Books

A Natural History Of Hell By Jeffrey Ford

Books
Arts

Darkness And Magic Abound In 'Natural History Of Hell'

6:40pm July 12, 2016

by Jason Heller

Jeffrey Ford's new story collection is packed with fairies, demons, historical figures and death personified: not always the freshest concepts, but when the stories work, they're enthrallingly eerie.

Books
Arts

'Almighty' Follows Activists In The Fight Against Nuclear Weapons

4:26pm July 12, 2016

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to Washington Post reporter and author Dan Zak about his latest book, Almighty, about anti-nuclear weapons activism.

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Cover detail of The Transmigration of Bodies, by Yuri Herrera

Books
Arts

2 Brilliantly Written Novels From Mexico Head Up A Wave Of Literary Talent

2:10pm July 11, 2016

by John Powers

Critic John Powers says there's a boom in good fiction emerging from Mexico. He recommends Among Strange Victims, by Daniel Saldaña París, and The Transmigration of Bodies, by Yuri Herrera.

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Former Police Chief Has A Plan For 'How To Fix America's Police'

6:20pm July 10, 2016

Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper says in his book To Protect and Serve: How to Fix America's Police that policing is in crisis. He says more emphasis needs to be put on community policing.

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How The 'Perfect 10' Became A Thing Of The Past In Gymnastics

5:18pm July 10, 2016

Dvora Meyers' book The End of the Perfect 10 looks at the new scoring system for international gymnastics competitions and the evolution and demise of the iconic "perfect 10" score.

Reflecting On Police Shootings, Author Kwame Alexander Focuses On Next Generation

9:13am July 10, 2016

Children's author Kwame Alexander discusses last week's killing of Alton Sterling and Philando Castille, in addition to the shootings of the Dallas police officers.

Former Evangelical Pastor Rethinks His Approach To Courtship

9:13am July 10, 2016

Josh Harris, a former evangelical pastor, wrote an influential book on Christian courtship. NPR's Rachel Martin talks with him about the criticism he's gotten from people who grew up reading his book.

Books
Arts

Empathy Qualifies 'Ask Polly' Columnist To Tell Advice-Seekers 'How To Be A Person In The World'

9:13am July 10, 2016

It's not easy to be a person, but Heather Havrilesky of the "Ask Polly" column has some advice. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks to Havrilesky's about her new book, How to Be a Person in the World.

You Are Having A Good Time By Amie Barrodale

Books
Arts

Is 'You Are Having A Good Time' Beautiful Or Grotesque? Yes

7:00am July 10, 2016

by Carmen Maria Machado

Amie Barrodale's debut collection is packed with ill-advised relationships and broken, mean characters in ugly, funny scenarios; these stories live at the intersection of discomfort and pleasure.

Books
Arts

'I Write About Awful People,' Says Gay Talese

12:02pm July 09, 2016

by NPR Staff

"I'm a little bit drawn to what is forbidden," Talese adds, and he draws readers along with him in his latest book, The Voyeur's Motel, based on the journals of an innkeeper who spied on his guests.

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