Short Stories In 'Orange World'
NPR's Scott Simon speaks with author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Karen Russell about her new, otherworldly, collection of short stories, Orange World.
Books
'Red, White & Royal Blue' Reigns As Must-Read Romance
Casey McQuiston's tale of a British prince who falls for the son of the U.S. president (who's a woman, by the way) is a snappy, banter-packed rom-com that's also empowering and uplifting.
Herman Wouk, 'The Jackie Robinson Of Jewish-American Fiction,' Dies At 103
Wouk was famous for writing The Winds of War, Marjorie Morningstar and The Caine Mutiny, which won a Pulitzer Prize. He also helped popularize themes that writers like Philip Roth later tackled.
Novelist Stephen McCauley Embraces Life On A 'Small, Everyday Scale'
McCauley's novel, My Ex-Life, is a comedy about a couple whose marriage ended years ago when the husband came out as gay. "All relationships evolve," he says. Originally broadcast June 20, 2018.
Rachel Barenbaum's 'A Bend In The Stars' Tells A Tale Of Injustice And Romance
Barenbaum says she was inspired by the story of Albert Einstein's race to prove his theory of relativity. The novel digs into questions of philosophy, time, and whether rules are meant to be broken.
'How Shostakovich Changed My Mind' Touches On The Music-Body Connection
BBC music broadcaster Stephen Johnson's remarkably diverse aesthetic and personal sensitivity are on full display in his new book on the Russian composer's music — and his own personal struggles.
'Love Is A Thing That Everyone Wants,' Says Author Of 'The Sun Is Also A Star'
A Jamaican teen threatened with deportation falls in love over the course of a single day in the film adaptation of Nicola Yoon's bestselling young adult romance novel.
Friendship Keeps You Human In 'Rules For Visiting'
Jessica Francis Kane's new novel follows a prickly, 40-something gardener who — inspired by the friendless fate of Beowulf's monstrous Grendel — decides to reconnect with four of her oldest friends.
The Generic Drugs You're Taking May Not Be As Safe Or Effective As You Think
Journalist Katherine Eban says most of the generic medicine being sold in the U.S. is manufactured overseas — sometimes under questionable quality control standards. Her new book is Bottle of Lies.
New Book Collection Broadens Discussion On Appalachia
The second annual Greensboro Bound Literary Festival opens Thursday, and features over 65 free events through the weekend.