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Author Interviews

'Midnight Without A Moon' Fictionalizes Civil Rights Moment Through Eyes Of A Teen

One of the most tragic moments in civil rights history, the murder of Emmett Till, unfolds from the viewpoint of a young girl in Linda Williams Jackson's new YA novel. She talks to NPR's Ailsa Chang.

'Midnight Without A Moon' Fictionalizes Civil Rights Moment Through Eyes Of A Teen

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The U.S. And Its Long History With The 'Middle Kingdom'

Journalist John Pomfret has written extensively about U.S.-China relations throughout history. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Pomfret about his book, The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom.

The U.S. And Its Long History With The 'Middle Kingdom'

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Remembrances

In 'The Princess Diarist' Carrie Fisher Drew From Personal Journals

The actor best known for Princess Leia in the Star Wars film saga died Tuesday. Her recent book showed her to be very open about the crazy ups and downs in her life as she navigated show business.

In 'The Princess Diarist' Carrie Fisher Drew From Personal Journals

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Books

Author Interview: 'The Private Life Of Mrs. Sharma'

Renuka Sharma is a dutiful wife and a devoted mother. Life is going as planned until she meets a man at the metro station, and begins an affair. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to Ratika Kapur about her book.

Author Interview: 'The Private Life Of Mrs. Sharma'

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'My Drunk Kitchen' YouTube Star Pens Essays About Her Past In 'Buffering'

Rachel Martin talks to Hannah Hart about her YouTube series My Drunk Kitchen and about her book Buffering. Hart got famous for getting drunk and recording herself cooking a grilled cheese sandwich.

'My Drunk Kitchen' YouTube Star Pens Essays About Her Past In 'Buffering'

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'Certain Dark Things' Takes The Vampire Story In A New Direction
Ariel Zambelich/NPR

'Certain Dark Things' Takes The Vampire Story In A New Direction

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's latest, Certain Dark Things is a vampire story set in modern-day Mexico. She recalls being a child in Mexico and hearing tales of vampire witches from her great grandmother.

'Certain Dark Things' Takes The Vampire Story In A New Direction

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In 'Way Of The Strangers,' Wood Explores Why Young People Embrace ISIS

Reporter Graeme Wood has spent years interviewing members of ISIS — trying to understand what they want. His new book is called: The Way of the Strangers: Encounters with the Islamic State.

In 'Way Of The Strangers,' Wood Explores Why Young People Embrace ISIS

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Christmas Days

'Christmas Days' Is A Feast Of Stories — And Food

For author Jeanette Winterson, Christmas is as much about food as it is about storytelling. So her new book Christmas Days combines stories with favorite recipes from her friends and family.

'Christmas Days' Is A Feast Of Stories — And Food

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'Drug Dealer, M.D.': Misunderstandings And Good Intentions Fueled Opioid Epidemic
Endai Huedl/fStop/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

'Drug Dealer, M.D.': Misunderstandings And Good Intentions Fueled Opioid Epidemic

Fresh Air

Psychiatrist Anna Lembke says the medical establishment and drugmakers began telling doctors in the 1980s that opioids were effective treatment for chronic pain. "That was patently false," she says.

'Drug Dealer, M.D.': Misunderstandings And Good Intentions Fueled Opioid Epidemic

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'The Jingle King' Tracks Decline Of Original Music In Advertising

Steve Karmen wrote a number of famous jingles, including Budweiser's "When You Say Bud," and composed film scores. NPR explores how the business of writing the music for advertising has changed.

'The Jingle King' Tracks Decline Of Original Music In Advertising

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Broadway 'Master Of Ceremonies' Joel Grey Says, 'Life Seems Full'

Fresh Air

Grey explains how he brought his decadent Cabaret character to life on both the stage and screen, and reflects on coming out as gay after years of living closeted. Originally broadcast Feb. 9, 2016.

Broadway 'Master Of Ceremonies' Joel Grey Says, 'Life Seems Full'

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When A Professor Laughed At Her Queens Accent, Writer Tara Clancy Doubled Down

Clancy's writing has appeared in The Rumpus, The New York Times and The Paris Review Daily. Ashman Kipervaser/Courtesy of Crown hide caption

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Ashman Kipervaser/Courtesy of Crown

When A Professor Laughed At Her Queens Accent, Writer Tara Clancy Doubled Down

She says, "Instead of feeling mortified, I felt defiant." In The Clancys of Queens, Clancy tells stories of growing up in a working-class, New York family.

When A Professor Laughed At Her Queens Accent, Writer Tara Clancy Doubled Down

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18 and Life on Skid Row

Music Interviews

'High Times' And High Notes: The Life Of Sebastian Bach

The former Skid Row frontman spent a lot of his glory years under the influence, but his first true high came from singing in Christmas mass as kid. He discusses his new memoir with NPR's Ailsa Chang.

'High Times' And High Notes: The Life Of Sebastian Bach

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Comedian Jenny Slate And Her Father Share Family Stories In 'About The House'

About the House is a collection of stories, essays and poems by Ron Slate and his daughter, comedian Jenny Slate. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to the Slates about their collaboration.

Comedian Jenny Slate And Her Father Share Family Stories In 'About The House'

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Settle for More

Politics

Megyn Kelly On Trump And The Media: 'We're In A Dangerous Phase Right Now'

Fresh Air

The Fox News host tells Fresh Air that she worries about Trump's "de-legitimization" of the media. "Too many millions of Americans aren't listening at all to what the press tells them," Kelly says.

Megyn Kelly On Trump And The Media: 'We're In A Dangerous Phase Right Now'

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The Undoing Project

Are You Of Two Minds? Michael Lewis' New Book Explores How We Make Decisions

The Undoing Project tells the story of two Israeli psychologists who made some surprising discoveries about the way people think. According to the Moneyball author, it's all about framing.

Are You Of Two Minds? Michael Lewis' New Book Explores How We Make Decisions

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Today Will Be Different

'Today Will Be Different' Tackles Parenting Fatigue And Middle-Aged Marriage

Fresh Air

Maria Semple's new comic novel is about a stressed-out wife and mother who starts every day with a mantra. She tells Fresh Air's Sam Briger that the book was inspired by her own experiences as a mom.

'Today Will Be Different' Tackles Parenting Fatigue And Middle-Aged Marriage

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How Just 8 Flavors Have Defined American Cuisine

Japanese Chemist Dr. Kikunae Ikeda is credited with discovering MSG — one of the eight ingredients Lohman explores in her book. Peter Van Hyning hide caption

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Peter Van Hyning

The Salt

How Just 8 Flavors Have Defined American Cuisine

In her new book, Sarah Lohman says that even though America is culturally and ethnically diverse, its food is united by a handful of tastes that have permeated the nation's cuisine for centuries.

How Just 8 Flavors Have Defined American Cuisine

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'Red Car' Exposes Unsettling Side To Life's Listlessness

The Red Car, the latest novel by Marcy Dermansky, features a protagonist who's haunted by a former boss. NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Dermansky about the fantastical and dark novel.

'Red Car' Exposes Unsettling Side To Life's Listlessness

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Television

Stepping Into 'Talking As Fast As I Can' Again Is Like Sense Memory For Actor Lauren Graham

Lauren Graham is the fast-talking Lorelei Gilmore, on Gilmore Girls, a role she recently reprised on Netflix. She tells NPR's Ailsa Chang about her memoir, Talking As Fast As I Can.

Stepping Into 'Talking As Fast As I Can' Again Is Like Sense Memory For Actor Lauren Graham

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