Arts & Life

J.K. Rowling recently revealed herself to be the author of the mystery novel The Cuckoo's Calling.

Books
Arts

The Only Surprise In Rowling's 'Cuckoo's Calling' Is The Author

3:41pm July 18, 2013

by Maureen Corrigan

After "Robert Galbraith" was revealed to be the pen name for J.K. Rowling, many readers have been circling back to a "debut" novel they'd initially overlooked. Critic Maureen Corrigan says the mystery is respectable, but she will shelve it in the "I've read worse, but I've read better" category.

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Arts

Comedian Hari Kondabolu On Diversity, Race And Burger King

3:20pm July 18, 2013

by Elizabeth Blair

An Indian-American comedian unafraid to joke politely about race and politics, Hari Kondabolu regularly challenges long-standing beliefs with his material. While his comedy is about being treated like an outsider, the jokes offer a sense of community.

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Arts

Maria Bamford: A Seriously Funny Comedian

3:05pm July 18, 2013

The comedian's routines tackle some of the really serious problems she has: OCD, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts. But you have to laugh, because she's that funny. Bamford talks to Fresh Air's Terry Gross about her parents and her Web-only programs.

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Broadway performer Ruby Keeler was a source of optimism for many during the Depression era, and nostalgia hit audiences hard when she returned to the stage decades later.

Arts

For Actress Ruby Keeler, Another Opening, Another Show

7:11pm July 17, 2013

by Bob Mondello

The 1930s film star dropped out of sight for decades, only to return as the toast of 1970s Broadway.

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Before Alaska, the Pilgrim family — seen here in 1992 — lived an isolated life in New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

A Dark Family Secret Hidden For Years In Alaska's 'Wilderness'

8:00pm July 16, 2013

by NPR Staff

When the Pilgrim family first arrived in Alaska, they looked to be from another century. They didn't use calendar months, they called their father "Lord," and they knew how to live in the wild. But, as Tom Kizzia writes in Pilgrim's Wilderness, that rugged facade helped conceal a history of abuse.

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Sylvester's 1978 album Step II resulted in a couple of smash singles, "Dance (Disco Heat)" and "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)."

Sylvester: 'Mighty Real' Disco Star Deserves A Modern Spotlight

4:29pm July 16, 2013

by Milo Miles

A new collection of disco numbers, Mighty Real: Greatest Dance Hits, showcases the career of Sylvester. Music critic Milo Miles argues that Sylvester — an openly gay, superstar costume-wearer from the start — was not only a pioneer, but also someone with whom the times have finally caught up.

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Taylor Schilling and Lin Tucci in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

Arts

Laughs And Drama Behind Bars With 'Orange Is The New Black'

4:29pm July 16, 2013

by David Bianculli

Netflix recently unveiled its newest exclusive series: Orange Is the New Black, created by Jenji Kohan, who also created Weeds. All 13 one-hour episodes of the first season are available for streaming, and David Bianculli says the show is another Netflix success.

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Shashlik cooks on a hot grill. Kakheti, the easternmost province in the Republic of Georgia, is known for meats grilled over grapevines, which burn quickly, leaving a heap of finger-sized coals.

The Secret To Georgian Grilled Meats? Grapevines And Lots Of Wine

3:27pm July 16, 2013

by Corey Flintoff

The Republic of Georgia is renowned for its cuisine, one of the highlights of which is shashlik, or grilled meat. The secret to seal in the juices, some say, is an ancient technique of grilling over burning grapevines to create intense, fragrant heat.

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Use The Books, Fans: 'Star Wars' Franchise Thrives In Print

10:56am July 16, 2013

by NPR Staff

More than 200 novels, the Star Wars' book series spans 25,000 years, from the beginning of the Jedi Order to 40 years beyond where the original trilogy left off. According to The Wall Street Journal's Alexandra Alter, the books help keep fans interested between movies.

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Rowling says writing under a pseudonym was a "liberating experience."

Books
Arts

Aparecium! J.K. Rowling Revealed As 'Cuckoo' Mystery Author

6:54pm July 15, 2013

by NPR Staff

The Cuckoo's Calling, a debut mystery supposedly by a former British military man, was in fact written by Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, working under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. The novel received positive reviews when it came out earlier this year.

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