Books

Books
Arts

'Harriet Chance' Explores Late-Life Reinvention

11:38am September 05, 2015

NPR's Scott Simon talks to Jonathan Evison about his new novel, This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance, in which the title character finds herself on an Alaskan cruise with the ghost of her husband and a daughter she can't trust.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

'Dragon Heart' Is Epic Fantasy With A Gothic Air

7:03am September 05, 2015

by Jason Heller

Historical novelist Cecelia Holland ventures into fantasy with this tale of a mute princess and a dragon. Critic Jason Heller says the book has an intriguing and unexpected core of Gothic romance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 children has an autism spectrum disorder.

'NeuroTribes' Examines The History — And Myths — Of The Autism Spectrum

4:35pm September 04, 2015

Steve Silberman talks about how Nazi extermination plans and a discredited scientific paper about childhood vaccines shaped our current understanding of autism.

Queue Listen Now

Author Jennifer Jordan at an apple farm in the Central coast of California circa 1976.

Books
Arts

Why Are We Drawn To Heirloom Fruits And Veggies? They're 'Edible Memory'

2:01pm September 04, 2015

by Eliza Barclay

Heirloom foods have grown in popularity, making their way into gardens, farms, farmers markets and restaurants. A sociologist says they offer a powerful emotional and physical connection to the past.

Books
Arts

'Sorcerer' Is A Delightful Romp With Deep, Solid Roots

3:40pm September 03, 2015

by Amal El-Mohtar

Zen Cho's new novel is a charming, character-driven romance, set in a magic-ridden Regency England — but there are serious questions of race and class underpinning the lighthearted action.

Books
Arts

A Compelling Plot Gives Way To Farce In Franzen's Purity

7:04pm September 02, 2015

by Roxane Gay

The new novel reveals sharp observations and a great, sprawling story. But critic Roxane Gay says the book gets bogged down with absurdly drawn characters and misfired critiques of modern life.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

'Twelve Kings' Launches A Bold New Fantasy World

5:25pm September 02, 2015

by Jason Heller

Twelve immortal, iron-fisted god-kings rule over the desert metropolis of Sharakhai. No one can stand against them, until the gladiator Çeda begins hunting for the truth behind her mother's death.

Books
Arts

Franzen's Latest Novel: An Ambitious But Tarnished 'Purity'

3:20pm September 02, 2015

by Maureen Corrigan

Jonathan Franzen weaves together a cavalcade of stories and characters in his latest novel. Critic Maureen Corrigan says that despite its breadth, Purity fails to "emotionally move the reader."

Queue Listen Now

As different as their backgrounds were, and even their approaches to judging, when it came to women's rights, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (left) and Sandra Day O'Connor were allies.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg And Sandra Day O'Connor, 'Sisters In Law'

11:17am September 02, 2015

by Nina Totenberg

A new book explains that the women were not personal friends, but they were strong allies on the Supreme Court bench, especially in the legal fight for women's equality.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

'The Shepherd's Crown' Tells Terry Pratchett Fans How To Mourn Him

11:11am September 02, 2015

by Tasha Robinson

The fantasy author's last novel opens with the death of one of his most beloved characters and serves as an illustration of his thoughts on his own impending death and the inevitability of change.