Books

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In 'Harmony,' Women Are Mysteries, Men Are Open Books

7:00am August 13, 2016

by Tasha Robinson

Carolyn Parkhurst's new novel is told entirely from female perspectives; a mother and two troubled daughters. But the book really revolves around what's going on in the head of one man.

L Is For Learning: A New Book On Proven Approaches And How Teachers Can Use Them

6:16pm August 12, 2016

by Eric Westervelt

We talk with the author of The ABCs of How We Learn. It's based on a popular Stanford course.

Books
Arts

An Alabama Booksmith Picks 3 Books To Read This Summer

4:35pm August 12, 2016

Jake Reiss, owner of Alabama Booksmith in Homewood, Ala., recommends James McBride's Kill 'Em and Leave, Don Keith's Mattie C.'s Boy and Joshua Hammer's The Bad-Ass Librarians Of Timbuktu.

Books
Arts

From Gladiator Duels To Caesar's Last Words: The Myths Of Ancient Rome

1:32pm August 12, 2016

Historian Mary Beard says many of our popular notions about the empire are based on culture rather than fact. Her new book is called SPQR. Originally broadcast Nov. 30, 2015.

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Beats Bubble Up In The Latest Volume Of 'Hip Hop Family Tree'

7:00am August 11, 2016

by Etelka Lehoczky

Ed Piskor is back with another volume of his popular Hip Hop Family Tree series, this time chronicling the acts — from the Beastie Boys to one-hit wonders — that rose to the top in 1984 and 1985.

Jacqueline Woodson is also the author of Brown Girl Dreaming, Miracle's Boys, Show Way and Feathers.

Books
Arts

Jacqueline Woodson's New Novel For Adults Has Its Roots In Adolescence

4:28pm August 10, 2016

by Lynn Neary

Best known for her kids' and young adult books, Woodson has written her first adult novel in 20 years. Another Brooklyn is a dreamlike narrative about friendship, memory and dealing with death.

Books
Arts

'Playing Dead' Teaches You How To Disappear

3:07pm August 10, 2016

by Genevieve Valentine

Elizabeth Greenwood thought about faking her own death to get out of massive student debt — but decided instead to write a book about all the ways people try (and usually fail) to disappear.

Books
Arts

3 Steps To Faking Your Own Death From The Author Of 'Playing Dead'

5:13pm August 09, 2016

by NPR Staff

Elizabeth Greenwood has spent a lot of time researching the death fraud industry. She says the hardest step for many aspiring fraudsters would be cutting all ties with friends and family.

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In the world of books and literature, "diversity" has recently become hotly debated, along with other cultural and media spheres. Though a few writers of color seem to be getting more shine, the demographics of those working behind the scenes in publishin

Diversity In Book Publishing Isn't Just About Writers — Marketing Matters, Too

3:02pm August 09, 2016

by Jean Ho

For writers of color, the lack of diversity in book publicity departments can feel like a death knell.

Books
Arts

Jacqueline Woodson's 'Brooklyn' Is Full Of Dreams And Danger

1:28pm August 09, 2016

The National Book Award winner's new novel is based in part on her memories of growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s. Woodson describes the teen years as an "amazing and urgent moment" in life.

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