Author Interviews

Phoebe Robinson hosts the podcast 2 Dope Queens.

Books
Arts

Phoebe Robinson: There's No Excuse For The Lack Of Diversity In Comedy

1:26pm October 15, 2018

by Terry Gross

"There are so many talented, amazing people and if you're not booking them, it's either out of laziness or the fact you really don't care," says the co-host of the 2 Dope Queens podcast.

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Books
Arts

Novelist Esi Edugyan On Depicting The 'Forgotten Figures' Of Scientific History

1:23pm October 15, 2018

by Sam Briger

Edugyan's latest novel, Washington Black, tells the story of a boy who escapes slavery and embarks on a voyage of scientific discovery. It has been shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize.

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Getting 'The Band' Together: Questions For Nicholas Eames

12:48pm October 15, 2018

by Jason Heller

Author Nicholas Eames's series The Band is a joyous mashup of classic rock and fantasy tropes — because if there were monsters, why wouldn't there be bands of celebrity mercenaries to slay them?

MacArthur 'Genius' Poet Natalie Diaz Tackles Issues Facing Native Americans

6:09pm October 14, 2018

Poet Natalie Diaz speaks with NPR's Shereen Marisol Meraji about being selected for a MacArthur "Genius" Grant. Her work focuses on social justice issues and her Mojave and Latina heritage.

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Firearms are exhibited at the annual NRA convention in Dallas this past May. RJ Young's book Let It Bang examines the NRA's relationship with race through his personal, unexpected interest in guns.

The 'Young Black Man' Who Reluctantly Became An NRA-Certified Instructor

6:09pm October 14, 2018

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

RJ Young developed an interest in guns in order to bond with his white father-in-law. The experience is chronicled is his new book, Let It Bang.

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Books

'Unsheltered' Tackles The Unhealed Divisions In America

8:00am October 14, 2018

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with Barbara Kingsolver about her novel "Unsheltered," where a dilapidated Victorian house, family fortunes in decline and the pressures of middle age all converge.

Watch out for Merlina — she'll steal your lunch with no regrets.

'The Ravenmaster' Is Definitely (There) For The Birds

8:00am October 14, 2018

by Petra Mayer

Legend says that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, England will fall. Luckily, ravenmaster Chris Skaife is there to care for them, and he's got a new book about these extraordinary birds.

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Smoke engulfs the Los Angeles Public Library on April 29, 1986. Susan Orlean tells the story of the fire in The Library Book.

Books
Arts

Mystery Of A Massive Library Fire Remains Unsolved After More Than 30 Years

8:05am October 13, 2018

by Scott Simon

On April 29, 1986, fire tore through Los Angeles' Central Library — more than one million books were damaged or destroyed. Susan Orlean tells the story of the suspected arson in The Library Book.

Books
Arts

'Heavy': Kiese Laymon's Memoir Examines How People Absorb Trauma

8:05am October 13, 2018

NPR's Scott Simon talks to Kiese Laymon about his relationship with his mother as well as his addiction to food and gambling. Both are documented in his new book, "Heavy: An American Memoir."

Gmorning, Gnight! by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonny Sun

Books
Arts

In 'Gmorning, Gnight!' Jonny Sun And Lin-Manuel Miranda Craft A Peppy Pick-Me-Up

7:56pm October 12, 2018

by Ailsa Chang

What if, instead of reaching compulsively for your phone for comfort and distraction, you could pick up a book? That's what Lin-Manuel Miranda and illustrator Jonny Sun aimed for in their new book.

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