In A Dark Time, The Eye Begins to See: A 2016 Poetry Preview
2016 brings with it an exciting crop of poetry books. Here are our picks for the best verse of the new year.
Arts
An Artistic Time Capsule Prepares To Hitch A Ride To The Moon
When a company named Astrobotic launches a lunar rover in 2017, the MoonArk will be aboard. It's a lightweight, sturdy "portrait of humanity," carrying the work of more than 200 artists and designers.
'Downtown Abbey' Begins Its Sixth And Final Season
And it's about time the mansion closed its doors for the last time, says reviewer Eric Deggans.
George R.R. Martin Admits 'Winter' Isn't Coming — At Least, Not For A While
The writer says he missed an end-of-year deadline to finish Winds of Winter, the sixth book in the Game of Thrones series. The delay means the show will air the next season before its source material.
Absorbing Mystery Novel Offers A Glimpse Into Mormon Utah
The second mystery by Mette Ivie Harrison boasts details about contemporary Mormon life that most of us aren't privy to. NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates says His Right Hand is is her "one that got away."
Fresh Air Weekend: Our Critics Pick The Best TV, Books, Movies And Music Of 2015
David Bianulli picks the best TV shows of the year. Short books dominate Maureen Corrigan's best book list. David Edelstein recommends the year's best films. Ken Tucker assesses the best music of '15.
Authors Of 'All American Boys' Talk About How Book Has Sparked Race Discussion
In All American Boys, a video of a policeman beating a black student goes viral. The book's authors, Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, talk about how their story is sparking conversations about race.
Charlie Hebdo, The Licensed Anarchist Clowns Of French Society
NPR's Scott Simon talks with Adam Gopnik, who wrote the foreword to Open Letter, a manifesto by Stephane Charbonnier, the editor of Charlie Hebdo who was killed when gunmen attacked the paper's offices.
Harlan Ellison Returns With A 'Can'tankerous' New Collection
The sci-fi legend is America's national curmudgeon — and his rage, humor and a little sadness are all on display in a new collection of short pieces, interspersed with thoughts about his 2014 stroke.
Encore: Artist Makes It Big With Adult Coloring Books
As adult coloring books hit the bestseller list on Amazon, NPR's Audie Cornish talks to illustrator Johanna Basford. This story originally aired on April 1, 2015, on All Things Considered.