Exploring Life's Incurable Soiledness With The Father Of Italian Noir
A crackling new translation of Giorgio Scerbanenco's crime novel Private Venus has just been released. Critic John Powers read it in a single sitting.
Books
Pakistan, The Taliban And The Real 'Enemy' Of The Afghanistan War
In a new book, New York Times correspondent Carlotta Gall offers new information about how Pakistan has helped the Taliban in Afghanistan and may have helped hide Osama bin Laden.
Empathy: How Should We Care About One Another?
Kelly McEvers talks to Leslie Jamison, author of the new essay collection, The Empathy Exams: Essays. The book takes the writer on a quest to figure out how others feel empathy.
Modern Medicine May Not Be Doing Your Microbiome Any Favors
In Missing Microbes, Dr. Martin Blaser argues that the overuse of antibiotics, as well as now-common practices like C-sections, may be messing with gut microbes.
NSA Coverage Garners Pulitzers For Post And Guardian
Winners of the 2014 Pulitzer Prizes were announced Monday. The Washington Post and The Guardian were among the notable winners, commended for together breaking the news of NSA surveillance programs.
Jackie Collins' Mob Princess Serves Up A Cookbook You Can't Refuse
Collins' The Lucky Santangelo Cookbook is named for her plucky heroine, the daughter of a former gangster. It's got recipes for linguine and the author's eponymous cocktail — but no health food.
A Sheep Killer Is On The Loose In 'All the Birds, Singing'
All The Birds, Singing is the second novel by Australian-British author Evie Wyld. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Wyld about her sinister story revolving around the life of Jake, a sheep farmer.
Poisoned Cigars And A Painful Chapter In Our History
This week saw celebrations of the anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and revelation of the ZunZuneo scandal. Paul Reyes and Ralph Eubanks recommend The Cultural Cold War and We Are Not Afraid.
After A Disaster In 'Family Life,' Relief Never Comes
Akhil Sharma took over a decade to write his novel, Family Life, a mostly autobiographical account of an immigrant family and an accident that shatters their dreams for the future.
A Nonbeliever Tries To Make Sense Of The Visions She Had As A Teen
Barbara Ehrenreich — a rationalist, atheist and scientist by training — has written a new memoir called Living With a Wild God: A Nonbeliever's Search for the Truth about Everything.