Books

Books
Arts

A Man Learns The Truth About His Adoption In 'Everybody's Son'

7:32am June 03, 2017

by Scott Simon

As a boy, Anton was adopted by a loving, prominent couple. He grows up to be a man of distinction. Then he learns that his adopted dad manipulated his biological mom into giving him up.

Books
Arts

'Grief Cottage': A Ghost Story About Loneliness, Loss And Affection

7:32am June 03, 2017

Gail Godwin has a new book out called Grief Cottage. NPR's Scott Simon asks her about it, about getting older and about ghosts.

Books
Arts

'White Fur' Is A Fable Of Love, Class, Money And Death

7:00am June 03, 2017

by Jason Sheehan

Jardine Libaire's novel — more a series of vignettes — follows two kids from very opposite sides of the tracks who fall hard in love in 1980s New York, and what happens when reality intrudes.

Beyond Respectability, by Brittney C. Cooper

Books
Arts

In 'Beyond Respectability,' A History of Black Women As Public Intellectuals

12:00pm June 01, 2017

by Genevieve Valentine

Brittney C. Cooper's history of black women thinkers traces decades of struggle against racism and misogyny. It's a crucial cultural study and a dense, serious read that rewards close attention.

David Sedaris lives in West Sussex, England, where he's known for picking up trash along the side of the road.

Books
Arts

David Sedaris On The Life-Altering And Mundane Pages Of His Old Diaries

1:13pm May 31, 2017

by Terry Gross

Sedaris' Theft by Finding is a collection of excerpts from those diaries. In it, he revisits major turning points, like how he met his longtime boyfriend and his decision to stop drinking.

Books
Arts

'The Dispatcher' Is A Short Stroll In A Strange Neighborhood

10:00am May 31, 2017

by Jason Sheehan

John Scalzi's new novel — originally an audio book — imagines the implications of a world where 999 out of 1,000 murder victims pop back into existence, naked, confused and safe in their own beds.

The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, by J.R.R. Tolkien

Books
Arts

'Beren And Lúthien' Reflects Tolkien's Real Life Love Story

7:00am May 31, 2017

by Liza Graham

J.R.R. Tolkien's son Christopher proves an able guide through Beren and Lúthien, his father's haunting tale of a mortal man who falls in love with the daughter of a disapproving Elven King.

Sen. Al Franken, shown during the Peabody Awards ceremony in New York City on May 20, talks about running for office in his new book.

Sen. Al Franken Embraces 'The Funny' Again In New Book

8:21pm May 30, 2017

by Scott Detrow

The Minnesota Democrat recounts his journey from Saturday Night Live to the Senate — and explains why comedy works in confirmation hearings: "Comedians kind of get to the point in an effective way."

Queue Listen Now

Cover detail of Giant Of The Senate, by Al Franken

Sen. Al Franken On Comedy, Trump And The 'Curdling' Of Washington

2:20pm May 30, 2017

by Terry Gross

As a former SNL cast member, Franken tends to see humor in politics. Despite this, he says his gut reaction to the Trump administration isn't levity: "This guy is outside the norm in many ways."

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

An Illustrated Guide To Master The Elements Of Cooking — Without Recipes

11:17am May 30, 2017

by Maria Godoy

In her new cookbook, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, Samin Nosrat says the key to good food is learning to balance those elements when cooking — and to trust your instincts.

Queue Listen Now