Books

Books

British Novelist Reimagines The Life And Death Of Hamnet Shakespeare

4:15pm July 21, 2020

Almost nothing is known about William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, who died at age 11. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Maggie O'Farrell about her new novel, which imagines the boy's life and death.

Alex Trebek attends the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation at the Official Residence of Canada on June 30, 2017 in Los Angeles.

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Arts

Alex Trebek Is Here To Tell You, 'The Answer Is ...'

2:54pm July 21, 2020

by David Greene

The Jeopardy! host didn't plan to write an autobiography. "I'm just a quiz show host who's been doing the same job for 36 years," he says. But writing the book gave him "a great deal of satisfaction."

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To Stop Deadly Overdoses, 'The Opioid Fix' Urges Better Use Of Tools We Already Have

2:05pm July 21, 2020

by Carrie Feibel

Early data suggest the pandemic may be driving up overdoses. Author Barbara Andraka-Christou says the solution to the addiction crisis is right before us: Improve access to life-saving medication.

An Advocate For The Wrongly Convicted Reflects On Faith, Justice And Innocence

1:30pm July 21, 2020

by Terry Gross

"I saw firsthand how police and prosecutors manipulate evidence, coerce witnesses into giving false testimony," says Jim McCloskey of Centurion Ministries. His memoir is When Truth is All You Have.

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The Real 'Hamnet' Died Centuries Ago, But This Novel Is Timeless

10:58am July 21, 2020

by Heller McAlpin

Maggie O'Farrell's new novel confronts a parent's worst nightmare: The loss of a child. In this case, it's Hamnet, the real-life son of William Shakespeare, whose death may have inspired Hamlet.

Alex Trebek on the set of Jeopardy! on Dec. 19, 2019.

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In 'The Answer Is ...' Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek Carefully Curates His Responses

4:00am July 21, 2020

by Eric Deggans

In his new memoir, the TV icon reflects on his cancer diagnosis and presents brief, sometimes compelling glimpses into his history, as he aims to convince the world he's just an average guy.

White Fragility on display in June at the Frugal Bookstore in Boston. John McWhorter says the book is condescending toward Black people.

Linguist John McWhorter Says 'White Fragility' Is Condescending Toward Black People

4:54pm July 20, 2020

by James Doubek

Columbia University professor John McWhorter says the bestselling book White Fragility supposes that "Black people's feelings must be stepped around to an exquisitely sensitive degree."

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Books

Phoebe Robinson Launches A Curated Line Of Books, Tiny Reparations Books

4:25pm July 20, 2020

NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks with comedian, actress, producer and author Phoebe Robinson about her upcoming imprint with publishing company Plume, Tiny Reparations Books.

'Black In Selma' Author Reflects On The Long March Toward Civil Rights

2:28pm July 20, 2020

by Terry Gross

The late J.L. Chestnut was the first Black lawyer in Selma, Ala. He was working with the NAACP at the time of the city's 1965 civil rights march. In 1990, he spoke to Fresh Air about Bloody Sunday.

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Arts

1918 Flu Inspired Donoghue's 'Pull Of The Stars' — A Disquieting Pandemic Novel

1:50pm July 20, 2020

by Maureen Corrigan

Set in a Dublin maternity ward in 1918, the novel captures a city devastated by a pandemic. By diving into the terrors of the past, Emma Donoghue presciently anticipates the miseries of our present.

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