Arts

Books
Arts

Activist, Professor, Historian — Now A Poetry Pulitzer Prize Winner

9:36am April 23, 2016

Peter Balakian is the author of "Ozone Journal," winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Scott Simon talks with Balakian about how the collection has changed since he began writing decades ago.

George Plimpton Reissues Books That Took Us Inside The Game

9:36am April 23, 2016

Seven of the the late George Plimpton's sports books are being re-released. NPR's Scott Simon talks with sportscaster Bob Costas about the collection.

A Passover Seder table. During Passover, Jews avoid leavened bread. But whether legumes, corn and rice are OK has long been a point of contention among Jews of European and Middle Eastern ancestry. Now, rabbis have weighed in.

Beans And Rice For Passover? A Divisive Question Gets The Rabbis' OK

9:19am April 23, 2016

by Maria Godoy

For 800 years, Jews of European and Middle Eastern and Spanish ancestry have been split on the question of whether legumes, corn and rice are kosher for Passover. Rabbis have finally weighed in.

Books
Arts

'Maestra' Is Pure Pulp Madness

7:00am April 23, 2016

by Bethanne Patrick

L.S. Hilton's new book, the first in a trilogy, follows the aptly-named Judith Rashleigh on a wild ride of sex parties, private yachts, and behavior just as shallow and selfish as any male character.

An illustration depicts a scene from Shakespeare's Coriolanus, a play that opens with citizens armed with "staves, clubs, and other weapons" in protest against the city fathers they accuse of hoarding grain. In Shakespeare's day, food shortages tore throu

In Shakespeare's Day, Hunger Tore Through England. His Plays Tell The Tale

7:00am April 23, 2016

by Anne Bramley

Many food riots broke out during Shakespeare's era. Endless rain wiped out crops, and speculators profited (including the bard). The chaos and anxiety around food show up in some of his famous works.

Joseph Mallord William Turner's "Self portrait, age 24," will grace the UK's £20 note.

Artist J.M.W. Turner To Be Featured On U.K. £20, Ousting Economist Adam Smith

6:47pm April 22, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Following a national nomination process for a visual artist to honor, the U.K. has announced the new face of the £20 bill. He's known for landscapes, seascapes and innovative depiction of light.

Will Kit Harington's Jon Snow — seen here after a seemingly fatal attack at the end of season five — survive? No one knows.

Arts

We Know Nothing, (About) Jon Snow As 'Game Of Thrones' Returns

6:34pm April 22, 2016

by Eric Deggans

HBO's hit kicks off its sixth season this weekend, but the show has now outpaced the original books, and the channel isn't making advance episodes available. So, is Jon Snow alive? We have no idea!

Prince performs at the Ritz Club during his "Purple Rain" tour on September 13, 1985.

Everybody Has A Prince Story (Or Should). Here Are Ours

5:25pm April 22, 2016

by Code Switch team

These stories are good for sharing any day, but they must be shared today, in honor of The Purple One's passing.

Marnie (Susan Sarandon) and Lori (Rose Byrne) sharing a mother-daughter Valentine's Day dinner.

Arts

'The Meddler' Pokes Fun Without Mocking The Mom

4:56pm April 22, 2016

by Bob Mondello

The Meddler is a new comedy starring Susan Sarandon about mom who's just a bit much — just in time for Mother's Day.

Aziz Abu Sarah describes how he came to lead tours in which Jews, Muslims and Christians cross contested borders to spend time in each other's cultures.

Arts

How Can Tourism Promote Peace In The Middle East?

4:48pm April 22, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Social entrepreneur and educator Aziz Abu Sarah describes how he came to lead tours in which Jews, Muslims and Christians cross contested borders to spend time in each others cultures.

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