Not My Job: Soul Singer Mavis Staples Gets Quizzed On The Shaggs
The soul singer was once a member of her family band, The Staple Singers. So we'll ask her three questions about another (somewhat odder) family musical group.
Arts & Life
'Glass House' Chronicles The Sharp Decline Of An All-American Factory Town
Once a bustling town, Lancaster, Ohio, is now beset by unemployment, low wages and drug abuse. Brian Alexander chronicles the rise and fall of his hometown in his new book, Glass House.
In 'Universal Harvester,' Mountain Goats Lyricist Reaps A Creepy Crop
John Darnielle used some tricks of the horror trade to write his latest novel, which is set in 1990s Iowa and involves some cornfields. What's scary about cornfields? Mostly, the unknown.
Culture Clash, Survival And Hope In 'Pachinko'
Min Jin Lee's sprawling family epic spans decades and two clashing cultures — Korea and Japan. It's honest, unadorned writing that acknowledges horror but ultimately carries a message of hope.
If America's No.1, Who's No. 2? European Nations Compete For The, Uh, Honor
"We totally understand it's going to be America First," a Dutch show said two weeks ago. "But can we just say The Netherlands Second?" Now they've got competition, as other countries join the fray.
1 Character, 4 Different Lives In Paul Auster's '4 3 2 1'
One character, four different lives. That's the idea behind Paul Auster's new novel, 4 3 2 1. From the day Archie Ferguson is born in 1947, he follows four separate fictional paths. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Auster about the book.
Remembering Bharati Mukherjee, An Indian-Born American Writer
Mukherjee, who died Saturday in Manhattan, grew up in India, Switzerland and England. Her work explores the thoughts and experiences of immigrants from many countries. Originally broadcast in 2002.
Super Bowl Thoughts, From 'Overdog' Tom Brady To Sparkly Lady Gaga
Super Bowl LI, won by the New England Patriots with a huge fourth-quarter push, also featured a high-flying halftime show from Lady Gaga, who mixed traditional Americana with doing her own thing.
'Pachinko' Is A Family Saga Of Exile, Discrimination ... And Japanese Pinball
The multibillion-dollar pinball industry is dominated by Korean Japanese, an immigrant community that has been ill-treated for generations. Author Min Jin Lee explores that history in a new novel.
At New York Fashion Week, Ungendered Clothes Make Appearance On Runway
Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan discusses ungendered fashion and other trends she's seeing at New York Fashion Week.