Books

Books

Jhumpa Lahiri On Her Unique Use Of Place In 'Whereabouts'

4:44pm April 27, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with author Jhumpa Lahiri about her unusual use of place in her new novel, Whereabouts, which she first wrote in Italian and translated herself into English.

John McCain attends a rally in the park on Jan. 31, 2000 in Keene, NH, with his family (from left to right) daughter Bridget (8), wife Cindy, sons Jack (13) and Jimmy (10), and daughter Meghan (15).

In 'Stronger,' Cindy McCain Reflects On Life, And The Last Days, With John McCain

4:09am April 27, 2021

by Claudia Grisales

In her memoir, the late senator's wife details a decision on emergency surgery in John McCain's final days, reviews their 38 years of marriage — and offers her thoughts on Donald Trump.

Hooked author Michael Moss says processed food companies appeal to our childhood nostalgia: "What we eat is all about memory."

Cheap, Legal And Everywhere: How Food Companies Get Us 'Hooked' On Junk

3:57pm April 26, 2021

by Dave Davies

Reporter Michael Moss says processed foods can be as alluring in some ways as cocaine or cigarettes. His new book explains how companies keep us snacking by appealing to nostalgia and brain chemistry.

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Books

'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,' Remains An Iconic Poem, 70 Years In

9:48am April 25, 2021

by Tom Vitale

For National Poetry Month, we take stock of the poem Dylan Thomas wrote about death that continues to resonate in pop culture 70 years after it was penned.

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Arts

Embarrassed By Your Parents? 'Watercress' Explores That Universal Kid Experience

8:43am April 25, 2021

by Samantha Balaban

A little girl is initially ashamed when her immigrant parents stop the car to forage for watercress by the side of the road — until she learns more about her family's history in China.

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Arts

'Curb' Uses Poetry To Scrub At The Wounds Of Anti-Asian Racism

7:00am April 25, 2021

by Jenny Bhatt

Divya Victor's new book is a compilation of poems, memories, histories and essays, considering domestic terrorism against Asian Americans, in urgent words that spill out on the page like blood.

PreachersNSneakers: Authenticity in an Age of For-Profit Faith and (Wannabe) Celebrities by Ben Kirby

This Sunday, Visit 'PreachersNSneakers' For Fashion, Flexing And For-Profit Faith

5:02pm April 24, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

In 2019 the PreachersNSneakers Instagram account started calling attention to famous preachers and their designer clothes. Ben Kirby, the no-longer anonymous person behind the account, has a new book.

Jessie Mei Li stars as Alina Starkov in the new Netflix series, Shadow and Bone, adapted from author Leigh Bardugo's works.

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Arts

On Netflix, Leigh Bardugo's 'Shadow And Bone' Celebrates A Diverse Grishaverse

5:02pm April 24, 2021

"I never want people to feel like fantasy and romance and magic and adventure belong to just one kind of person," the fantasy author says. A new Netflix series is adapted from her works.

Books
Arts

'In Deeper Waters' Is A Frothy Romantic Confection

10:00am April 24, 2021

by Caitlyn Paxson

F.T. Lukens' earnest new seafaring romance follows a young prince desperate to hide his magical powers from the pirates who've kidnapped him — and the mysterious boy who comes to his rescue.

Books

Boynton, Ma Join Forces For 'Jungle Night,' A Book With Soundtrack, Video

8:32am April 24, 2021

Author and illustrator Sandra Boynton teamed up with cello superstar Yo-Yo Ma for Jungle Night — a playful board book for toddlers. They talk with NPR's Scott Simon about the project.