The Writers' Block | Feb 08, 2012

Blueprints of the Afterlife

Ryan Boudinot reads a passage from Blueprints of the Afterlife about the aftermath of a sentient glacier wiping out most of North America. By Ryan Boudinot   



Event | Feb 03, 2012

Come and Get These Memories: Daniel Handler Gathers Evidence in 'Why We Broke Up'

With Valentine's Day lurking around the corner, lonely hearts might be particularly pleased with the latest book, arty-angsty sturm und drang teen novel, by Daniel Handler, AKA Lemony Snicket. By Erika Milvy   

The Writers' Block | Feb 01, 2012

The Fallback Plan

Leigh Stein reads a passage from her debut novel, The Fallback Plan, about what happens when you graduate college without a fallback plan and are forced to move back in with your parents. By Leigh Stein   



NPR Film | Jan 27, 2012

A 'Man On A Ledge,' With No Room For A Stumble

A convicted ex-cop with a hidden agenda (Sam Worthington) steps out onto a Manhattan high-rise ledge. Critic Andrew Lapin says the film's intriguing premise and daring visuals devolve into generic heist-movie silliness. By Andrew Lapin   

The Writers' Block | Jan 25, 2012

The Last Nude

Ellis Avery reads a passage from The Last Nude, her new novel about an artist and her most famous muse in Paris between the World Wars. By Ellis Avery   



The Writers' Block | Jan 18, 2012

The Tiger's Wife

Tea Obreht, one of The New Yorker's best American writers under forty, reads a passage from her debut novel, The Tiger's Wife. By Tea Obreht   



The Writers' Block | Jan 11, 2012

Damascus

Joshua Mohr reads a passage from Damascus, his latest novel about a man whose birthmark unfortunately resembles a Hitler mustache. By Joshua Mohr   



Event | Jan 09, 2012

The Fiction of North Korea in Adam Johnson's 'The Orphan Master's Son'

Set in Kim Jong Il's North Korea, Adam Johnson's new novel examines the culture of a communist state through the eyes of its own citizens. The result is a rare example of what the nation lacks: unofficial fiction. By Evan Karp   

Literature | Jan 04, 2012

Q+A with Ismet Prcic

Ismet Prcic, the author behind Shards, talks about escaping his war-torn homeland, the In Living Color character he would like to dine with, and much more. By Emmanuel Hapsis   

NPR Books | Dec 31, 2011

Truth And Beauty: 2011's Best American Poetry

Critic David Orr surveys the "jumbled landscape" of American poetry to select his favorite collections of the year: five books that will alternately comfort and challenge you. By David Orr   

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Author Interviews
  • Wael Ghonim: Creating A 'Revolution 2.0' In Egypt

    The protests that led to the Egyptian revolution last year were organized in part by Wael Ghonim, who use an anonymous Facebook page to coordinate the demonstrations. Ghonim explains how social media helped transform Egypt in Revolution 2.0.

  • Finding 'Life, Death And Hope' In A Mumbai Slum

    Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Katherine Boo spent more than three years in Mumbai's Annawadi slum. In her new book, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, she profiles people living in extreme poverty — right in the shadow of luxury hotels.

  • Donald Hall: A Poet's View 'Out The Window'

    The 83-year-old former poet laureate reflects on how life has changed as he's grown older. "My body causes me trouble when I cross the room, but when I am sitting down writing, I am in my heaven — my old heaven," he says.

  • Ancient Roman Text Offers Tips On Winning Elections

    Robert Siegel talks with Classics professor Philip Freeman about his translation of the book, "How to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians." The book was written by the brother of Marcus Cicero, for when Marcus ran for office in Rome in 64 B.C. But the ancient Roman guide for campaigning still holds lessons for today's elections.

Also on KQED.org this week ...

Fishbone
Black History Month

KQED celebrates with special programming in February and honors four local unsung heroes.

MASH
Noise Pop: Comedy and Music

Listen to this week's podcast exploring the relationship between music and comedy with guests Shawn Robbing and Ivan Hernandez.