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Revisiting ‘Giovanni's Room’
James Baldwin’s recent centennial birthday allowed us to discuss one of his most celebrated novels, Giovanni’s Room. Andrew Limbong and B. A. Parker are joined by NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour’s Glen …
Published on 1 month ago
Music biographies 'The Cars,' 'Only God Can Judge Me' balance greatness and tragedy
Two new biographies focus on legendary musical acts: the rock band The Cars and rapper Tupac Shakur. First, in the late 1970s, a Boston radio DJ played The Cars’ demo tape – and the band went on to i…
Published on 1 month ago
John Grisham brings a money-hungry lawyer to center stage in 'The Widow'
In The Widow, his 52nd novel and counting, author John Grisham returns to one of his cherished topics: lawyers. But not the type of lawyer one would hire if they’d like to keep their money safe. Simo…
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
In 'A Guardian and a Thief,' a mother’s love for her family threatens her own morals
Megha Majumdar’s new novel takes place in a near-future Kolkata struck by climate change. There, one family’s possibility of escape is jeopardized when their passports are stolen. A Guardian and a Th…
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Tochi Onyebuchi’s 'Racebook' is a 'personal history' of a less serious time online
Tochi Onyebuchi remembers when the internet was fun. The science fiction and fantasy author says he initially existed online as a “skinless, raceless entity” until he experienced a shift around 2012.…
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Philip Pullman’s new novel follows ‘The Golden Compass’ heroine into young adulthood
It’s been more than 30 years since Philip Pullman began the His Dark Materials series – and now, that story is coming to a close. Pullman’s latest book The Rose Field follows the series’ heroine Lyra…
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Revisiting ‘The Joy Luck Club’
The stories of mothers and daughters trying to connect with each other, across time, space and generations – this is the centerpiece of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. This week, Andrew Limboong and B. …
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Reese Witherspoon, Harlan Coben and Chris Kraus are out with new crime thrillers
Today’s episode features two new crime thrillers written by big names. First, Harlan Coben says he stopped in his tracks when Reese Witherspoon asked to collaborate on a novel. In today’s episode, th…
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
These previously unpublished Harper Lee stories were discovered in her NYC apartment
After Harper Lee’s death in 2016, previously unpublished writing was discovered in her New York City apartment. The Land of Sweet Forever includes eight new short stories from the Pulitzer Prize-winn…
Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago
In 'The Eleventh Hour,' Salman Rushdie writes about morality, revenge and ghosts
Salman Rushdie lived for decades under a death sentence and survived a knife attack three years ago. His latest book The Eleventh Hour is his first work of fiction since that near-death experience. T…
Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago