Arts & Life

The Sour Cherry Tree, written by Naseem Hrab and illustrated by Nahid Kazemi

Books
Arts

In 'The Sour Cherry Tree,' a child keeps memories of her late grandfather close

2:43pm December 18, 2021

by Samantha Balaban

The day after her beloved Baba Bazorg dies, a little girl remembers some of her favorite things about him: his striped slippers, the mints in his pockets and the fig cookies he always shared.

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Books
Arts

Remembering 'Vampire Chronicles' author Anne Rice

11:59am December 18, 2021

by Terry Gross

Rice, who died Dec. 11, grew up in New Orleans and hit it big in 1976 with her first novel, Interview with the Vampire. She followed up with more than a dozen novels. Originally broadcast in 1990.

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Books
Arts

Remembering Greg Tate, a culture critic who focused on Black music and art

11:59am December 18, 2021

by Terry Gross

Tate's whirlwind writing, which appeared in The Village Voice and Rolling Stone, often referenced pop culture, literary theory and the latest slang. He died Dec. 7. Originally broadcast in 1992.

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Arts

Hollywood bard, muse and reveler Eve Babitz dies at 78

10:44am December 18, 2021

by The Associated Press

With warmth and candor, Eve Babitz chronicled the excesses of her native world in the 1960s and 1970s and became a cult figure to generations of readers.

(Clockwise) Wildermyth, Forza Horizon 5, Metroid Dread, Deathloop, Psychonauts 2

Arts

The best games of 2021 chosen by NPR

10:19am December 18, 2021

Our poll of NPR staff and contributors produced dozens dozens of favorite games. We've tagged ones that are appropriate for kids, and for those who may be new to the hobby.

Models walk the runway during Gucci Love Parade in Los Angeles in November.

Arts

Dust off the sequins and unpack the bedazzler — sparkle is back

9:34am December 18, 2021

by Kat Lonsdorf

After nearly two years of living in sweats in the shadow of a pandemic, people — and fashion designers and brands — are ready to step out and catch the light.

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Keke Palmer appears at the Brooklyn Expo Center in New York City on Sept. 18, 2019.

Arts

'Wait Wait' for Dec. 18, 2021: With Not My Job guest Keke Palmer

9:26am December 18, 2021

Keke Palmer is BUSY. An Emmy-winning actor, writer and singer, it seems there's nothing she can't do. We put that to the test when we ask her three questions about palm readers and other psychics.

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two women embracing; in the pages of a book

Books
Arts

2021 was rough, but romance books gave us life. Here are 13 favorites from this year

8:45am December 18, 2021

by Mia Estrada

Books We Love, formerly known as NPR's Book Concierge, is back for 2021. Here are a handful of romance novels that NPR staffers and independent critics named as some of their favorites of the year.

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A pen and black ink drawing by Albrecht Dürer titled "The Virgin and Child with a Flower on a grassy Bench" is seen at London Art Week dealer Agnews, on Nov. 19, in London.

Arts

Opinion: Albrecht Dürer's lesson for all of us today

8:32am December 18, 2021

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on "The Virgin and Child with a Flower on a Grassy Bank," by Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. The previously unknown drawing was unveiled this week in London.

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Anthony Tommasini, chief classical music critic for The New York Times.

Anthony Tommasini, classical critic for the Times, looks back ahead of retirement

8:13am December 18, 2021

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Anthony Tommasini, chief classical music critic for The New York Times, about his storied career and pending retirement.

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