Books

Close-up of a part of the face of young woman taking nap.

Books
Arts

'Sleep Donation': A Dark, Futuristic Lullaby For Insomniacs

4:42pm March 26, 2014

Karen Russell's new book imagines a mysterious insomnia epidemic so serious that many are dying from lack of sleep. But the cure — sleep donations from babies — is hard to swallow.

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A view of Jankara Market in Lagos, Nigeria.

Books
Arts

'Thief' Delivers An Unfiltered Depiction Of Life In Lagos

3:07pm March 25, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

Teju Cole's latest book describes a young New York doctor's visit back to his Nigerian hometown, where he encounters a Clockwork Orange world of misery and corruption.

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Books
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'What Everyone Needs To Know' About Today's Cyberthreats

5:46pm March 24, 2014

For an extra layer of online protection, author P.W. Singer advises making your security answers something counterintuitive, like pizza.

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"No, Thursday's out. How about never? Is never good for you?"

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Arts

New Yorker Cartoon Editor Explores What Makes Us Get It

4:43pm March 24, 2014

Humor is both a creative and a cognitive process, says Bob Mankoff, who has contributed cartoons to The New Yorker since 1977. His memoir is called How About Never — Is Never Good For You?

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Illustration: a teen slouches in a chair, reading a book.

Books
Arts

5 Young Adult Novels That You'll Never Outgrow

4:05pm March 21, 2014

by Maggie Stiefvater

It was a strange and wonderful year for young adult fiction, says critic Maggie Stiefvater. This list rounds up five magical books for young adults and grown-ups alike.

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Nancy Pearl Scours The Shelves For Books You Might Have Missed

4:06pm March 20, 2014

by NPR Staff

NPR's go-to librarian recommends five "under the radar" books she thinks you should read this summer. They range from a Jane Austenesque love story to a real life, intellectual detective tale.

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Books
Arts

What U.S. Learned From 'Heathen School' Wasn't Part Of The Lesson Plan

9:51am March 19, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

The 19th century Connecticut school sought to convert young men from Hawaii, China, India and the Native American nations and then send them home as Christian missionaries. It did not go as planned.

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Carl Hoffman is a contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler.

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Cannibals And Colonialism: Solving The Mystery Of Michael Rockefeller

5:14pm March 18, 2014

The son of one of America's wealthiest families disappeared off the island of New Guinea in 1961. Writer Carl Hoffman explains how he thinks Rockefeller died and why the truth was kept hidden.

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Illustration: A trophy sits on a pile of books.

Books
Arts

Best Of The Summer: 6 Books The Critics Adore

4:30pm March 18, 2014

by Lynn Neary

Have you ever found yourself in the library or a bookstore, about to go on vacation, with no idea what books to bring? NPR's Lynn Neary talks to three book critics about the best reads of the summer.

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Illustration: sculpture of a book on a pedestal.

Books
Arts

Lost And Found: 5 Forgotten Classics Worth Revisiting

4:25pm March 18, 2014

It's a tragedy, perhaps, but books do go out of print. Reviewer and editor Parul Sehgal recommends five that have come back to life.

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