October 1999

Keeping House -- Linda speaks with author Cheryl Mendelson about her book, Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House. Mendelson is a lawyer, philosopher and sometime professor who has used her research skills to learn the truth about the history of house keeping. The book also provides instruction in tasks from making a good fire in a fireplace to tuning a piano. (5:30)

World Playground Banning Eyre reviews a new compilation CD for kids called World Playground. It features various artists from around the world singing kid-friendly songs in many languages. Infectious rhythms and kid-written liner notes are only part of the appeal of this lively collection. World Playground: A Musical Adventure for Kids is on Putumayo World music, catalog number PUTU 154-2. (4:00)

The Story of a Million Years --Alan Cheuse tells us about a new novel, The Story of a Million Years, by David Huddle. It's a story of a secret love affair between a 15-year-old girl and the husband of her mother's best friend, and the impact it has on them later in life. (2:00)

Personal Injuries -- Alan Cheuse reviews Scott Turow's new book "Personal Injuries." (FSG) (2:30)

All Souls -- Noah talks to Michael Patrick MacDonald, author of All Souls: A Family Story from Southie (Beacon, 9/99). MacDonald talks about his book about growing up in an Irish housing project in Boston. He recounts how the busing riots were followed by years of violence in his neighborhood, which claimed the lives of four of his siblings. He grew up to be an anti-violence activist, and helped spearhead a gun buy-back program in Boston. (12:30)

A View From the Bridge -- Jackie Northam of member station WBEZ Radio in Chicago reports that on Saturday the Lyric Opera of Chicago unveiled its' world premiere of A View From the Bridge. The production is an adaptation of Arthur Miller's play of the same name. Bringing this classic theatre work to main stage opera represents a collaboration between Miller, the opera's composer, William Bolcom, and its' librettist, Arnold Weinstein. The three men worked closely for several years deciding what to leave in from the theatrical piece, what to leave out and how the music of the opera should enhance the original play. (7:30)

Books & Music Review Archive

Reading Lists