Fifth Anniversary Books

Good and Bad Calls
The Bridges of Madison County, by Robert James Waller: ''It seems likely to melt all but the most determined cynics.'' (1992)

Waiting to Exhale, by Terry McMillan: ''McMillan is a smart and sympathetic writer...but here she's just winging it.'' (1992)

The Alienist, by Caleb Carr: ''Carr puts together a first-rate tale of crime and punishment that will keep readers guessing until the final pages.'' (1994)

The Firm, by John Grisham: ''Dialogue and characterization are sometimes disappointing...On the whole, however, The Firm is a likable enough diversion.'' (1991)

Our Most Scathing Reviews
Secrets of a Sparrow, by Diana Ross: ''Not since Joan Crawford discussed gloves and caviar in her 1971 My Way of Life has a star inadvertently portrayed herself as so deeply shallow, pretentious, self-involved, and, I hate to say it, stupid.'' (1993)

Lasher, by Anne Rice: ''You can skip whole chapters and not miss much. You can skip the whole book and not miss anything.'' (1993)

Best Title of the Last Five Years
If You Can't Live Without Me, Why Aren't You Dead Yet?! Cynthia Heimel's essay on men, clothes, and men.

Most Misleading Title
Great Good Food, by Julee Rosso. Critics charged that some of the ex-Silver Palate partner's recipes weren't even edible.

Literary Felon Of the '90s
Joe McGinniss, who freely admitted that he made up Ted Kennedy's thoughts in his much-panned biography, The Last Brother.

Maybe the Meese Commission Had a Point
Patti Davis' S&M novel, Bondage, was so terrible that our reviewer wrote, ''[I]t made me wonder about my general opposition to censorship.'' (1994)

Our Favorite Acknowledgment
''Writing a book just might be the hardest thing I've ever done, besides trying to get laid in college.'' -- Howard Stern, in Private Parts

And We're Still Waiting for...
Oprah Winfrey's autobiography, Tom Wolfe's next book, and the new Hannibal Lecter novel from Thomas Harris.