The rankings for hard-cover books sold in Southern California, as reported by selected book stores: Fiction 1. 'The Help,' by Kathryn Stockett (Putnam: $24.95). The lives of a maid, a cook and a college graduate become intertwined as they change a Mississippi town. 2. 'U Is for Undertow,' by Sue Grafton (Putnam: $27.95). PI Kinsey Millhone investigates the 20-year-old case of the mysterious disappearance of a 4-year-old girl. 3. 'Too Much Happiness,' by Alice Munro (Knopf : $25.95). The short story master explores women and their relationships in 10 new stories. 4. 'The Lacuna,' by Barbara Kingsolver (Harper: $26.99). A writer's escapades encompassing 1930s Mexican artist communities and Cold War America. 5. 'Wolf Hall,' by Hilary Mantel (Henry Holt: $27). The rise of Henry VIII's adviser Thomas Cromwell. 6. 'The Lost Symbol,' by Dan Brown (Doubleday: $25.99). Harvard professor Robert Langdon uses his symbology skills to find a missing Freemason in Washington, D.C. 7. 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days,' by Jeff Kinney (Amulet: $13.95). Greg desires to spend summer vacation indoors despite his mother's wishes for outdoor family fun. 8. 'Eclipse,' by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown: $19.99). Bella must choose between her lover and a friend, between life and death. 9. 'I, Alex Cross,' by James Patterson (Little, Brown: $27.99). Detective Alex Cross infiltrates a secret society while tracking down the killer of a close relative. 10. 'Nine Dragons,' by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown : $27.99). A Los Angeles Police Department detective travels to Hong Kong to solve the murder of a Chinese immigrant. End adv sun dec 27 