Worshipful female followers fought for the Mad Monk's leftover bread crusts. His infamous sweet tooth led to his death. Or did it? A century later, rumors about Grigori Rasputin, Russia's czarina whisperer, still swirl. RGALI/Courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux hide caption

The Week's Best Stories From NPR Books
This week: Meg Wolitzer, Charles Frazier, Jo Nesbo, Nafissa Thompson-Spires and James Sexton.This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Marian Carrasquero/NPR hide caption
'This Is How It Always Is' Was Inspired By Its Author's Transgender Child
Kim Cattrall as socialite — and murder victim — Emily French in The Witness for the Prosecution. Robert Viglasky/Acorn TV hide caption
Kim Cattrall, More Than Just A Murder Victim In 'Witness For The Prosecution'
Bosworth sits in her "hideout" in 1945. Courtesy of Patricia Bosworth hide caption
Renowned Biographer Patricia Bosworth Writes A Chapter From Her Own Life
The History of U.S. Intervention And The 'Birth Of The American Empire'
Though Donald Trump's policies may not help his voters economically, sociologist Arlie Hochschild says he is speaking to them on a deeper level: meeting their emotional needs. MICHAEL MATHES/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Strangers in Their Own Land: The 'Deep Story' of Trump Supporters
Writer and critic Jason Sheehan calls Red Dead Redemption his favorite Western of all time — surpassing even The Outlaw Josey Wales. Courtesy of Rockstar Games hide caption
Margaret Wise Brown is the author of beloved children's books such as Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. She died suddenly at age 42, leaving behind a body of unpublished work. HarperCollins Children's Books hide caption
'Goodnight Moon' Author Margaret Wise Brown Was No Old Lady Whispering Hush
Gorey Details: Neil Patrick Harris plays the evil, vainglorious Count Olaf to the hilt in the Netflix black comedy series. Joe Lederer/Netflix hide caption
First lady Michelle Obama welcomes community leaders from across the country to celebrate the successes and share best practices to continue the work of the Mayor's Challenge to End Veterans' Homelessness in the East Room of the White House complex in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption
A Century-Old Poet Looks Back — And Fearlessly Forward — In 'Purgatory'
Pasta puttanesca is perhaps the most well-known dish among Lemony Snicket fans, although Count Olaf would have preferred roast beef. Kristen Hartke hide caption
Publisher Simon & Schuster drew strong criticism after signing conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos — seen here holding a press conference about the Pulse nightclub shootings. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption