quickly mutated into a misattributed quote by Martin Luther King, showing us all how quickly the Internet can generate an urban legend.

Harry Houdini: Why the world needs magicians

It's the 137th anniversary of the birth of Harry Houdini, an apt occasion to acknowledge the conjurers, escapologists, and prestidigitators who continually remind us that all is not what it seems.

The Illusionist: movie review

A rich, moving, animated film, 'The Illusionist' draws from a script by Jacques Tati and has a haunting Chaplinesque feel. Not to be missed.

Ten best movies of 2010

If you haven't yet seen any or all of my top 10, I envy what awaits you. These are Monitor Film Critic Peter Rainer's favorite films of the year.

Carnival Splendor fire: Crippled ship nears San Diego

Carnival Splendor, without propulsion or primary electricity since an engine fire Monday morning, is being dragged towards San Diego bay by six tug boats.

Cedar Point named best amusement park: Five theme park winners

Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, has been named by the theme-park trade publication Amusement Today, as the best amusement park for the 13th straight year. Amusement Today also bestowed 24 other "Golden Ticket" awards to parks and rides around the United States. Here are some highlights.

Invisible Gorilla test returns, showing that we're still not paying attention

'Invisible Gorilla,' a 1999 test that revealed how little attention we pay to the unexpected, now has a sequel. Take the test to see how good you are at noticing what's right in front of you.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: From George Clooney to Lance Armstrong, celebrities tap star power to urge giving

To boost donations after the Haiti earthquake, MTV and George Clooney are teaming up to host a two-hour telethon on Jan. 22, while magician David Blaine will conduct a 72-hour Magic Marathon in Times Square.

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus: movie review

‘The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus’ leaps deep into fantasy and mortality when a magician makes one final bet.

The Magician's Elephant

A boy and an elephant yearn for home and family in Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo’s magical tale.

Out of work? This week's top 10 job offers.

Practice your magic skills with Harry Potter iPhone app

Classic review: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

A delightful, intelligent fantasy that has been called "Harry Potter for adults."

Horizon highlights – 'It's electric!' edition

Review: 'Is Anybody There?'

Michael Caine is a tour de force in this gentle drama about a widower and his friendship with a boy obsessed with life after death.