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Books

Space

'Mercury Rising' explores treacherous U.S. attempts to control space

Fresh Air

Historian Jeff Shesol recalls the early days of the space program, when Cold War fears ruled and no one knew if John Glenn would survive America's first orbital flight. Originally broadcast June 2021.

'Mercury Rising' explores treacherous U.S. attempts to control space

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'Blonde' director says the unhappiness of Marilyn Monroe should come as no surprise

Adrien Brody as The Playwright & Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. 2022 © Netflix hide caption

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2022 © Netflix

Movies

'Blonde' director says the unhappiness of Marilyn Monroe should come as no surprise

The Netflix adaptation reimagines the inner life of one of Hollywood's most enduring icons.

'Blonde' director says the unhappiness of Marilyn Monroe should come as no surprise

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Author Interviews

Remembering Hilary Mantel, Booker Prize-winning author of the 'Wolf Hall' saga

Fresh Air

The British writer, who died Sept. 22, wrote a trilogy of critically acclaimed historical novels on the life of Thomas Cromwell, one of Henry VIII's most trusted advisors. Originally broadcast in '12.

Remembering Hilary Mantel, Booker Prize-winning author of the 'Wolf Hall' saga

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For author Julissa Arce, 'sounding white' isn't a compliment

Author Julissa Arce makes the case for rejecting assimilation in her latest book, You Sound Like a White Girl. Aly Honore hide caption

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Aly Honore

It's Been a Minute

For author Julissa Arce, 'sounding white' isn't a compliment

Julissa Arce used to think that the secret to fitting in was to "sound white" — to speak English perfectly, with no accent. And for years after her family came to the U.S. from Mexico, she did all the things immigrants are "supposed" to do to assimilate: she went to college, got a job at Goldman Sachs and became an American citizen.

For author Julissa Arce, 'sounding white' isn't a compliment

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After Making History As A Child, Ruby Bridges Shares Her Story With Today's Kids

In November 1960, Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. The six-year-old was escorted by four U.S. marshals. Uncredited/AP hide caption

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Uncredited/AP

Consider This from NPR

After Making History As A Child, Ruby Bridges Shares Her Story With Today's Kids

Ruby Bridges was just six years old in 1960 when she became the first Black child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.

After Making History As A Child, Ruby Bridges Shares Her Story With Today's Kids

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Author Interviews

A novelist's time in the MMA cage informed his book on memory loss and identity

Fresh Air

John Vercher trained in mixed martial arts as a young man. His novel, After the Lights Go Out, is about a veteran MMA fighter struggling to remember everyday things. Originally broadcast June 2022.

A novelist's time in the MMA cage informed his book on memory loss and identity

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'Less' offers more in Andrew Sean Greer's follow-up to his Pulitzer-winning novel

Less is Lost, by Andrew Sean Greer Little, Brown hide caption

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Little, Brown

Review

Book Reviews

'Less' offers more in Andrew Sean Greer's follow-up to his Pulitzer-winning novel

Fresh Air

Greer's new comic novel, Less is Lost, is as funny and poignant as its predecessor. But comedy also arises out of pain and Greer smoothly transitions into the profound.

'Less' offers more in Andrew Sean Greer's follow-up to his Pulitzer-winning novel

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40 years after she took the stage, 'Angelina Ballerina' is still dancing
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Picture This

40 years after she took the stage, 'Angelina Ballerina' is still dancing

Angelina is a determined little mouse in a pink tutu who dreams of becoming a ballerina. Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig revisit their beloved character, the star of more than 25 picture books.

40 years after she took the stage, 'Angelina Ballerina' is still dancing

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Animals

Monkey thieves, drunk elephants — Mary Roach reveals a weird world of animal 'crime'

Fresh Air

Roach researched animal misbehaviors for her book, Fuzz. She says animals tend to ignore the rules we try to impose on them — and they often have the last laugh. Originally broadcast Sept. 14, 2021.

Monkey thieves, drunk elephants — Mary Roach reveals a weird world of animal 'crime'

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Saeed Jones confronts the end of the world in new poems
Saeed Jones/Saeed Jones

Saeed Jones confronts the end of the world in new poems

Alive at the End of The World, the new poetry collection by Saeed Jones, reckons with continued living in the face of endless grief.

Saeed Jones confronts the end of the world in new poems

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'British Vogue' editor-in-chief wants his magazine to reflect the world he sees

Edward Enninful became the editor-in-chief of British Vogue in 2017. His new memoir is A Visible Man. Rafael Pavarotti/Penguin Random House hide caption

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Rafael Pavarotti/Penguin Random House

Author Interviews

'British Vogue' editor-in-chief wants his magazine to reflect the world he sees

Fresh Air

Edward Enninful grew up in Ghana, assisting his mother in her dressmaking shop. "For me, fashion was always such an inclusive, beautiful thing," he says. His memoir is A Visible Man.

'British Vogue' editor-in-chief wants his magazine to reflect the world he sees

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