Book News: Happy 100th Birthday, Dylan Thomas
Born on Oct. 27, 1914, the Welsh poet died at 39. But his writing lives on, in his readers' memory and in the performances marking his birth today. Also: a forecast of books to come.
Books
After The Blackwater Convictions, A Book On Iraq's Nightmarish Reality
Four former Blackwater guards were found guilty last week in connection with a fatal shooting in 2007. Author Brian Castner recommends a book on the toll violence has taken on Iraq.
Watch This: Crime Writer James Ellroy Recommends — What Else? — Noir Films
The author of L.A. Confidential discusses his favorite flicks, including a 1963 Akira Kurosawa film he says may be the greatest crime movie he's ever seen.
![Former Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton reads from the 2011 best-seller Go the [bleep] to Sleep.](http://wfdd-live.s3.amazonaws.com/images/story/LeVar-Burton-Reads-Go-The--Expletive-To-Sleep-359122061-1446182730.jpg)
LeVar Burton Reads 'Go The [Expletive] To Sleep'
To any over-exhausted parents who suspect they're hallucinating, we assure you: Former Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton gave a reading of the 2011 best-seller this weekend.
The Serious History Of Hocus Pocus In 'Penguin Book Of Witches'
In Colonial America, a witch was not a Halloween costume, but a criminal. NPR's Rachel Martin revisits this moment in history with Katherine Howe, editor of the new Penguin Book of Witches.
The Freaky, Fabulous, Feminist 'Secret History' Of Wonder Woman
Jill Lepore's new book about Wonder Woman reveals the unconventional life of her creator, William Moulton Marston, who invented the lie detector, championed feminism, and lived with two women at once.
Cartoonist Looks Back On Career Built On Unnerving Visions
As a young man, Jim Woodring was looking for a sign — and he found it in a huge, green hallucinated amphibian. His new book of old drawings, Jim, includes many works inspired by such "apparitions."
The Life Of De Niro, From 'Mean Streets' To 'Meet The Parents'
Shawn Levy's brick-sized new biography of screen legend Robert De Niro was produced without cooperation from the actor — but Levy says that just forced him to do better research.
Novelist Nuruddin Farah: Facing A Blank Page Is 'Bravest Thing' A Writer Does
Farah's latest is called Hiding in Plain Sight. It's the story of Bella, a Somali photographer living in Rome who gets drawn into the lives of her niece and nephew after her half-brother is killed.
'Beautiful You' Makes Sex And Death Boring
Chuck Palahniuk aims for piquant social satire in his new novel, but reviewer (and longtime fan) Jason Sheehan finds his fandom severely dented by lazy characterizations and lack of actual satire.