Nicholas Sparks, author of "The Notebook," looks back on the success of his debut novel, and gives WSJ's Lucy Feldman a preview of his new book, "Two By Two," which hits shelves on October 4.

As a young man, Lawrence Wright first visited the Middle East when he taught English in Cairo. He has spent much of his life since reporting on the region -- documenting culture by sharing the stories of individuals. His new book, â??The Terror Years,â? considers the evolution of extremism and the Islamic State since 9/11. Wright sits down with