Arts

Beats Bubble Up In The Latest Volume Of 'Hip Hop Family Tree'

7:00am August 11, 2016

by Etelka Lehoczky

Ed Piskor is back with another volume of his popular Hip Hop Family Tree series, this time chronicling the acts — from the Beastie Boys to one-hit wonders — that rose to the top in 1984 and 1985.

Top row: The Age of Magic by The Mouse Market, Gothic Bath by Samuel C. Miller III, Apartment 6D by Nix Gerber Studio. Bottom row: White House, White Room by J. Ford Huffman, Reverie of the Stars by Mars Tokyo Designs, My Castle and My Keep by Daisy Taint

Arts

When Your Dream House Is A Dollhouse, No Space Is Too Small

5:55pm August 10, 2016

by Gabriel Rosenberg

Two dozen American artists were asked to create their vision of a "dream room," in miniature form. They stuffed a lot into these small boxes: hopes, fears and some really tiny unicorns.

Jacqueline Woodson is also the author of Brown Girl Dreaming, Miracle's Boys, Show Way and Feathers.

Books
Arts

Jacqueline Woodson's New Novel For Adults Has Its Roots In Adolescence

4:28pm August 10, 2016

by Lynn Neary

Best known for her kids' and young adult books, Woodson has written her first adult novel in 20 years. Another Brooklyn is a dreamlike narrative about friendship, memory and dealing with death.

In her latest film, Streep plays Florence Foster Jenkins, an heiress and socialite who didn't let her less-than-great voice stop her from becoming an opera singer.

Arts

'It's A Playground': Meryl Streep On Acting With Abandon

3:30pm August 10, 2016

In her new film, Streep plays Florence Foster Jenkins, a socialite who didn't let her less-than-great voice stop her from becoming an opera singer. Streep says she can relate to that kind of passion.

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Books
Arts

'Playing Dead' Teaches You How To Disappear

3:07pm August 10, 2016

by Genevieve Valentine

Elizabeth Greenwood thought about faking her own death to get out of massive student debt — but decided instead to write a book about all the ways people try (and usually fail) to disappear.

Books
Arts

3 Steps To Faking Your Own Death From The Author Of 'Playing Dead'

5:13pm August 09, 2016

by NPR Staff

Elizabeth Greenwood has spent a lot of time researching the death fraud industry. She says the hardest step for many aspiring fraudsters would be cutting all ties with friends and family.

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New Lucille Ball Statue Replaces 'Scary Lucy'

5:11pm August 09, 2016

Lucille Ball's hometown of Celoron, N.Y., honored her with a statue in 2009, 20 years after death. But the statue was terrifying. The story of "Scary Lucy" went viral last year. Last weekend, Celeron unveiled a new, less scary Lucy statue.

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In the world of books and literature, "diversity" has recently become hotly debated, along with other cultural and media spheres. Though a few writers of color seem to be getting more shine, the demographics of those working behind the scenes in publishin

Diversity In Book Publishing Isn't Just About Writers — Marketing Matters, Too

3:02pm August 09, 2016

by Jean Ho

For writers of color, the lack of diversity in book publicity departments can feel like a death knell.

Books
Arts

Jacqueline Woodson's 'Brooklyn' Is Full Of Dreams And Danger

1:28pm August 09, 2016

The National Book Award winner's new novel is based in part on her memories of growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s. Woodson describes the teen years as an "amazing and urgent moment" in life.

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This rare 1700s robe volante, or "flying dress," was recently purchased by Palais Galliera, a fashion museum in Paris.

Arts

Vive Le Confort! For Corseted Courtiers, This Dress Was A French Revolution

10:50am August 09, 2016

by Susan Stamberg

A really old French dress has sold for more than $150,000. The brocade gown is an exquisite example of the loose-fitting dresses that women — fed up with restrictive bodices — embraced in the 1700s.

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