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A Year's Worth Of Facts From An NPR Librarian()
October 13, 2012 NPR's longest-serving reference librarian, Kee Malesky, is the author of a new book, Learn Something New Every Day: 365 Facts to Fulfill Your Life. Malesky offers facts for each day of the year, from the landing on the moon to the invention of sliced bread.
Michael Feinstein: What I Learned From The Gershwins()
October 13, 2012 The musician and educator spent six years as Ira Gershwin's cataloger and archivist. His experience forms the basis of a new book, The Gershwins and Me, in which he explores George and Ira's work and influence.
How Lincoln's Fiercest Rival Became His Close Ally()
October 13, 2012 Walter Starhr's new biography, Seward: Lincoln's Indispensable Man, tells the story of William Seward and Abraham Lincoln and how these two campaign adversaries became close White House allies.
Poetry
'A Thousand Mornings' With Poet Mary Oliver()
October 14, 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver often writes about the natural world — the animals she sees and the woods she walks in. Her new book, A Thousand Mornings, collects her morning meditations as she stands by her door, notebook and pen in hand.
Word Wars And The 'Story Of Ain't'()
October 14, 2012 Writer David Skinner tells Weekend Edition host Rachel Martin about the creation of the dictionary commonly known as "Webster's Third." Its full title is Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language. The dictionary was published in 1961, and immediately caused a frenzy with its newfangled approach to language. Skinner's book is called The Story of Ain't.
Traveling The World Brings Andrew McCarthy Home()
October 14, 2012 Former teen heartthrob Andrew McCarthy heads around the world to confront his own issues on intimacy and commitment in his new memoir, The Longest Way Home.
Books
A Startling Gap Between Us And Them In 'Plutocrats'()
October 15, 2012 Reuters editor Chrystia Freeland traveled the world, interviewing multimillionaires and billionaires for her new book, Plutocrats. She says there's a startling disconnect between those at the very top and the rest of us — one that has the power to transform society in unfortunate ways.
Books
Some Book! 'Charlotte's Web' Turns 60()
October 15, 2012 E.B. White's classic children's book is ostensibly about a spider and a pig. But author Michael Sims says the story is really about the barn the critters live in, based on a real barn on White's Maine farm.
Books
Technology Helps Track A Terrorist In 'The Finish'()
October 16, 2012 Black Hawk Down author Mark Bowden's new book outlines the changes in warfare since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and the way our increasing computational power has helped capture terrorists like Osama bin Laden.
In A 'Dream,' Lincoln Checks In On State Of The Union()
October 16, 2012 In Abe Lincoln's Dream, the 16th president wants to know how the nation is doing since the Civil War. Caldecott award-winning author and illustrator Lane Smith says he was inspired by stories of Lincoln's real dreams. "He had premonitions," Smith says. "He was haunted by his dreams."
'Gershwins And Me' Tells The Stories Behind 12 Songs()
October 17, 2012 Musician Michael Feinstein chronicles his experience working as an archivist and cataloger for legendary songwriter Ira Gershwin. The book is presented through the stories of 12 of the Gershwin brothers' songs, including "Fascinating Rhythm," "The Man I Love" and "I Got Rhythm."
In Constant Digital Contact, We Feel 'Alone Together'()
October 18, 2012 In her book Alone Together, psychologist Sherry Turkle explains how digital devices are affecting our communication and relationships. "What is so seductive about texting, about keeping that phone on, about that little red light on the BlackBerry, is you want to know who wants you," Turkle says.
Baratunde Thurston Explains 'How To Be Black'()
October 19, 2012 From the comedian and digital director of The Onion, a satirical self-help book for anyone who has a black friend, wants to be the next black president or speak for the black community.
Monkey See
'Friendkeeping': The Close Relationships We Could, But Can't Easily, Let Go()
October 19, 2012 Julie Klam's new book Friendkeeping is a serious — and funny — look at adult friendships. It's a surprisingly rare thing, and she and I spoke about why friendships are such a neglected science and how we keep them up as we get older.
'John Lennon Letters' Reveal A Life As It Happened()
October 20, 2012 The famous Beatle was known for writing notes that often contained funny drawings and self portraits. Now, Hunter Davies has gathered those letters into a collection that tells the story of Lennon's life, from a note written to his aunt at 10, to one written minutes before his murder.
