Book Review: 'The News,' By Tess Taylor
Critic Tess Taylor reviews journalist Jeffrey Brown's poetry collection, The News.
Books
New Take On Old Tale: Novelist Retells King David's Story
Geraldine Brooks is a Pulitzer Prize winning historical novelist. Her latest book "The Secret Chord," tells the story of King David. NPR's Rachel Martin spoke to her about her conception of the flawed king.
Grace Jones: 'I'm A Bit Split Personality'
The gender-bending musician and supermodel discusses how her past and her personality inform her new book, I'll Never Write My Memoirs.
After 10 Years Of Bella And Edward, 'Twilight Reimagined' Brings A Twist
NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with author Stephenie Meyer about the appeal of her Twilight books and her new novel, which reassigns the genders of the original characters.
Persons Real And Fictional Puzzle Over Ronald Reagan In 'Finale'
NPR's Linda Wertheimer interviews Thomas Mallon about his new work of historical fiction. No crowns or bodices here: The book is called Finale: A Novel of the Reagan Years.
'Thirteen Ways' Lifts Darkness Through Storytelling
Colum McCann's latest book, Thirteen Ways of Looking, takes on parenthood, loss and just how arbitrary life can be. McCann says talking about traumatic experiences can be "a fantastic catharsis."
Elvis Costello: 'There Is No Absolute Right And Wrong About Music'
Throughout his memoir, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, Costello grapples with parallels to his father's life. "In the end, music was playing in the room when my father left this earth," he says.
National Book Awards Winnow Field Of Finalists
The shortlist for the awards went public Wednesday, halving the number of nominees to 20 finalists. David Greene talks to NPR editor Barrie Hardymon and contributor Glen Weldon about their favorites.
Finalists Unveiled For This Year's National Book Awards
Lauren Groff, Terrance Hayes, Sally Mann and Ta-Nehisi Coates are among the 20 writers still in the running for the prestigious literary prize. Soon, that number will be whittled to just four winners.
'The Rest Of Us' Is Apocalypse-Adjacent
Patrick Ness' wry new young adult novel wonders what happens to the normal kids who have to make their lives in the margins of the explosive adventures depicted in mainstream young adult fantasy.