Author Interviews

Books
Arts

From Poker Amateur To World Series Competitor In 'The Noble Hustle'

1:44pm February 27, 2015

Colson Whitehead's book, now out in paperback, was born of an assignment to write about the World Series of Poker. It's a sharp observational tale of poker: those who play it and how it changed him.

Queue Listen Now

Val James of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes warmup prior to a preseason game against the Boston Bruins at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1986.

As First Black American NHL Player, Enforcer Was Defenseless Against Racism

10:03am February 27, 2015

by David Sommerstein

Val James became the first American-born black player in the NHL in 1982. He faced vicious racism, including fans throwing bananas on the ice. After 30 years in silence, he is talking about it now.

Queue Listen Now

This NASA file image shows a true color photo of Saturn assembled from images collected by Voyager 2.

Exploring The Solar System Through The Eyes Of Robotic Voyagers

9:06am February 27, 2015

by NPR Staff

The Voyager spacecraft revolutionized our understanding of space. In a new book, The Interstellar Age, planetary scientist Jim Bell shares stories about the planning and excitement back on Earth.

Queue Listen Now

'Don't Be Afraid Of The Bullets' A Memoir Of Reporting In Yemen

9:42pm February 26, 2015

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to journalist Laura Kasinof about her memoir on her experience reporting in Yemen during the Arab Spring called, Don't Be Afraid of the Bullets.

Queue Listen Now

Philip Connors' first book Fire Season was about how he spent a few months every year for eight years as a fire lookout, living in a cabin and scanning the horizon with binoculars atop a 45-foot tower in a remote region of New Mexico.

Books
Arts

After His Brother's Suicide, Writer Seeks Comfort In 'All The Wrong Places'

8:35pm February 24, 2015

In his new memoir, Philip Connors writes about "living in the shadow of a suicide." Wracked by guilt and haunted by what-ifs, Connors investigated his brother's death and learned a terrible secret.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

Family Secrets — And Mango Chutney — In 'Don't Let Him Know'

2:56pm February 24, 2015

by NPR Staff

Longtime Morning Edition commentator Sandip Roy has written a new novel, propelled by family secrets, which crisscrosses back and forth between the two "Cals" in his life: California and Calcutta.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

Struggling Writer's Debut Novel Gets Coveted Oprah Winfrey Nod

7:53pm February 23, 2015

by Karen Grigsby Bates

Oprah Winfrey has named Ruby, a novel about a beautiful, abused woman in Texas, as her March book club selection. That could make first-time novelist Cynthia Bond into a literary star.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

'After Birth' Author On 'Mommy Wars': 'It Doesn't Have To Be This Way'

6:40pm February 23, 2015

by NPR Staff

"We are pitted against each other and ultimately, then, are pitted against ourselves," says writer Elisa Albert. Her new novel is about the singular and universal experience of having a baby.

Queue Listen Now

David Treuer is the author of three previous novels and two books of nonfiction, including Rez Life. He also teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Southern California

Books
Arts

Prisoners Of War And Ojibwe Reservation Make Unlikely Neighbors In 'Prudence'

3:09pm February 23, 2015

Native American writer David Treuer bases the World War II camp for German prisoners on a real-life one that existed near the village of Bena, Minn., on the Leech Lake Reservation where he grew up.

Queue Listen Now

She-Hulk, Dazzler, Medusa and Nico Minoru are some of the characters that make up Marvel's A-Force.

Books
Arts

The Woman Behind Marvel's Newest Team Of Heroines

2:02pm February 23, 2015

by NPR Staff

G. Willow Wilson says it's been a blast creating a team of all-female Avengers for the new Marvel Universe coming in May. "We really got no directives besides 'Pick your team and go nuts,' " she says.

Queue Listen Now