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How To Handle Santa-Heavy TV In A Jewish Home()
December 25, 2012 The Christmas season is a peculiar time for Jewish children, many of whom are drawn to Christmas specials like A Christmas Story. What should Jewish parents do? Guest host John Donvan talks to Slate senior editor Dahlia Lithwick about her Jewish parent's guide to Christmas specials.
Perfectionists Are Often The Best At 'The Art Of Procrastination'()
December 25, 2012 Robert Siegel talks with author John Perry about his book, The Art Of Procrastination. It's a tiny little tome that extols the virtues of constructive procrastination. (This piece initially aired Sept. 16, 2012, on All Things Considered).
Joan Rivers Hates You, Herself and Everyone Else()
December 26, 2012 Comedian Joan Rivers hates a lot of things. Her new book, I Hate Everyone, Starting With Me, details the things Rivers can't stand, from her appearance to obituaries to younger comedians who steal her gigs.
'Law & Order' Meets Tom Clancy In Dick Wolf's First Novel()
December 26, 2012 The Law & Order creator's detective fiction debut is set in New York after the killing of Osama bin Laden. Although The Intercept borrows stylistically from Wolf's television background, he says novel writing allows him "to tell bigger stories on a bigger canvas."
Shake It Up! Vintage Cocktails Are Ripe For Revival()
December 27, 2012 This holiday season, instead of settling for the standard martini, historian Lesley Blume suggests you reach for a taste of bygone cocktail culture. She offers tips for picking the right antique elixir, as well as the original recipe for one of Ernest Hemingway's favorites.
R.A. Dickey On 'Winding Up' As A Knuckleballer()
December 27, 2012 New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey is currently the only knuckleball pitcher in the major leagues. His memoir, Wherever I Wind Up, explains how his life — and career — have mimicked the unpredictable trajectory of the difficult pitch he throws game after game.
Talking About What It Means 'To Be Black'()
December 27, 2012 In his 2012 book, How To Be Black, comedian Baratunde Thurston offers a humorous and poignant commentary on race in America. As part of our annual series on books we missed, Thurston shares his take on the conversations Americans have about race — as well as the ones we should have, but avoid altogether.
Books
Margaret Atwood's Brave New World Of Online Publishing()
December 27, 2012 Charles Dickens wrote many of his greatest works in serial form, but serial publishing has fallen by the wayside since his day. Now, it's being revived online, and Margaret Atwood is publishing a future-dystopia novel called Positron in installments via the literary website Byliner.
Tamari Greens, Miso Yams: Chef Gives Vegans Multicultural Flavor()
December 28, 2012 Chef and author Bryant Terry is on a quest to popularize the plant-based, vegan diet. Inspired by his own family's roots, his latest project involves blending African- and Asian-American cuisines.
'The Book Of Gin' Distills A Spirited History()
December 28, 2012 From medieval medicine to 18th century English "crack," gin has come a long way. But according to Richard Barnett, author of The Book of Gin, now is "the best time in the last 500 years to be drinking" it.
History
The Renaissance Man Who Got It All Wrong()
December 28, 2012 In A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change, John Glassie writes of 17th-century Jesuit priest and scientist Athanasius Kircher, a renaissance man who studied magnetism, Mount Vesuvius, even the blood of plague victims. The only problem? His theories were often wrong.
Book Challenges Kids With Science-Based Mysteries()
December 28, 2012 Move over, CSI and NCIS, there's a new game in town. Authors Eric and Natalie Yoder share some of their 'One Minute Mysteries' that can be solved with logic and knowledge of science — and without the aid of a magically fast DNA lab or improbable photo enhancement software.
Book Reviews
Author Ben Fountain's Book Picks For 2013()
December 30, 2012 Ben Fountain's first novel, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, was nominated for the 2012 National Book Award. He's well-read for 2013, so we thought we'd ask him what to look forward to in the book world.
Death Of The (Predatory) Salesman: These Days, It's A Buyer's Market()
December 31, 2012 In his new book, To Sell Is Human, Daniel H. Pink describes how access to information has empowered buyers and dramatically changed the sales landscape. Caveat emptor — buyer beware — is still good advice, Pink says, but so is caveat venditor — seller beware.
Books
A Child Of The Slums Becomes A 'Queen' Of Chess()
December 31, 2012 Phiona Mutesi grew up in one of the roughest slums in Uganda. Her days were spent focusing on survival, until she discovered chess. She's now on her way to becoming a world-class chess competitor. Host Michel Martin speaks with Mutesi, her coach Robert Katende, and Tim Crothers, who chronicles her story in his new book, The Queen of Katwe.
