Books

Books
Arts

'Story Of My Teeth' Covers Art, Identity And Dental Adventures

5:37pm September 15, 2015

by Heller McAlpin

Critic Heller McAlpin calls Valeria Luiselli's novel a "philosophical funhouse" that melds the story of a charming auctioneer with meditations on the value of objects and the power of story.

Books

Shortlist Revealed For 2015 Man Booker Prize

4:55pm September 15, 2015

by Lynn Neary

One-third of the short-listed nominees are American, which could make some British authors unhappy.

Scott Shane reports on the U.S. intelligence community for The New York Times.

Drone Strike That Killed Awlaki 'Did Not Silence Him,' Journalist Says

8:38pm September 14, 2015

In Operation Troy, author Scott Shane details the life, death and influence of Anwar al-Awlaki. "His status as a martyr has given his message even greater authority," Shane says of the propagandist.

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Law Beyond Our Borders: Justice Breyer Is On A Mission

7:10pm September 14, 2015

by Nina Totenberg

In his new book, Stephen Breyer details cases involving the interdependence of law in the U.S. and other countries. No branch of government can avoid dealing with global issues any more, he said.

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Arts

'Fake Fruit Factory' Portrays Warped, Whimsical Small-Town America

4:06pm September 14, 2015

by Jason Heller

The city at the center of Patrick Wensink's novel may be one of "America's Boringest," but critic Jason Heller says it makes a great setting for this "overstuffed buffet of a book."

Books
Arts

In 'Gamelife,' A Portrait Of The Writer As A Young Role-Player

11:21am September 14, 2015

by NPR Staff

Michael W. Clune spent much of his childhood alone — just him and his 8-bit computer. But, as he writes in his new memoir, playing text adventures and role-playing games helped prepare him for life.

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Arts

A Marriage, Warts And All, Is At The Heart Of 'Fates And Furies'

11:32am September 13, 2015

In Lauren Groff's new book, Fates and Furies, a marriage unfolds over many decades, from the husband's perspective, then the wife's. Groff talks about a marriage under the microscope.

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Arts

A Philosophical Posse Hunts For The Self In Nathaniel Mackey's Poems

11:27am September 13, 2015

Nathaniel Mackey's book Blue Fasa has been described as metaphysical and mythological. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with poet Douglas Kearney about the lure of Mackey's words.

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In This Collection Of Animal Stories, The Only Winner Is The Parrot

7:03am September 13, 2015

by Michael Schaub

Each of the ten narrators in Ceridwen Dovey's new book is an animal affected by human warfare. Critic Michael Schaub says the book lacks the imagination it would need to pull off its high concept.

Books
Arts

In New Memoir, Mindy Kaling Has More To Say On Life, Love And Showbiz

8:09pm September 12, 2015

by NPR Staff

Five years after her popular debut book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, the actress, producer and writer is back with more essays — and a reminder that she's not the same Mindy she plays on TV.

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