Books

Bartender Sunny Balzano (left) transformed a longshoremen's bar in Red Hook, Brooklyn into a local institution. He's pictured above with Tim Sultan, who recounts Balzano's story in Sunny's Nights.

Books
Arts

Longtime Brooklyn Bartender Who Inspired 'Sunny's Nights' Has Died

5:39pm March 11, 2016

by Joel Rose

Sunny Balzano was the genial and eccentric proprietor of a beloved bar in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He died Thursday at 81, just weeks after the publication of a new book about his life and times.

Books
Arts

Remembering 'Great Santini' Author Pat Conroy

1:28pm March 11, 2016

Conroy, who died last week, was the author of several books, two of which — The Great Santini and The Prince of Tides — were made into feature films. He spoke to Terry Gross in 1987, 1995 and 2002.

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Arts

Tales Of Sex, Corruption And 'Peacekeeping' In A Fictional Haiti

7:00am March 11, 2016

by Jason Sheehan

Mischa Berlinski's novel is about a failed Florida policeman trying to make a new life in Haiti. Critic Jason Sheehan says the book explores "the gray middles of everything."

Publishing Heavyweights Petition White House, Congress To End Cuba Book Embargo

8:24pm March 10, 2016

by Laura Wagner

The petition, which comes just before President Obama's historic visit to the island nation, says the embargo is "harmful to book culture" and "counter to American ideals of free expression."

Books
Arts

Wild Energy Flows Free In A Feminist Comics Anthology

10:32am March 10, 2016

by Etelka Lehoczky

The Complete Wimmen's Comix collects two decades of the groundbreaking all-women series. Critic Etelka Lehoczky calls it a "frenetic, anarchic, occasionally kamikaze production."

Books
Arts

'Bullies', A Story Of Friendship, Booze And Brawls In An Oakland Biker Bar

1:30pm March 09, 2016

Alex Abramovich was in his 30s when he looked up a guy who had bullied him in grade school. In his new memoir, Abramovich writes about reconnecting with Trevor, now the head of a motorcycle club.

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Books
Arts

'What Is Not Yours' Is Flawless

9:41am March 09, 2016

by Michael Schaub

Helen Oyeyemi's new story collection has all the sly humor, gorgeous writing and magical characterization as her novels. Critic Michael Schaub calls it a dreamy, spellbinding masterpiece.

There Are Times When Journalists Must Take A Stand, Jorge Ramos Says

5:58am March 09, 2016

Steve Inskeep talks to Univision anchor Jorge Ramos about his book, Take A Stand: Lessons From Rebels. Ramos will be one of the moderators at Wednesday's Washington Post-Univision Democratic debate.

An Addict, Now Clean, Discusses Needle Exchanges And 'Hope After Heroin'

3:38pm March 08, 2016

At the height of her addiction to heroin, Tracey Helton Mitchell lived in an alley and sold her body. Now she works as an addiction specialist helping others. Her new memoir is The Big Fix.

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J.K. Rowling Releases Part 1 Of New 'Magic in North America' Series

2:31pm March 08, 2016

by Laura Wagner

In the first of a four-part essay series, the Harry Potter author delves into the previously unaddressed world of magic in North America, whetting fans' appetites ahead of new spinoff movie.