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Since about age 2, Atlantic editor Scott Stossel has been "a twitchy bundle of phobias, fears and neuroses." Today, his phobias include asthenophobia, a fear of fainting; aerophobia, a fear of flying; and turophobia, a fear of cheese. He wrote his latest book to help understand and find relief from his anxious suffering.

John Rizzo, who guided the CIA through more than three decades of crisis and controversy, has written a new memoir called Company Man. He talks with NPR's Renee Montagne about the origins of the infamous "enhanced interrogation techniques" that emerged after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Also: Zola Books has bought Bookish; Gary Shteyngart goes on a walking tour of Queens, N.Y., for The Wall Street Journal; Costa Book Awards are announced.

Ben Marcus' new book, Leaving the Sea, is an experimental and challenging collection of stories. Reviewer J.P. O'Malley says there's not much of a through line to the stories, but that it doesn't matter: "If you enjoy writers like Samuel Beckett," he writes, "I'm sure you will love this collection."

The polar vortex putting much of the U.S. in a deep freeze may have you reaching for the comfort cookies. But in Antarctica — where the coldest temperatures on Earth have been recorded — 5,000 calories a day isn't a bad idea. One thing the continent's history teaches us: When life is stripped down to man versus the most brutal elements, bring plenty of snacks.

Also: Former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates' new memoir is critical of the Obama White House; The Morning News' annual Tournament of Books announces its contestants; a new short story from Nicole Krauss.

Take out the idling bottles of spirits in your home bar and make something exciting. There's no distilling or science involved — just fresh fruits, spices, herbs and more, plus ample alcohol and a bit of time for infusing.

According to Russian journalist Masha Gessen, the 2012 arrests were the start of a campaign by Vladimir Putin and his supporters against government critics. Gessen, who is also an LGBT rights advocate, recently moved to New York with her partner and their children in response to the anti-gay laws Russia passed in June.

Sue Monk Kidd, the author of the best-selling The Secret Life of Bees, takes on both slavery and feminism in her novel The Invention of Wings. It's a story told by two women: Hetty, a slave, seeks her freedom, while Sarah, her reluctant owner, rebels against her family to become an abolitionist.

The former New Jersey poet laureate, born LeRoi Jones, has died at 79. Much of his work reflected a commitment to Black Nationalist ideals. He co-founded the Black Arts movement and his poems were as controversial as they were influential.