The documentary "Smooth World" explores the world of smooth jazz: its waning popularity, the remaining stars, its aging but passionate fanbase, and those trying to move the genre forward.

Behind the Desk, Draco Rosa creates shimmering, electric guitar-driven ruminations on life and love.

In the book, Kiran Desai explores themes of alienation, class and cultural hierarchy, and the lives we inherit versus those we make for ourselves.

Birds are the only dinosaurs that survived the devastating asteroid impact 66 million years ago.

"I just want to make people really feel things about the world they live in," Grian Chatten says of Dopamine Chamber, which he describes as the band's attempt to map the tensions of our moment.

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Heather Gay, author and "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" cast member, about her new body horror novel, "Eternal Glow."

Saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins talks about the impact that winning a 2026 MacArthur Fellowship will have on his art.

Lois Lowry returns to a dystopian future for the first time in a decade with: "Building 903." The new book depicts a world without art, music, or books, serving as a direct response to, "The Giver."

Author John Berendt has updated his Esquire series. published in book from, "Class Act: A Gentleman's Guide to Dressing Well." He gives NPR's Scott Simon some pointers.

In 1984, the president of American University of Beirut was shot to death on campus. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Kim Ghattas about her new book about the unsolved case, "The Best Kind of American."