How much should a mother divulge to her daughters? Ann Patchett weighs it up
In the new novel Tom Lake, a mother bonds with her daughters who are home for the pandemic. But how much of her past is she expected to share?
Family
A writer pieces together the story of a family secret: An aunt who was sent away
In an Atlantic article, "The Ones We Sent Away," Jennifer Senior tells the story of her aunt, who was institutionalized at age 21 months because of her intellectual and developmental disability.
Author Ann Patchett on writing about family secrets in her novel 'Tom Lake'
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with author Ann Patchett on her latest novel Tom Lake, which tackles family, maternal love and the secrets a mother may choose not to share with her children.
What we know — and don't know — about the FDA-approved postpartum depression pill
Postpartum depression affects as many as 1 in 7 women in the U.S., though there are just two treatments approved for it. Experts say the newest could be a game-changer — depending on its price tag.
What the U.S. could learn from Japan about making healthy living easier
On a trip back to her parents' native country, a writer rediscovers what makes it different. The urban design, and a culture that values longevity, make good health come al lot more naturally.
A landmark study opens a new possible way for Black Americans to trace their ancestry
Researchers have compared the DNA of 27 Black people who lived at the Catoctin furnace between 1774 and 1850, finding a link between these enslaved Americans and nearly 42,000 living relatives.
How a Mexican mother navigated raising mixed-race children in the U.S.
Luz Kenyon grew up in Mexico City, and in the mid 1980s she took a trip to New York City and fell in love with a Jamaican traffic agent. She talks to her daughter about being a mixed-race family.
Testing your genes for cancer risk is way cheaper now — and it could save your life
Millions of people in the U.S. have a genetic variant that raises their risk of cancer. Genetic testing can help people find cancer earlier and seek treatment. But many patients aren't offered it.
19 years after he first proposed, Jean Todt weds Michelle Yeoh
Former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt might be used to life at high speed, but that didn't happen with his marriage. He wed Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh nearly two decades after first proposing.
Withering heat is more common, but getting AC is still a struggle in public housing
Many people in public housing are especially vulnerable to extreme heat, and there's no federal requirement for air conditioning. That leaves some tenants struggling to pay for it on their own.