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Books
Arts

'Charlie Chan Hock Chye' Offers A Heartfelt Take On Aging, Art And History

11:07am March 08, 2016

by John Powers

John Powers reviews a new graphic novel that he describes as an astonishing work of imagination by the Singaporean writer and illustrator Sonny Liew. It's called The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye.

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Cover image of Imbeciles, by Adam Cohen.

The Supreme Court Ruling That Led To 70,000 Forced Sterilizations

10:11am March 08, 2016

In the first half of the 20th century, American eugenicists used forced sterilization to "breed out" traits they considered undesirable. Adam Cohen tells the story in his new book, Imbeciles.

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In 'The End Of Karma,' Young Indians Work To Overcome Their Past

4:30pm March 07, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Somini Sengupta, the former New Delhi bureau chief for The New York Times, about her book, The End of Karma: Hope and Fury Among India's Young.

Books
Arts

'For A Little While' Author On The Art Of The Short Story

4:30pm March 07, 2016

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to petroleum-geologist-turned-writer Rick Bass about the art of the short story, specifically his short stories. A collection of the short stories he's written over the years is called, For A Little While.

When Apple launched its first iPad back in 2010, the company also unveiled an e-books marketplace. Federal courts say the company broke antitrust laws by setting prices with book publishers to target Amazon and its Kindle reader.

Supreme Court Denies Apple's Appeal On E-Books, Triggering Millions In Payments

2:43pm March 07, 2016

by Bill Chappell

Apple must now pay $400 million to e-book purchasers. The case's roots date back at least six years, when Apple sold its first iPad models and sought to compete with books giant Amazon.

Modern Love: What It's Like To Fall, Quite Literally, In Love

7:25am March 06, 2016

Most people remember the first time they fall in love. In this excerpt from "Modern Love: The Podcast," the author writes about the actual fall that marked her first love.

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Arts

An Audacious Transformation Bogs Down In 'Blackass'

7:00am March 06, 2016

by Michael Schaub

A. Igoni Barrett's new novel is a long, bizarre riff on Kafka's Metamorphosis, transplanted to Nigeria. Reviewer Michael Schaub says Barrett's strong writing is ultimately mired in a rambling plot.

Author Pat Conroy at a benefit reading for actor Frank Muller in 2002 in New York City.

Books
Arts

Remembering Pat Conroy, A Master Who Used His Tortured Life To Tell Stories

8:09pm March 05, 2016

by Tom Vitale

The best-selling author of The Prince of Tides died Friday evening at the age of 70. At his death he was concluding work on his latest book, Aquarius.

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Arts

'Rodeo' Gets In Touch With The Wild, Both Inside And Out

10:00am March 05, 2016

by Heller McAlpin

Adoption is a metaphor for cultural dislocation in Boris Fishman's new novel, which follows an immigrant Jewish couple in New Jersey who adopt a baby from Minnesota — and set out to find his roots.

Author Pat Conroy Dies At 70

7:26am March 05, 2016

The "Prince of Tides" author Pat Conroy, age 70, has died. He had pancreatic cancer. NPR's Scott Simon spoke with Conroy in 2010 about the people who shaped him as a writer, and as a reader.