NPR Columns: Three Books... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90796087&ft=1&f=90796087 Why three? We live in a three-dimensional world, colored with hues that break down into a trio of primary colors. Our souls (according to Plato) and our psyches (according to Freud) are trilithic. Three is a number that allows for conversation, completion, understanding. And so "Three Books..." invites writers to recommend three great reads on a single theme. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:33:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Three Books... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90796087&ft=1&f=90796087 Devilishly Good Books Terrify ... And Delight How long has it been since you felt the needle jab of panic or were startled to glimpse a pale face in the window? Nothing makes you feel more alive — or cherish the relative safety and normalcy of life — than dangling your foot over the edge of a cliff and then withdrawing it. These books will do just that. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:33:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95989825&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95989825&ft=1&f=90796087 How long has it been since you felt the needle jab of panic or were startled to glimpse a pale face in the window? Nothing makes you feel more alive — or cherish the relative safety and normalcy of life — than dangling your foot over the edge of a cliff and then withdrawing it. These books will do just that.

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]]> Three Hauntingly Unforgettable Literary Houses Literature is full of reminders that houses have souls, a fact characters forget at their own peril. In some novels, the house is as much a force as any of the people in the story. When that happens, the human characters had better beware. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:08:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114176451&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114176451&ft=1&f=90796087 Literature is full of reminders that houses have souls, a fact characters forget at their own peril. In some novels, the house is as much a force as any of the people in the story. When that happens, the human characters had better beware.

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]]> Straddling The Pacific: Books By Japanese-Americans Author Lisa See is drawn to books by Japanese-American women and the issues they tend to write about: love, race, identity, place and history — and its effect on the present. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:26:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112847031&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112847031&ft=1&f=90796087 Author Lisa See is drawn to books by Japanese-American women and the issues they tend to write about: love, race, identity, place and history — and its effect on the present.

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]]> Three Books For Frugal Fashionistas If you think fashion is just for rich socialites and reality show stars, you've been watching too much MTV. Melissa Walker has three books that show the key to style isn't cash — it's creativity. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104816953&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104816953&ft=1&f=90796087 If you think fashion is just for rich socialites and reality show stars, you've been watching too much MTV. Melissa Walker has three books that show the key to style isn't cash — it's creativity.

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]]> Cold Cases: Icy Books Offer Relief From The Heat The days grow shorter, but still, the summer heat surrounds you like an unwanted extra blanket. A trip to Iceland may seem in order, but who can afford it? So you turn to books for relief. These three books should cool you down. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112465364&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112465364&ft=1&f=90796087 The days grow shorter, but still, the summer heat surrounds you like an unwanted extra blanket. A trip to Iceland may seem in order, but who can afford it? So you turn to books for relief. These three books should cool you down.

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]]> Stranded? Three Books To Save Your Life If you're stranded somewhere dangerous and remote, and you're not sure how you're going to survive — maybe you should read a book. Author Jake Halpern suggests three that will get you out of any tough spot. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:06:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112212549&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112212549&ft=1&f=90796087 If you're stranded somewhere dangerous and remote, and you're not sure how you're going to survive — maybe you should read a book. Author Jake Halpern suggests three that will get you out of any tough spot.

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]]> Books About Music? They Don't Have To Sound Flat Books about music are notoriously poor at describing the abstraction and subtlety of a melody, but these three books sing like the real thing. Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105898803&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105898803&ft=1&f=90796087 Books about music are notoriously poor at describing the abstraction and subtlety of a melody, but these three books sing like the real thing.

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]]> 1969: Racy Reads From A Landmark Year 1969 was a big year in America: Woodstock, the Manson Family, <em>The Brady Bunch</em> premiere on TV. But Ben Greenman says literature was energized as well. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104871270&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104871270&ft=1&f=90796087 1969 was a big year in America: Woodstock, the Manson Family, The Brady Bunch premiere on TV. But Ben Greenman says literature was energized as well.

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]]> Radio Reads: Books Capture The Essence Of The Dial Critic Troy Patterson suggests three books that bring to life the immediacy and excitement of radio. Tune into any of them for keen commentary, muscular storytelling and the fine sound of a distinctive voice. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106183779&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106183779&ft=1&f=90796087 Critic Troy Patterson suggests three books that bring to life the immediacy and excitement of radio. Tune into any of them for keen commentary, muscular storytelling and the fine sound of a distinctive voice.

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]]> Red, White And True: The Great American Biography Country legend Johnny Cash, bon vivant George Plimpton and consummate entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. don't have much in common. But their lives have much to tell us about what it means to be a great American. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106105375&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106105375&ft=1&f=90796087 Country legend Johnny Cash, bon vivant George Plimpton and consummate entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. don't have much in common. But their lives have much to tell us about what it means to be a great American.

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]]> Good Dad, Bad Dad And Something In Between In celebration of Father's Day, here are three enthralling books about a few different dads &mdash; not all of whom know best. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105595694&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105595694&ft=1&f=90796087 In celebration of Father's Day, here are three enthralling books about a few different dads — not all of whom know best.

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]]> Books To Keep You Sane On A Family Road Trip Being in a car with your immediate family for hours on end can make even the most levelheaded traveler consider jumping out the window. Author Sarah Dessen has some reading suggestions for staying safe &mdash; and sane &mdash; on the highway. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105209056&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105209056&ft=1&f=90796087 Being in a car with your immediate family for hours on end can make even the most levelheaded traveler consider jumping out the window. Author Sarah Dessen has some reading suggestions for staying safe — and sane — on the highway.

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]]> No Such Thing As Witty Women? Think Again Think women aren't funny? Lynn Harris recommends three books by famous funny ladies Dolly Parton, Lucille Ball and Carrie Fisher that will force you to think again. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105203131&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105203131&ft=1&f=90796087 Think women aren't funny? Lynn Harris recommends three books by famous funny ladies Dolly Parton, Lucille Ball and Carrie Fisher that will force you to think again.

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]]> Buck Up: Life Lessons From Young Heroines When the stock market crashed, writer Lizzie Skurnick turned to her childhood bookcase, where she found a bunch of girls who learned to survive life's downsizing. Here are three heroines whose belt-tightening serves as great advice. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105215167&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105215167&ft=1&f=90796087 When the stock market crashed, writer Lizzie Skurnick turned to her childhood bookcase, where she found a bunch of girls who learned to survive life's downsizing. Here are three heroines whose belt-tightening serves as great advice.

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]]> Books Reveal Theater's Behind-The-Scenes Secrets The Tony Awards are tonight, and NPR entertainment editor Trey Graham will be watching. But he thinks it's too bad that there aren't any categories for the best backstage dramas. Until that day comes, here are three applause-worthy books about what goes on behind the scenes. Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104965090&ft=1&f=90796087 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104965090&ft=1&f=90796087 The Tony Awards are tonight, and NPR entertainment editor Trey Graham will be watching. But he thinks it's too bad that there aren't any categories for the best backstage dramas. Until that day comes, here are three applause-worthy books about what goes on behind the scenes.

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