Arts & Life

Books
Arts

Memories Of A Long Life Return In 'Alive, Alive Oh!'

7:00am January 10, 2016

by Annalisa Quinn

British writer Diana Athill is 98 — by her own account, a very old woman. In this slim but lovely volume, she recounts the moments that have lingered: heartbreak, yes, but also hills of bluebells.

This painting of Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart shows him at the keyboard at the age of 9.

Books
Arts

'Geography Of Genius' Explores How Surroundings Influence Ideas

5:18am January 10, 2016

by NPR Staff

Author Eric Weiner identifies Renaissance Florence, Classical Athens and Silicon Valley as "genius clusters." And he explains how the right amount of friction and competition can help geniuses thrive.

A survey from the Authors Guild reveals a 30 percent decline in author income since 2009.

Books
Arts

As Writers' Wages Wane In Digital Chapter, Authors Pen Demands

9:09am January 09, 2016

by Lynn Neary

Numbers show more authors are finding it hard to make a living income. Fresh off of fighting the Google Books case, the Authors Guild is now taking on author contracts in an open letter to publishers.

Queue Listen Now

A Collector's Envy: Bhutan's Playable Postage Stamps

8:13am January 09, 2016

In 1972, the country tried some novel fundraising: selling postage stamps embossed with a playable recording. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with journalist Chris May who wrote about the oddity.

75 Years Of 'Pal Joey'

8:13am January 09, 2016

Penguin Classics has published a 75th Anniversary presentation of the John O'Hara novel, and the libretto and lyrics of the musical. Scott talks to Thomas Mallon, who wrote the book's forward.

'Caucus: The Musical' Jabs At Political Process

8:13am January 09, 2016

by Don Gonyea

With the real Iowa caucuses just weeks away, lines are being learned, moves choreographed, audiences are being wooed. It's all part of what's become an every four years-tradition in Iowa, featuring local residents.

Books
Arts

'Steal The Sky' Puts A Swashbuckling Spin On Familiar Fantasy

6:05am January 09, 2016

by Jason Heller

Megan O'Keefe kicks off a new fantasy series with Steal the Sky, an adventure set in an arid land where rare-element powered airships sail above mining towns packed with charming crooks and con men.

Arts

'Star Wars' Just Keeps Breaking Records

4:31pm January 08, 2016

by NPR Staff

NPR's Audie Cornish talks to director J.J. Abrams about making the movie; he says he feels an 'enormous relief that it's out in the world.' Warning: This will not be a spoiler-free conversation!

A model wears Courrèges' creations, including a version of his famous eyewear.

Arts

Designer André Courrèges, Master Of Miniskirts And Go-Go Boots, Dies

4:22pm January 08, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Courrèges opened his fashion house in 1961 and helped transform women's pants from casual clothing to a haute couture item, while defining the wildly popular space-age aesthetic of the era.

Arts

Designer André Courrèges, Master Of Miniskirts And Go-Go Boots, Dies

4:09pm January 08, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Courrèges opened his fashion house in 1961 and helped transform women's pants from casual clothing to a haute couture item, while defining the wildly popular space-age aesthetic of the era.