Book News: Stephen King's New Bogeyman? Digital Publishing
by Annalisa Quinn
Also: the legacy of Kierkegaard; the creator of Lyle Crocodile has died; Aussie airliner Qantas commissions flight-length books.
Must Reads
Some stories are just too weird, too funny or too sad to ignore. They may not be "serious news," but are so fascinating you must read them. NPR correspondents are on the watch for such tales. We pass along the best, from NPR and other news outlets.
WATCH: A Train Wreck Of A 'Star-Spangled Banner' Performance
by Eyder Peralta
When it becomes clear to Canadian jazz singer Alexis Normand that she doesn't remember the words, she tries to mumble her way through the national anthem.
VIDEO: Look Inside A Grizzly Bear's Mouth
by Mark Memmott
A 3-year-old grizzly in Alaska found a GoPro camera that had been set up to capture nature scenes. The result: Very upclose video. Warning: If slobber and big teeth aren't your thing, this video may not be for you.
©2013 NPR
Book News: J.K. Rowling Tells 'Harry Potter' Backstories
by Annalisa Quinn
Quidditch was invented "in a small hotel in Manchester after a row with my then boyfriend," writes the Harry Potter creator. Other book news: Ireland puts an entire short story on a postage stamp; Daniel Handler on Midwestern literature; and the best books coming out this week.
Aw-Inspiring Video: Sea Lion Worries When Little Girl Falls
by Mark Memmott
On one side of the glass: A little girl running in circles. On the other side: A sea lion swimming in circles. When the little miss tripped, the sea lion came to a quick stop. It's a feel-good moment.
Washington Green? State Creates Logo For Legal Pot
by Mark Memmott
When it becomes legal to sell marijuana in the state, packages will have to be labeled. The logo is a marijuana leaf centered over an outline of the state. Will T-shirts and bumper stickers follow?
Famed Race Driver Dick Trickle Dies, Suicide Suspected
by Mark Memmott
A fan favorite who gained nationwide fame because of his name, Trickle was known for both his many wins and his huge personality. But he may never have gotten over a granddaughter's death, friends say. Trickle was 71.
Book News: Amazon May Be Called Before Parliament Over Taxes
by Annalisa Quinn
Also: AARP and The Nation join a growing list of ebook publishers; Hilary Mantel on Jane Austen; Anne Applebaum on Sheryl Sandberg.
Kai 'The Hatchet Hitchhiker' Is Accused Of Murder
by Mark Memmott
Caleb "Kai" McGillvary became an Internet sensation in February with his colorful account of how he helped save a California utility worker who was being beaten by another man. Now, McGillvary is charged in the murder of a lawyer in New Jersey.
Almost Nerd Wars: 'Doctor Who' & 'Star Wars' Fans Have Spat
by Mark Memmott
There were some tense moments when Doctor Who fans showed up at a Star Wars convention. There was no battle between the two alien nations. But what would happen if the Doctor met Darth Vader?
Twitter Users Risk Damnation, Saudi Religious Police Say
by Mark Memmott
Sheikh Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said anyone using social media sites — and especially Twitter — "has lost this world and his afterlife." Many Saudis have turned to social media sites for news and to discuss issues they might otherwise not be able to bring up.
Book News: Amazon's Tiny Tax Payment Draws Fresh Scrutiny
by Annalisa Quinn
Also: Afaa Michael Weaver on being a black poet abroad; ebook sales jumped 44 percent last year; Cormac McCarthy's beach body.
Take Your Seat, The 'No Photography' Sign Is Lit
by Martin Kaste
A viral video from an American Airlines flight highlights a little-known airline policy: no unauthorized photography.
Obama Announces Resignation Of Acting IRS Commissioner
by Scott Neuman
The president says the resignation of Steve Miller is part of a larger effort to make sure the IRS never again engages in partisan targeting of certain groups.
Pffff: Hong Kong's Six-Story Rubber Ducky's Been Deflated
by Mark Memmott
But fear not, ducky fans. The floating work of art is going to be reinflated. It's just down for maintenance. See the before and after photos.
Book News: Justice Department Says Apple Led Price-Fixing Ring
by Annalisa Quinn
Also: George Orwell's rules for making tea; what Antigone can teach us about the burial of Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
It's True: 'Mistakes Were Made' Is The King Of Non-Apologies
by Mark Memmott
As the head of the IRS turns to this classic "past exonerative," we look at the history of an oft-used phrase. It came up in the Nixon era, again during the Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, and now in the Obama years. It goes back much further, though.
Please Welcome The Parallels Blog: 'Many Stories, One World'
by Mark Memmott
NPR has launched a blog that looks to tell stories from around the world that connect us all.
She's No Diva: Unruly Flier Sings 'I Will Always Love You'
by Mark Memmott
VIDEO: A would-be Whitney Houston wouldn't stop singing on a flight from Los Angeles to New York City. So, the pilot made an unscheduled stop in Kansas City. As she was led off, the woman serenaded everyone.
Book News: Amazon Debuts Its Virtual Currency
by Annalisa Quinn
Also: Illinois school district bans The Perks of Being a Wallflower; W.H. Auden's 1939 journal discovered; Bret Easton Ellis on gay stereotypes.
