Arts

The Tyson Library in Ludlow, Vt., is required to support itself independently; public libraries in Vermont receive no state funding.

Books
Arts

For You To Borrow, Some Libraries Have To Go Begging

4:14pm August 19, 2013

by Neda Ulaby

Most Americans say public libraries are important to the community — but eight states don't actually support them. Texas has cut budgets drastically; in Vermont, local librarians must go hand in hand to town meetings every year. Neda Ulaby reports on the landscape of library funding across the U.S.

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Arts

Caleb Caudle and Haley Dreis: Songs of Tobacco Town

8:18am August 19, 2013

by David Ford

Blurt Magazine says Winston-Salem singer/songwriter Caleb

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Debbie Macomber's latest book is Rose Harbor in Bloom.

Books
Arts

Fans Are Like Friends To 'Reigning Queen' Of Women's Fiction

6:12pm August 18, 2013

by Petra Mayer

Debbie Macomber's books don't get a lot of critical attention, but they've sold in the hundreds of millions. Her fans feel like they know and love the woman behind the words, so her publisher threw a party for them.

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A luxury home in an unfinished subdivision

Books
Arts

A Dystopian View Of America's 'Fallen' Suburbs

6:03pm August 18, 2013

by NPR Staff

Patrick Flanery's taut new novel, Fallen Land, delves into the housing crisis, creeping corporate surveillance and a "crisis of neighborliness" in American life. The backdrop: a half-built and crumbling subdivision outside of an unnamed American city.

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Arts

The Words Vivien Leigh Left Behind

7:35am August 18, 2013

An upcoming exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London celebrates the life of the actress, including diary entries, film scripts and personal letters to Leigh from Winston Churchill, Graham Green and the Queen Mother. Host Scott Simon speaks with exhibit curator Keith Lodwick.

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Mark Lee Gardner's has appeared on the History Channel, PBS' American Experience and BBC Radio.

Books
Arts

What Drove Wild West's Jesse James To Become An Outlaw?

5:57pm August 17, 2013

by NPR Staff

In Shot All To Hell, author Mark Lee Gardner explores the roots of James' life of crime following the Civil War.

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Julia della Croce says pistachio pesto is an economical — and delicious — alternative when Italian pine nuts can cost up to $120 per pound.

Arts
Economy

Don't Let The Price Of Pine Nuts Keep You From Pesto

5:10pm August 16, 2013

by Serri Graslie

Hungry bugs and warmer temperatures mean pine trees aren't producing as many seeds as they once did, driving up the cost of Italian pine nuts to $120 per pound in some cases. Cookbook author Julia della Croce found a colorful — and delicious — alternative in pistachios.

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A man cleans quinoa grain in Pacoma, Bolivia.

Can Quinoa Farming Go Global Without Leaving Andeans Behind?

3:53pm August 16, 2013

by Dan Charles

At a "quinoa summit" this week, farmers from around the world are trading tips on how to turn this ancient Andean grain into a large-scale crop. Some Andean farmers who currently grow quinoa are asking, "What happens to us?"

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Before the midseason break, Breaking Bad's Walter White (Bryan Cranston) had stashed away plenty of drug money, but may have inadvertently tipped off his DEA agent brother-in-law.

Arts

A 'Curb'-Like Comedy And The Return Of 'Breaking Bad'

1:55pm August 16, 2013

by David Bianculli

This weekend, AMC begins showing the final episodes of its acclaimed drama series, and launches a new one: Low Winter Sun. Meanwhile, HBO presents its newest made-for-TV movie — this one a comedy, starring and co-written by Larry David.

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Arts

Bryan Ledbetter: Designing Success

1:54pm August 16, 2013

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