Books

Books

'Truevine' Tells The Tale Of 2 Black Albino Brothers Forced To Work For The Circus

7:25am October 17, 2016

by Lynn Neary

For years, black children around Roanoke, Va., heard the cautionary tale of Willie and George Muse, African American albino brothers who were kidnapped and forced to perform in a series of circuses.

Queue Listen Now

Books

'Nobody's Son': A Memoir Of Childhood, Emigration And A Mother's Love

7:28am October 16, 2016

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to author Mark Slouka's about his new memoir "Nobody's Son." It chronicles his family's life in 1940s Czechoslovakia, their emigration to Pennsylavnia, and his difficult relationship with his mother.

'Really Bad Chess': A Game That Introduces An Element Of Luck

7:28am October 16, 2016

Zach Gage is an artist and game maker who was frustrated by chess. So he made his own IOS version — Really Bad Chess — in which players get a random assortment of pieces instead of the typical lineup.

Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood (Raquel Zaldivar/NPR)

Books
Arts

In 'Hag-Seed,' A Gentle Guide To Shakespeare's Stormy Island

7:00am October 16, 2016

by Liza Graham

Margaret Atwood's retelling of The Tempest follows the exiled director of a Shakespeare festival, now reduced to putting on shows with convicts at an isolated rural prison.

Bob Dylan performed on the Late Show with David Letterman in 2015.

A Nobel In Literature For Bob Dylan, Whose Words Transcend Form

9:37pm October 15, 2016

by Scott Simon

When Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for Literature, many were surprised. But many novelists cheered, and performers of all kinds — from William Shatner to Kesha — have been inspired by Dylan's words.

Queue Listen Now

'Worst President Ever': One Author Says This Title Goes To James Buchanan

7:57am October 15, 2016

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with writer Robert Strauss about his new book, "Worst. President. Ever." Strauss looks at James Buchanan's time in office and argues he led the country to demise.

'Love For Sale': A History Of Pop Music That's As Personal As It Gets

7:57am October 15, 2016

NPR's Scott Simon talks to music critic David Hajdu about his new book, "Love For Sale," in which he chronicles the 100-plus year history of American pop music.

Ewan McGregor and Hannah Nordberg play a troubled father and daughter in American Pastoral.

Books
Arts

New 'American Pastoral' Movie Is A '60s Tale Still Relevant Today

7:57am October 15, 2016

by NPR Staff

The new film American Pastoral tells the story of a father in 1960s New Jersey whose comfortable, suburban life falls apart after his daughter becomes radicalized, commits a crime and disappears.

The Fireside Grown-Up Guide to the Hangover

Books
Arts

The 'Fireside Guide' Has Delightfully Simple Answers To Your Grown-Up Problems

7:00am October 15, 2016

by Jason Sheehan

The new Fireside Grown-Up Guide series is a throwback to the brightly-colored life lessons of your childhood. They're dark and dry and surprisingly funny, a pleasant tonic for your grown-up cares.

Taraji P. Henson plays family matriarch Cookie Lyon on Fox's Empire.

Books
Arts

'I Had To Create My Own Lane': How Taraji P. Henson Found Her Place In Hollywood

3:11pm October 14, 2016

by Karen Grigsby Bates

The actress became famous for her role in TV's Empire, but the road to Cookie wasn't easy. In her new memoir, Around the Way Girl, Henson shares stories of pushing her way to the top.

Queue Listen Now