Book Reviews

Books
Arts

An Ode To Our Newest Neighbor: Biden, The Pink Dwarf Planet

6:34pm March 28, 2014

In honor of the newly discovered planet, 2012 VP113, aka Biden, author Jason Sheehan recommends First Light by Richard Preston and Andy Weir suggests the short story "Flatlander," by Larry Niven.

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Books
Arts

Book Review: 'How To Dance As The Roof Caves In'

6:25pm March 27, 2014

by Tess Taylor

Poet Tess Taylor reviews Nick Lantz's third poetry collection, How to Dance As The Roof Caves In.

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Books
Arts

In Karen Russell's World, Sleep Is For The Lucky Few

10:14am March 27, 2014

by Alex Gilvarry

Karen Russell has set her latest story in a terrible future where insomnia has become a national crisis. Sleep Donation is a digital download from a new publisher called Atavist Books.

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A U.S. Marine walks during a security patrol on May 13, 2007, in Iraq's Anbar province

Books
Arts

'Redeployment' Explores Iraq War's Physical And Psychic Costs

8:13pm March 26, 2014

by John Powers

In his short story collection, former Marine Phil Klay takes his experience in Iraq and clarifies it, lucidly tracing the moral, political and psychological curlicues of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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A view of Jankara Market in Lagos, Nigeria.

Books
Arts

'Thief' Delivers An Unfiltered Depiction Of Life In Lagos

3:07pm March 25, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

Teju Cole's latest book describes a young New York doctor's visit back to his Nigerian hometown, where he encounters a Clockwork Orange world of misery and corruption.

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Illustration: a teen slouches in a chair, reading a book.

Books
Arts

5 Young Adult Novels That You'll Never Outgrow

4:05pm March 21, 2014

by Maggie Stiefvater

It was a strange and wonderful year for young adult fiction, says critic Maggie Stiefvater. This list rounds up five magical books for young adults and grown-ups alike.

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Nancy Pearl Scours The Shelves For Books You Might Have Missed

4:06pm March 20, 2014

by NPR Staff

NPR's go-to librarian recommends five "under the radar" books she thinks you should read this summer. They range from a Jane Austenesque love story to a real life, intellectual detective tale.

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Books
Arts

What U.S. Learned From 'Heathen School' Wasn't Part Of The Lesson Plan

9:51am March 19, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

The 19th century Connecticut school sought to convert young men from Hawaii, China, India and the Native American nations and then send them home as Christian missionaries. It did not go as planned.

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Illustration: A trophy sits on a pile of books.

Books
Arts

Best Of The Summer: 6 Books The Critics Adore

4:30pm March 18, 2014

by Lynn Neary

Have you ever found yourself in the library or a bookstore, about to go on vacation, with no idea what books to bring? NPR's Lynn Neary talks to three book critics about the best reads of the summer.

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Illustration: sculpture of a book on a pedestal.

Books
Arts

Lost And Found: 5 Forgotten Classics Worth Revisiting

4:25pm March 18, 2014

It's a tragedy, perhaps, but books do go out of print. Reviewer and editor Parul Sehgal recommends five that have come back to life.

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