Books

Books
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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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When Good Kids Go Feral, Bloody 'Brood' Hits Its Stride

1:02pm October 15, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

Gratuitous, gore-soaked and reveling in poor taste, Chase Novak's Brood is a true B-movie sequel — and just as fun. But despite its body count, the book still could have used a little more blood.

Australian author Richard Flanagan, 2014's Man Booker Prize winner, holds his book The Narrow Road to the Deep North at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Monday.

Australian Novelist Richard Flanagan Awarded Booker Prize

10:26am October 15, 2014

by Lauren Hodges

The head of the judge's committee says The Narrow Road to the Deep North, the story of POWs in World War II forced to build the Thailand Burma Railway, is a "magnificent novel of love and war."

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Book News: Big Names And A Few Surprises Among National Book Award Finalists

9:28am October 15, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The prominent literary prize narrowed its nominees to 20 writers — a mix of heavyweights and many new ones. And across the Atlantic, Richard Flanagan won Britain's biggest award, the Man Booker Prize.

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Arts

The Feathery Saga Of A 'Sucker For Unwanted Birds'

1:43pm October 14, 2014

by Heller McAlpin

Michelle Raffin's new The Birds of Pandemonium is an impassioned but occasionally jumbled memoir of her adventures in the noisy, smelly, exhausting, rewarding world of rare bird conservation.

Journalist Talks Confidential Sources, Getting Subpoenaed And His New Book

1:31pm October 14, 2014

James Risen could face prison for refusing to reveal his source for a story about a botched CIA operation intended to sabotage Iran's nuclear weapons program. His new book is Pay Any Price.

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Neil Patrick Harris has hosted the Tony Awards four times.

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What's It Like To Be Neil Patrick Harris? He Gives You Options

1:01pm October 14, 2014

The actor says he's been able to do a lot of different things in his life, including his role as Doogie Howser. So when he sat down to write a memoir, he made it a "Choose Your Own Adventure."

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A Hero's Journey Turns Dark In 'Clariel'

11:36am October 14, 2014

by Alaya Dawn Johnson

The long-awaited new novel in Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series goes back in time to follow a powerful young woman on a difficult path. Fans will get a chill when Clariel's final destiny is revealed.

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Arts

Book News: China Said To Blacklist Authors In Response To Hong Kong Unrest

7:30am October 14, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

News reports say books by several writers have been banned by Chinese authorities, in apparent censorship orders now circulating online.