| 100% | SHADOWS | 7 | "___ of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are," 1993 book co-authored by Carl Sagan |
| 33% | EVE | 3 | Woman who was tempted by a serpent in the Book of Genesis |
| 31% | ROWLING | 7 | Best-selling author who was a runner-up for Time's 2007 Person of the Year |
| 31% | ROBREINER | 9 | Director of 33-Across who will write a foreword for the book by 15-Across: 2 wds. |
| 31% | JIMMYCARTER | 11 | Former US president who authored the book "The Hornet's Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War": 2 wds. |
| 30% | UNTO | 4 | "For ___ us a child is born" (line from the Book of Isaiah) |
| 30% | WALLFLOWER | 10 | "The Perks of Being a ___," book by Stephen Chbosky which features the line "We accept the love we think we deserve" |
| 30% | PALEBLUED | 9 | Carl Sagan book named after a famous photo of Earth |
| 30% | STARSTUFF | 9 | What we are made of, per Carl Sagan |
| 30% | SUE | 3 | Author Grafton who wrote books from "A Is for Alibi" to "Y Is for Yesterday" |
| 29% | TSO | 3 | General for whom a style of chicken is named |
| 29% | ASHE | 4 | Tennis great for whom a US Open stadium is named |
| 29% | RIEMANN | 7 | German mathematician for whom a branch of geometry is named |
| 29% | BROCA | 5 | Scientist for whom a part of the brain is named |
| 29% | JOULE | 5 | Physicist James for whom a unit of energy is named |
| 29% | JOHNRAWLS | 9 | US philosopher who authored A Theory of Justice |
| 29% | ELIJAH | 6 | Prophet for whom a cup of wine is poured at Seders |
| 29% | THOR | 4 | Norse god for whom a day of the week is named |
| 29% | CAPOTE | 6 | Author who was a childhood friend of Harper Lee |
| 29% | WALTLONGMIRE | 12 | Sheriff of the fictional county of Absaroka, Wyoming, who is featured in 20 books by 40-Across and a 2012-2017 television series (2 wds.) |
| 28% | MELINDAGATES | 12 | Philanthropist for whom a building of Seattle Children's Hospital is named |
| 28% | PERES | 5 | Israeli president who was the author of 11 books |
| 28% | ASCLEPIUS | 9 | Son of Apollo who was raised by a centaur |
| 28% | EURYDICE | 8 | Wife of Orpheus who was bitten by a viper |
| 28% | STROM | 5 | Thurmond who was a US senator for 48 years |
| 28% | WOOLF | 5 | Virginia ___, author of "A Room of One's Own" who was related by marriage to fellow author Thackeray |
| 28% | NESS | 4 | Crime fighter for whom the atrium of the A.T.F. headquarters is named |
| 28% | AUSTEN | 6 | Author who wrote "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance" |
| 28% | PERKS | 5 | "The ___ of Being A Wallflower," '90s book by Stephen Chbosky |
| 28% | TED | 3 | Kennedy who was a US senator for almost 47 years |