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A Dizzying, Fictional 'History' Draws On Bob Marley's Life

10:23am November 06, 2014

by Rosecrans Baldwin

Marlon James' A Brief History Of Seven Killings is a novel based on a real-life assassination attempt on Bob Marley. Its hefty cast and sprawling plot make for a demanding yet rewarding read.

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Daniel Handler, the man "often mistaken" for Lemony Snicket, will nevertheless have a hand in the development of the show.

Books
Arts

Book News: Netflix To Film Series From Lemony Snicket's 'Unfortunate Events'

10:07am November 06, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The streaming service reportedly plans to adapt A Series of Unfortunate Events into a TV show. In news of another stream, the Globe Theatre has put dozens of its Shakespeare productions online.

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Arts

Frankly, Bascombe's Return Has Some Problems

10:03am November 06, 2014

by Michael Schaub

Richard Ford's signature character returns in Let Me Be Frank With You; reviewer Michael Schaub praises Ford's writing, but says despite moments of beauty and insight, some of it feels phoned in.

Books
Arts

How Thousands Of Nazis Were 'Rewarded' With Life In The U.S.

7:27pm November 05, 2014

After World War II, thousands of Nazis became informants in the Cold War against the Soviet Union — and then got entry into the U.S. Eric Lichtblau's new book, The Nazi Next Door, tells the story.

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Daniela Chavarriaga holds her daughter Emma as Dr. Jose Rosa-Olivares administers a measles vaccination at Miami Children's Hospital.

Vaccine Controversies Are As Social As They Are Medical

11:02am November 05, 2014

by NPR Staff

In writing her new book On Immunity, Eula Biss found that questions about vaccination touch on attitudes about environmentalism, citizenship and trust in the government.

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It was Helen Macdonald's relationship with a goshawk like this one that helped her to grapple with the loss of her father.

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Arts

Book News: Falconer's Memoir Pulls Down Britain's Top Nonfiction Honor

10:27am November 05, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The win for Helen Macdonald's H Is for Hawk marks the first time that the Samuel Johnson Prize has gone to a memoir. Meanwhile, Lena Dunham answers sexual abuse allegations with a statement in Time.

Books
Arts

'Ugly Girls' Is, Well ... Not A Pretty Read

7:03am November 05, 2014

by Annalisa Quinn

Lindsay Hunter's novel follows best friends Perry and Baby Girl as they shoplift, ditch school and steal cars. But critic Annalisa Quinn says Ugly Girls has more shock value than substance.

Carlos Santana visits NPR for an interview about his new memoir The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light.

Carlos Santana: 'I Am A Reflection Of Your Light'

6:10am November 05, 2014

by NPR Staff

Musician Carlos Santana shares his journey from a difficult childhood in Mexico to international stardom in the new memoir, The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light.

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Lots of bottles of various alcoholic drinks.

Seeking Proof For Why We Feel Terrible After Too Many Drinks

3:02pm November 04, 2014

Author Adam Rogers says there are lots of myths about what causes hangovers. His new book, Proof: The Science of Booze, explores these and other scientific mysteries of alcohol's effect on the body.

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Brian Moynahan's other books include Jungle Soldier and The Russian Century.

Amid Hunger And Cold, An Unforgettable Symphony Premiere

12:30pm November 04, 2014

by NPR Staff

A year into the siege of Leningrad, a haggard group of musicians defiantly — and improbably — performed Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7, which was dedicated to the suffering city.

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