Book Reviews

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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.

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'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.

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Catch This 'Midnight Taxi' To A Magical Brooklyn

7:00am January 07, 2016

by Amal El-Mohtar

The second volume in Daniel José Older's Bone Street Rumba series follows half-dead, all-haunted ghost slayer Carlos Delacruz as he investigates a series of grisly events in Brooklyn's Von King Park.

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'This Census-Taker' Is A Quiet Book With A Murderous Heart

5:14pm January 06, 2016

by Jason Sheehan

China Mieville's new novella feels like a fairy tale. It's set in an isolated hill village, where a young boy witnesses a terrible crime and meets a mysterious stranger who may (or may not) help him.

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Glittering 'Past' Channels Chekhov

1:43pm January 05, 2016

by Heller McAlpin

Tessa Hadley's new novel follows four siblings as they gather at a dilapidated family cottage for a bittersweet summer together. Critic Heller McAlpin praises Hadley's "wry compassion."

Jonathan Banks (left) and Bob Odenkirk star in the AMC series Better Call Saul, which tops David Bianculli's 2015 10-Best list.

Fresh Air Weekend: Our Critics Pick The Best TV, Books, Movies And Music Of 2015

1:25pm January 02, 2016

David Bianulli picks the best TV shows of the year. Short books dominate Maureen Corrigan's best book list. David Edelstein recommends the year's best films. Ken Tucker assesses the best music of '15.

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Arts

Harlan Ellison Returns With A 'Can'tankerous' New Collection

5:17am January 02, 2016

by Jason Sheehan

The sci-fi legend is America's national curmudgeon — and his rage, humor and a little sadness are all on display in a new collection of short pieces, interspersed with thoughts about his 2014 stroke.

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'Shame And Wonder' Is Light On Shame, Heavy On Wonder

3:39pm December 31, 2015

by Annalisa Quinn

David Searcy's essay collection finds the marvelous in everything from classic cars to Scrooge McDuck. Though it lacks some leavening humor, it's a lovely argument for approaching the world with awe.

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From NPR's International Desk: A Few Of Our Favorite Reads

6:41pm December 30, 2015

From ancient China to its modern rise, from the searing feuds of the Middle East to the cultural contradictions of Rio, our international staff offers up some of the best books of 2015. Enjoy.

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington

Books
Arts

Flawed But Readable 'Love' May Break Your Heart

11:02am December 30, 2015

by Bethanne Patrick

Ed Tarkington's debut, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, mixes mystery and coming-of-age in a lush Southern Gothic setting. Critic Bethanne Patrick says despite some missteps, it's beautifully written.