Books

Books

John Grisham's New Novel "Camino Island"

1:30pm June 28, 2017

In Grisham's latest novel, his 30th, he departs from his usual legal thriller genre to write about a struggling young author who moves to a sleepy resort town in Florida. It's the story of a rare books dealer, a daring literary crime and a young, female writer who tries to catch a thief.

Author Michael Wallis says there are modern lessons to learn from the Donner Party — primarily about the fatal combination of ignorance and arrogance. Above, an undated drawing of the pioneers, looking to make their way West.

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Arts

'What Would You Do?' Author Wants To Stop Sensationalizing The Donner Party

11:25am June 28, 2017

by Dave Davies

In The Best Land Under Heaven, Michael Wallis chronicles the saga of a band of pioneers who resorted to cannibalism after getting stranded en route West. He says "there's so much more" to the story.

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Multiple Narratives Mean Non-Stop Action In 'The Child'

7:00am June 28, 2017

by Bethanne Patrick

Fiona Barton's latest — a followup to last year's hit The Widow — picks up with journalist Kate Waters as she digs into another cold case, this one an infant skeleton found at a building site.

Sports
Books

Former Tennis Player James Blake On Athletes And Activism

6:38am June 28, 2017

Retired tennis player James Blake has written a book about athletes who take on social causes after he was tackled by a police officer. He talks with Rachel Martin about his book Ways of Grace.

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'The Strange Death Of Europe' Warns Against Impacts Of Immigration

5:47pm June 27, 2017

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Douglas Murray about his new book, The Strange Death of Europe: Immigration, Identity, Islam. He argues that European civilization is dying as a result of immigration.

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Business Leaders Address Detroit Economic Club

Beyond The Valley Of The CEOs — Bringing Big Tech To Small Towns

2:51pm June 27, 2017

Venture capital is concentrated on the coasts — how can investors be encouraged to spread the wealth?

Books
Arts

In 'Amatka,' A Warped And Chilling Portrait Of Post-Truth Reality

7:00am June 27, 2017

by Jason Heller

Karin Tidbeck's new novel is set in the mysterious city of Amatka, an agricultural colony ruled by a totalitarian government — but this is no standard dystopia. In Amatka, language has strange power.

Copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, on sale in an Arlington, Virginia bookstore in 2000.

Books
Arts

On Harry Potter's 20th Anniversary, Listen To His NPR Debut

5:55pm June 26, 2017

by Glen Weldon

The first Harry Potter book came out 20 years ago today. One year later, in 1998, was the first time we mentioned the book, on All Things Considered. Here's Margot Adler's piece in its entirety.

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John McEnroe reacts during a Men's Legends match against Jim Courier at the Connecticut Open in August 2015.

'But Seriously,' Tennis Great John McEnroe Says He's Seeking 'Inner Peace'

11:12am June 25, 2017

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Known for his on-court outbursts, McEnroe famously yelled, "You cannot be serious!" at one official. Now, decades later, he says it's a "miracle" if he goes a full day without hearing that line.

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Books
Arts

A New Delhi Family Learns To Navigate Wealth After A 'Windfall'

8:06am June 25, 2017

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Diksha Basu's new novel was inspired by the explosion of wealth she saw in 1990s India. She says money is a complex thing, and it takes a while for her characters to see that.