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Arts

Astronaut Chris Hadfield Brings Lessons From Space Down To Earth

1:48pm October 17, 2014

The former International Space Station commander achieved Internet stardom with his in-space rendition of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." His new book is An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth.

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'Accidental Highwayman' Stands And Delivers

12:54pm October 17, 2014

by Amal El-Mohtar

Ben Tripp's young adult debut is a charming romp through a thoroughly theatrical 18th-century England populated by swashbuckling highwaymen, fairies and circus performers.

Mendelsund says his cover for Simone de Beauvoir's The Woman Destroyed "is as close as I've ever come to a jolie laide cover — and I love it for that reason."

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The Jacket Designer's Challenge: To Capture A Book By Its Cover

12:32pm October 17, 2014

Peter Mendelsund has designed hundreds of book covers, including two new ones of his own: Cover and What We See When We Read. He talks about his process and why "dead authors get the best" covers.

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John Grisham, seen here in 2009, said Thursday in a statement:

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Book News: John Grisham Backs Down From Comments On Child Pornography

8:24am October 17, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

After meeting backlash, the author apologized for lamenting the long prison sentences handed to some users of child pornography. Also: Stirrings are afoot in the worlds of Harry Potter and Twin Peaks.

Books

Alabama Attorney General's 1976 Letter Told KKK Off In 3 Short Words

6:35pm October 16, 2014

As part of our series Letters of Note, former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley tells Audie Cornish how he once replied to an angry letter from the Ku Klux Klan.

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'How To Cook Everything Fast'? Bittman Says Skip The Prep

9:59am October 16, 2014

Rachel Martin talks to food writer Mark Bittman about his new cookbook, "How to Cook Everything Fast," which thumbs its nose at the French tradition of having ingredients prepped before you cook.

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Elmore Leonard was famously picky with his words — but not with his papers. He left behind more than 150 boxes, or about 2,400 linear feet, of documents.

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Book News: The 'Dickens Of Detroit' Leaves His Collection To South Carolina

7:44am October 16, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

Before his death, crime novelist Elmore Leonard chose to host his archives at the University of South Carolina. Now, the school is unveiling the first of these items. Also: McSweeney's goes nonprofit.

Books

National Book Award Finalists To Be Announced

2:18pm October 15, 2014

Finalists for the National Book Awards will be announced on Wednesday's Morning Edition. You've already heard from some of the contenders who have previously been on NPR.

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'The Assassination Of Margaret Thatcher' And Other Stories From Hilary Mantel

1:57pm October 15, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

Heads tend to roll, figuratively and otherwise, in Mantel's writing. Critic Maureen Corrigan says this new short story collection — about grotesque characters in the modern world — is breathtaking.

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Costumes were plentiful at the New York Comic-Con at Jacob Javitz Center.

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Pop Culture Happy Hour, Small Batch: A Report From New York Comic-Con

1:55pm October 15, 2014

by Linda Holmes

Pop Culture Happy Hour pal Petra Mayer just got back from New York Comic-Con, so we got her to update us briefly on Gillian Anderson, fandom and very big crowds.

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