Christian Grey Began His Fictional Career As A Vampire
Fifty Shades of Grey started out as fan fiction for the young adult series, Twilight, and morphed into a racy tale about a kinky billionaire.
Book News & Features
Reforming Prisoners Through Poetry
For the last 40 years, poet Richard Shelton has been helping prisoners in Arizona reclaim their humanity. NPR's Arun Rath talks with Shelton about his work.
'Alphabetical' Tells The Story Behind Every Letter, A To Z
There are 26 letters in the English alphabet. But how did they get there, and why do they look the way they do? Michael Rosen looks for answers in his new book Alphabetical.
From 'Game Of Thrones' Pitch Letter: No One Is Safe
A 22-year-old book proposal from George R.R. Martin to his publisher gives host Scott Simon a window into the early plotlines of the Game of Thrones fantasy series.
For Black History Month, Letters To Reveal And Inspire
February is Black History Month — but it's also a month to celebrate the lost art of letter writing. K. Tempest Bradford examines the overlap, and recommends some good historical letter collections.
Harper Lee's Friend Says Author Is Hard Of Hearing, Sound Of Mind
News of a second novel has raised concerns that the To Kill a Mockingbird author is being taken advantage of in her old age. But friend Wayne Flynt says Lee, 88, can "understand what's going on."
Nonprofit Fights Illiteracy By Getting Books To Kids Who Need Them
For kids to be exposed to reading, families have to have books to read to them, which isn't a given — especially in low-income areas. First Book works to get quality literature into those communities.
Marvel At 75: Still Slinging Webs And Guarding Galaxies
What became Marvel Comics got its start in 1939 as Timely Publications. It went through many changes — but one constant has been writer Stanley Lieber, better known as Stan Lee.
ABC Tones Down Author's 'Fresh Off The Boat' For Sitcom Audience
ABC will break an important boundary in television Wednesday night with the debut of Fresh Off the Boat. It's the first network sitcom in two decades to star an Asian-American family.
55 Years After 'To Kill A Mockingbird', Harper Lee To Release New Novel
The publisher Harper is releasing a new book by Harper in July — Harper Lee that is. It's a follow-up to To Kill A Mockingbird, though it was actually written first.