Books

Greek flags fly beside those of the European Union in Athens. Many people chalk the phrase up to Shakespeare, but its origins likely date back much earlier than that -- to medieval monks eager for a cop-out.

Is It All Greek To You? Thank Medieval Monks, And The Bard, For The Phrase

10:11pm July 05, 2015

by NPR Staff

Ben Zimmer, language columnist at The Wall Street Journal, explains the origin of the phrase "it's all Greek to me" — and shares a few variants from other languages.

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In 'Playing Scared' Pianist Grows Less Frightened Of Stage Fright

12:08pm July 05, 2015

by NPR Staff

Performance anxiety kept journalist Sara Solovitch away from the piano for several decades. Then one day she decided to search for the key to putting her back in tune with her performance side.

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If Robots 'Speak,' Will We Listen? Novel Imagines A Future Changed By AI

6:42pm July 04, 2015

by NPR Staff

As artificial intelligence alters human connection, Louisa Hall's characters wrestle with whether machines can truly feel. Some "feel they have to stand up for a robot's right to exist," Hall says.

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Decades Of Politics And Partnership In Jimmy Carter's 'Full Life'

11:59am July 04, 2015

by NPR Staff

Former president Jimmy Carter was one of the youngest ex-presidents ever when he left office in 1981. His new memoir, A Full Life, looks back at his years of public service, in and out of office.

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'Shadowshaper' Paints A Vibrant Picture

10:55am July 04, 2015

by Amal El-Mohtar

Daniel José Older's new young adult novel follows a Brooklyn teenager who discovers her family has a dangerous magical heritage. Reviewer Amal El-Mohtar says it's full of music, flavor and color.

A recent version of Indian Slapjacks, a recipe featured in American Cookery, the first cookbook of American food.

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Arts

New Nation, New Cuisine: The First Cookbook To Tackle 'American Food'

12:45pm July 03, 2015

by Anne Bramley

The first American cookbook, published in 1796, promised local food and a kind of socioculinary equality. But generations later, foodies are still puzzling over how to define "American food."

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Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Judy Blume's New Book And Lifetime's 'UnREAL'

11:22pm July 02, 2015

by Linda Holmes

On this week's show, a beloved author of books for kids writes another one for adults, and Lifetime sets a drama behind the scenes of a reality dating show.

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Book Review: 'The Uses Of The Body,' Deborah Landau

6:35pm July 02, 2015

Poet Tess Taylor reviews The Uses of the Body by Deborah Landau.

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Get A 'Grip' On This Goofy Noir Sci-Fi Tale

2:36pm July 02, 2015

by Etelka Lehoczky

This reissue of Gilbert Hernandez's series starts out noir — a young man with amnesia and a mysterious lipstick trace — but quickly gets weird. Critic Etelka Lehoczky says it's full of "goofy joy."

On World Cafe, A Look At The Grateful Dead's Legacy

3:19pm July 01, 2015

As the Dead's Fare Thee Well Tour comes to a close, World Cafe talks with David Browne, the author of a new book on the legendary band.