Arts & Life

Jay McInerney is the author of four books, including the 1984 semi-autobiographical novel, Bright Lights, Big City.

Books
Arts

Beyond 'Bright Lights': Jay McInerney Reveals The Trials Of A 'Perfect Couple'

7:28pm August 01, 2016

McInerney became famous in the 1980s for his semi-autobiographical novel about a hard-partying young man in Manhattan. His new book, Bright, Precious Days, probes the challenges of a lasting marriage.

Queue Listen Now

Jane Lane and Daria Morgendorffer from the MTV series Daria.

MTV Looks To Capitalize On Nostalgia With New 'Classic' Channel

7:18pm August 01, 2016

by Stephen Thompson

MTV turns 35 Monday, and is marking the occasion with a channel called MTV Classic, which will air MTV programming from the 1990s and 2000s.

Queue Listen Now

Quiosque de Refresco do Largo da Sé, in Alfama, Lisbon. More than a century and a half ago, these ornate little kiosks began cropping up in the city's parks and plazas, becoming the heart of public life. But they fell into disrepair and all but disappear

History, Horchata And Hope: How Classic Kiosks Are Boosting Lisbon's Public Life

10:58am August 01, 2016

by The Kitchen Sisters

Ornate refreshment kiosks were once the heart of Lisbon's parks and plazas. They faded away under a dictatorship that discouraged public gatherings. Now they're back to help revitalize the city.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

Megan Abbott's Latest Novel: 'You Will Know Me'

9:06am July 31, 2016

Do we really know those we're closest to? The riveting book "You Will Know Me," set in the world of competitive gymnastics, suggests not. NPR's Elise Hu speaks with author Megan Abbott.

Midnight Release Party Summons Muggles For Eighth Harry Potter Installment

8:55am July 31, 2016

by Petra Mayer

The latest book in J.K. Rowling's series, really a script for a play, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," went on sale at midnight. We check in with fans who lined up, wands in hand, to get a copy.

Books
Arts

'Dark Matter' Is A Jet-Propelled Science Thriller

7:00am July 31, 2016

by Jason Sheehan

Blake Crouch's new book — about a mild-mannered professor who's conked on the head and wakes up in another universe — doesn't make much sense, but it's a fast, tasty read with a killer twist.

Sharon Jones performs at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 23, 2015.

Arts

Not My Job: Sharon Jones Gets Quizzed On Handshakes

11:22am July 30, 2016

We've invited the lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings to play a game called "Let's shake on it."

Queue Listen Now

Russian Hacking, Spies, Wikileaks: "Breaking Cover" Has A Lot In Common With The Week In Politics

9:19am July 30, 2016

Former M15 boss Dame Stella Rimington talks with Scott Simon about her new book, and her previous career in espionage.

Books
Arts

Dentist Protagonists In Literature

9:19am July 30, 2016

Last week on the show author Dave Eggers and Scott Simon agreed that they couldn't think of any protagonists in fiction who are dentists. This week we have a correction, and literary dentist readings.

Books
Arts

'I'm Supposed To Protect You From All This' Is Memoir Fraught With Mystery

8:44am July 30, 2016

by NPR Staff

Nadja Spiegelman — daughter of graphic novelist Art Spiegelman and New Yorker art editor Françoise Mouly — has written a memoir about her mother, her grandmother, and their flawed family memories.