Arts

Along with a trove of vintage machines, the Museum of Pinball has a sizable collection of games based on current TV shows and movies.

Tilting Toward Fun: A Museum For Pinball Wizards To Come And Play

9:28am March 13, 2016

by Matt Guilhem

The Museum of Pinball in California has more than 600 machines and only opens a few times a year. It attracts those who are nostalgic, and those who long for a game not contained within a screen.

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Books
Arts

'The Throwback Special' Tackles Middle-Age Manhood

8:01am March 13, 2016

Rachel Martin speaks with Chris Bachelder. His novel tells the story of a group of friends who gather each year to re-enact the gruesome injury sustain by quarterback Joe Theisman.

Arts

Spoiler Alert: 'Reality Steve' Calls 'The Bachelor' Winner

7:59am March 13, 2016

The finale of "The Bachelor" premieres Monday night. Bachelor Ben has told two women he loves him, but who will he choose? Steve Carbone of the website RealitySteve.com knows and he spoils it for us.

Books
Arts

No Paper Tiger, This 'Menagerie' Is Full Of Fierce Feeling

7:00am March 13, 2016

by Amal El-Mohtar

Ken Liu's new The Paper Menagerie, collects fifteen of his Hugo and Nebula Award-winning stories. Critic Amal El-Mohtar calls it "stupendously good work" that strikes chords profound enough to hurt.

You may know Gurira as Michonne, the samurai sword-wielding zombie slayer on The Walking Dead. But she's also an award-winning playwright and this week, two of her works are opening in New York.

Arts

'Zimerican' Playwright Danai Gurira Brings African Stories To American Stages

5:00pm March 12, 2016

by Jeff Lunden

You may know Gurira as Michonne, the samurai sword-wielding zombie slayer on The Walking Dead. But she's also an award-winning playwright and this week, two of her works are opening in New York.

Singer Josh Groban performs in Phoenix, Ariz., on March 28, 2015.

Arts

Not My Job: Multiplatinum Recording Artist Josh Groban Gets Quizzed On Elevators

2:05pm March 12, 2016

Groban had a big hit with the song "You Raise Me Up" so we've invited him to play a game called "You Bring Me Down" — three questions about elevators and escalators.

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Books
Arts

Author Interview: Annie Dillard, Author of 'The Abundance'

9:59am March 12, 2016

by NPR Staff

NPR's Melissa Block asks Annie Dillard about the celebrated author's "masculine mind," her decision to write less, and her baseball skills. Dillard's new collection of essays is called The Abundance.

Books
Arts

'I Ate A Lot Of Apples': Tracy Chevalier On Writing Her 'Orchard' Novel

9:30am March 12, 2016

by NPR Staff

The author's latest book, At the Edge of the Orchard, follows a pioneer family growing apple trees in Ohio. Chevalier says she got the idea after hearing the real story of Johnny Appleseed.

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Afghanistan Show Aims To Fix City Problems

9:02am March 12, 2016

"Cleaning Your City" is a radio show in Afghanistan where the hosts field complaints from citizens, and call people in power to fix the problems. NPR's Melissa Block talks to co-host Massood Sanjer.

Books
Arts

Bravery Among The Ruins In 'Noonday'

7:00am March 12, 2016

by Jean Zimmerman

Pat Barker's latest novel completes the trilogy she began with Life Class. Her first foray into the World War II era is rich with evocative language, though it occasionally verges on soap opera.