archive
The Two-Way
Book News: DOJ Approves Penguin, Random House Merger
February 15, 2013 Also: The erotic writings of John Donne; Randi Zuckerberg gets a two-book deal; and the whimsical world of book sculpting.
First Reads
Exclusive First Read: 'The Summer Prince' By Alaya Dawn Johnson
February 15, 2013 Alaya Dawn Johnson's new young adult novel, The Summer Prince, is set in post-apocalyptic Brazil, in a giant pyramid-shaped city ruled by queens with a combination of technology and ancient, bloody sacrifice.
First Reads
Questions For Alaya Dawn Johnson, Author Of 'The Summer Prince'
February 15, 2013 Alaya Dawn Johnson answers a few questions about her new YA novel, The Summer Prince — an NPR Books Exclusive First Read.
Movie Interviews
The Story Of 'No' Is The Story Of Modern Chile
February 15, 2013 The Chilean political drama No is the first film from that country to be nominated for the Best Foreign Language Academy Award. The powerful, poignant film uses an unlikely main character to chart the surprising end of a dictator's reign.
Movie Reviews
Kiarostami Eyes Tokyo 'Like Someone In Love'
February 14, 2013 Legendary Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami turns to the neon sprawl of Tokyo for Like Someone in Love, where his actors find some gentle insight. But the expat director retains something of the air of a wide-eyed tourist, which isn't always to the film's credit.
Movie Reviews
'Shanghai Calling,' And The Answer Is, 'Why Not?'
February 14, 2013 The cheery, cheesy Shanghai Calling trots out familiar plot lines and retread characters in a made-for-TV-style pastiche. But it's an enjoyably familiar journey of American migration that embraces its globally minded audience with open arms.
Books
You Had Me At The First Page: Writers Who Fell For Each Other
February 14, 2013 In honor of Valentine's Day, here are three literary matches made in heaven.
Movies
Hooray For Nollywood: Nigerian Distributor Casts Wide Net Online
February 14, 2013 Although access to the Web is still limited in many parts of Africa, "Nollywood" films — movies produced in Nigeria — are booming on the Internet. Startup iROKOtv is a part of that boom, and their audience is a global one.
Found Recipes
Couple Ties The Knot With Their Own Afro-Asian Rice Treat
February 14, 2013 Bryant Terry and Jidan Koon's relationship evolved over cooking. So much so that when they got engaged, they created a special dish that united their Asian-American and African-American backgrounds: Afro-Asian jung — sticky rice packets tied up with string.
Movie Reviews
'Beautiful Creatures': Young Love, Supernatural And Southern-Fried
February 14, 2013 The supernatural romance could well have foundered amid its unwieldy mix of dark magic and Dixie camp. But it somehow succeeds — especially when it casts aside complications and focuses on the simple story of young love in the middle of it all.
Movie Reviews
'A Good Day': Wake Me Tomorrow
February 14, 2013 If the clunky, clueless A Good Day to Die Hard achieves anything during its noisily explosive 90 minutes, it settles the long-running debate about which film in Bruce Willis' action series is the worst. Hint: It's this one.
Author Interviews
'Klansville, U.S.A.' Chronicles The Rise And Fall Of The KKK
February 14, 2013 Author and sociologist David Cunningham speaks with Fresh Air's Terry Gross about the origins of cross burnings and white hoods, and why North Carolina had more Klan members during the height of the civil rights movement than all other Southern states combined.

