Tag Archives: NPR

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Libraries, Love & Relationships, Memories & History, Religion & Spirit

This ‘Jane Eyre’ enthusiast invites you to treat your favorite books as sacred text | NPR

August 27, 20236:00 AM ET, Heard on All Things Considered, By Rachel Martin

https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1195954927/1196251653

Vanessa Zoltan’s memoir is all about how she learned to read literature like sacred texts.
TarcherPerigree/Penguin Random House

It was my mom’s birthday the other day. She died 14 years ago of cancer. She would have been 74 years old.

Every year I scan my bookshelves for her copy of “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” written by Richard Bach in 1972. It’s a story about a seagull who defies the expectations society has put on him and learns to fly high into the heavens to reach his highest potential. It’s not an explicitly religious book, but there are some Christian undertones along with some Buddhist concepts of reincarnation.

I love this book because reading it makes me feel closer to my mom, but each time I read it, I also understand her a little more. And yeah, when I close the book on her birthday, I am also reminded how beautiful it is to fly. I never really thought of that ritual as a sacred practice, but after talking with Vanessa Zoltan, I realized it is.

Treating your favorite books as sacred text : NPR

Source: https://www.npr.org/2023/08/27/1195954927/this-jane-eyre-enthusiast-invites-you-to-treat-your-favorite-books-as-sacred-tex

Current Affairs, Film & Movies, Memories & History, Pleasures, Television

Beloved TV show ‘Lost’ wasn’t immune to industry’s pervasive toxic culture

June 3, 20235:37 PM ET, Heard on All Things Considered
Below is the audio file, transcript on article page.

https://drwebdomain.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230603_atc_oxic_culture_inside_in_hollywood.mp3


From my LOST collection…

ERIC DEGGANS, HOST: Looking at media coverage of Hollywood, especially in recent years, it seems obvious – show business has a problem with behind-the-scenes abuse and harassment. But this week, Maureen Ryan, a contributing editor of Vanity Fair and longtime critic and journalist, surprised TV fans by revealing in the magazine that a classic show beloved for its diverse cast and creativity was actually steeped in incidents of racism, sexism and bullying behavior behind the scenes.

That show was “Lost,” centered on the surreal experiences of a group of people stranded on an island after a plane crash, which won Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody Awards during its six-season run on ABC in the mid-2000s. But according to writers and actors who spoke to Ryan behind the scenes, showrunners Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof created an atmosphere where racism and bullying were tolerated and encouraged on the set.

Ryan’s Vanity Fair article is an excerpt from her upcoming book publishing Tuesday titled, “Burn It Down: Power, Complicity And A Call For Change in Hollywood.” Maureen Ryan joins us now. Welcome to the program.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2023/06/03/1180008736/beloved-tv-show-lost-wasnt-immune-to-industrys-pervasive-toxic-culture

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Libraries, Memories & History, Politics, Science & Health, Web & Technology

The book battle is escalating, with library funds on the line : NPR

May 4, 20235:02 AM ET, Heard on All Things Considered By Tovia Smith

Otter Bowman is one of many library staffers around Missouri scrambling to enact new policies around books selected for young readers. Libraries that don’t comply risk losing state funding.
Anna Huffman/Anna Huffman

The decibel level is climbing as some 20 preschoolers sprawl out on an alphabet-pattern carpet for story hour.

One toddler, who’s new to the group, is having a bit of a meltdown, so Otter Bowman, a library associate at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, Mo., goes for the surest trick she has and starts talking about “Junior,” the library’s bookmobile.

As usual, it gets the kids’ attention and the gaggle settles down so Bowman can begin story hour. “Hello! I’m Ducky Duckling,” she reads. “When I feel happy, I say, ‘Quack! Quack!’ ” The kids cackle and quack back.

Source: The book battle is escalating, with library funds on the line : NPR

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Libraries, Memories & History, Politics, Times They Are A-Changing

Banned and Challenged: Restricting access to books in the U.S. : NPR

A series on books that are facing challenges to their placement in libraries in some areas around the U.S.

Special Series

Banned and Challenged: Restricting access to books in the U.S.

First in series…

Author George M. Johnson: We must ensure access to those who need these stories most

All Boys Aren’t Blue, a memoir for teens and young adults about growing up Black and queer, appeared on many “best books” lists when published in 2020. It’s being challenged in some U.S. counties.

Source: Banned and Challenged: Restricting access to books in the U.S. : NPR

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Games, Pleasures

The hobbies we were really into this year : NPR

December 24, 2022, 8:01 AM E, By Analise Ober and Arielle Retting

Josie Norton for NPR

Joy is a core value at NPR. Something we talk about at our news meetings in seeking out stories, and something we know we need more of than ever.

So this year we launched I’m Really Into, a space to celebrate our unique hobbies and interests.

In this series, our journalists share a hobby that brings them joy, what drew them to it, and what it says about their shared community. We’ve heard from people who found a new passion in the pandemic, as well as people who persevered and continued finding ways to do what they love. We also heard from thousands of readers like you, and we are continuing to share the hobbies that bring you happiness.

Here are some of your favorites, and you can see the full catalog here.

Source: The hobbies we were really into this year : NPR

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Libraries, Memories & History, Pleasures

NPR’s 10th year of Books We Love! offers 400+ new reading recommendations : NPR

Posted November 22, 2022; Washington, D.C. – Books We Love!

NPR’s Books We Love! is back for a 10th year.
NPR

NPR’s biannual, interactive reading guide – is back for its 10th year with 400+ books published in 2022!

Mix and match tags including “Book Club Ideas,” “Eye-Opening Reads,” and “Kids’ Books” to browse titles hand-picked by NPR staff and trusted critics.

Click back through a decade of recommendations to find more than 3,200 books – we’ve got your next favorite read and something for every person on your holiday shopping list. Discover the books that comforted, challenged, and captivated us this year.

READ BOOKS WE LOVE HERE.

“There were so many great books published this year, and we’re excited to once again bring readers recommendations from our staff and freelance critics,” said Meghan Collins Sullivan, NPR’s senior books and culture editor. “This guide pulls together all of our favorite books from 2022, from a group with many varying individual interests, so readers are bound to find something that they love, too.”

This year’s recommendations come from employees across NPR including Ari Shapiro, Ayesha Rascoe, Bob Mondello, Elise Hu, Eric Deggans, Juana Summers and more. Books are featured along with links to coverage from NPR and NPR member stations.

Happy reading!

Source: NPR’s 10th year of Books We Love! offers 400+ new reading recommendations : NPR