Books

'A State Of Freedom,' by Neel Mukherjee.

Books
Arts

In 'A State Of Freedom,' Be Careful What You Wish For

7:00am January 04, 2018

by Michael Schaub

The characters Neel Mukherjee's new novel all want better lives, and — to say the least — they're seldom rewarded. A State of Freedom is a dark, brutal read, but also surprisingly beautiful.

Books

Fred Bass, Owner Of Landmark NYC Bookstore, Dies At 89

4:59am January 04, 2018

by Lynn Neary

Fred Bass took over The Strand bookstore in New York City from his father and spent most of his long life working in the store which he built into a literary landmark. He died Wednesday at age 89.

Neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli says that while a certain amount of memory loss is a natural part of aging, what Alzheimer's patients experience is different.

Neuroscientist Predicts 'Much Better Treatment' For Alzheimer's Is 10 Years Away

7:21pm January 02, 2018

by Terry Gross

"Just the last few years alone have seen some serious breakthroughs in Alzheimer's research," Joseph Jebelli says. His new book is The Pursuit of Memory.

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Mystery writer Sue Grafton (pictured here in 2002) died Dec. 28, 2017. Her most recent novel was Y is for Yesterday.

Books
Arts

A Is For Appreciation: How Sue Grafton Helped Transform The Mystery Genre

2:20pm January 02, 2018

by Maureen Corrigan

Grafton revolutionized what had become fossilized formula fiction. She tossed out the genre's sexist, racist and nativist clichés and helped make the detective novel matter again.

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Books
Arts

In 'Green,' A Pre-Teen Wisens Up To His Privilege

8:12am December 31, 2017

by Lauren Frayer

Author Sam Graham-Felsen was the chief blogger for the Obama campaign in 2008. His debut novel is a coming-of-age story that grapples with race in America.

Books

Books To Look Forward To In 2018

8:02am December 30, 2017

by Barrie Hardymon

Weekend Edition recommends new titles coming out in 2018 — about women and by women. They provide escape from reality into the worlds of myth and science fiction.

the cover of Hanif Kureishi's The Nothing

Books
Arts

In 'The Nothing,' A Dirty Old Man Lusts For Life

8:02am December 30, 2017

by Linda Wertheimer

The new novel from British author Hanif Kureishi finds its octogenarian protagonist, who suspects his wife may be cheating on him, preoccupied with sex and aging.

Books
Arts

Does The Magic Last? Revisiting A Fantasy Classic As An Adult

7:00am December 30, 2017

by Jason Heller

David Eddings' beloved Belgariad (and several sequels), co-written with his wife Leigh, follows farm boy Garion and his magical destiny. It wrapped up 20 years ago; are its powers still intact?

Author Sue Grafton, author of 25 mysteries featuring detective Kinsey Millhone, died Thursday at age 77. Grafton is seen here with a copy of her book R is for Ricochet in 2005.

Books
Arts

Sue Grafton, Best-Selling Author Of Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mysteries, Dies At 77

4:36pm December 29, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Grafton wrote 25 page turners following the spunky female detective. "The alphabet now ends at Y," her daughter wrote on Facebook.

A graphic representing some of Fresh Air's most popular stories of 2017.

The 10 Most Popular 'Fresh Air' Interviews Of 2017

1:41pm December 29, 2017

In 2017, Fresh Air marked 30 years as a nationally syndicated, daily radio program by doing what it does best: more in-depth interviews.