40 years later, ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ is still helping readers see themselves
Ann M. Martin’s beloved series has influenced generations of readers. We’re still asking: Which babysitter are you?
14 new books in September to help ease you into fall
Three Pulitzer winners, a Booker Prize winner, two Booker longlisted authors this year, and a number whose works have been adapted for the screen are among the authors with new books out this month.
Beloved writer and environmentalist Wendell Berry has died at age 92
Wendell Berry has died at age 92 He was a beloved American poet, novelist, essayist, and farmer.
Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There’s a ‘Time Tax’ on Americans who need help most
Annie Lowrey explores the administrative burdens people face applying for government benefits. It’s not just about wasted time: “When the government treats us like this, we don’t trust it,” she says.
‘Life of M’ constructs a portrait of how stardom hides a person’s core
Like much of Rachel Cusk’s work, Life of M is driven by her concern with conditions that impede self-definition — for writers, artists, and women in particular.
Squeeze in one last summer read: Here are 3 suspense thrillers to choose from
If you’re looking for an end-of-summer escape you can’t go wrong with The Intrigue, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Under the Falls, by Richard Russo, or The Blue Flame, by George Pelecanos.
Books can teach you to love yourself. If you let them.
How do you convince people to read more novels? You could ask author Jason Reynolds for a start. The acclaimed author of young adult novels, Look Both Ways, Long Way Down, and Ghost joins host Brittany Luse to discuss the lessons in empathy, friendship and hope that novels can inspire in all readers. He says, “In one book, everybody can change. In 300 pages, every character that you’ve met has become a new character by the end, and so what might you do in thirty days, let alone thirty years? ” What’s the last book that changed you? Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
In which ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ turns 100
In 1926, author A.A. Milne and illustrator Ernest H. Shepard published Winnie-the-Pooh. Now, a new kids’ book — How a Bear Became a Book — celebrates their collaboration.
1970s classics you should listen to and read now
We’re traveling way back in time to 1971 — when Richard Nixon was president, the Beatles were newly broken up, and Fiddler on the Roof was one of the biggest movies at the box office. Today in this encore episode, we’re revisiting a special edition of What’s Making Us Happy, recommending pop culture from the 1970s – including Isaac Hayes’ Shaft soundtrack, Carol King’s Tapestry, Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, and The Monster at the End of This Book.Looking for more pop culture from the past? Check out these episodes:The American dream according to ‘The Wire,’ ‘Apollo 13’ and more‘Jaws’ is still stuck in our teeth, 50 years later’Shrek’ – a weird, flatulent and beloved franchise – turns 25Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour:Letterboxd / FacebookOur weekly newsletterSupport public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
In ‘Etna,’ a canine narrator delivers a poignant anti-war message
Paul Yoon’s new novel follows a dog conscripted into an unnamed war in an unnamed country. From the very first page, Etna’s voice is somber and poetic in its simplicity.