Books

In 'Good Booty,' Our Hot And Heavy Love Affair With Pop Music

7:00am August 17, 2017

by Jason Heller

Sex is such an inextricable part of pop music, it's easy to overlook, but NPR Music critic Ann Powers rectifies that in her new book, a portrait of America's obsession with sex as it manifests in pop.

Former President Barack Obama's tweet after the violence Charlottesville, Va., is now the most-liked tweet ever. The tweet quoted Nelson Mandela and included this photo of Obama visiting a daycare in Maryland.

Quoting Mandela, Obama's Tweet After Charlottesville Is The Most-Liked Ever

1:56pm August 16, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion," the former president tweeted. He was quoting Nelson Mandela, and it struck a chord for many.

Books
Arts

3 Romances For Your August Escape

1:00pm August 16, 2017

by Maya Rodale

The lazy days of August call for getaway reading, so we've got three romances that'll take you from old China to the small-town South, featuring couples who learn love is closer than they think.

How to Behave in a Crowd By Camille Bordas.

Books
Arts

An Oddball Family That Can't Connect In 'How To Behave In A Crowd'

7:00am August 16, 2017

by Heller McAlpin

Camille Bordas keeps things light in her smart, charming new novel, but there are serious underpinnings to this story about the youngest member of a family of quirky, emotionally closed overachievers.

Good Booty

5:38pm August 15, 2017

What rhymes with tutti frutti?

'The Once And Future Liberal' Looks At Shortfalls Of American Liberalism

4:40pm August 15, 2017

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Mark Lilla, author of the book, The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics, which looks at the failure of American liberalism over the past two generations.

Author Max Brooks has done extensive research on preparing for widespread catastrophe. He's now a fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point.

Books
Arts

Novelist Max Brooks On Doomsday, Dyslexia And Growing Up With Hollywood Parents

2:29pm August 15, 2017

by Terry Gross

Brooks' stable childhood with parents Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft stands in contrast to the wild stories he tells in novels like World War Z and Minecraft: The Island.

Books at Amazon's New York City store are shelved with the covers facing out and organized around features that originated on the website, including "Most Wished For" and "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought."

Books
Arts

Be More Than A Bookstore: A Brick-And-Mortar Shop's Key To Success

1:35pm August 15, 2017

by Lynn Neary

Barnes & Noble is experimenting with food, Amazon is replicating its online business and an indie shop aims to be part of the community. Ultimately, they all want to sell more books.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

'Hail To The Chin': B-List Actor Bruce Campbell Returns With A Memoir Of Middle Age

11:30am August 15, 2017

by Glen Weldon

Campbell's second collection of rants and ruminations is just as enjoyably smarmy as his first, though the actor's ruthlessly sardonic outlook has mellowed.

Books
Arts

'Home Fire' Puts A Topical Spin On Ancient Greek Tragedy

10:00am August 15, 2017

by Michael Schaub

Kamila Shamsie's new book — beautifully written and paced — updates the ancient story of Antigone to tell an explosive story of two families tangled together by love, grief and religious radicalism.