NPR: Lynn Neary

How Ellen DeGeneres Helped Change The Conversation About Gays

NPR: Lynn Neary — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:55:00 +0000

In 2008, during the brief window when it was legal for same-sex couples to get married in California, perhaps no couple drew more attention than Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.

After their wedding, photos of the couple were everywhere; DeGeneres, beaming, in a white suit and holding hands with de Rossi, the very picture of the princess bride so many young girls dream of being one day.

'Wave' Tells A True Story Of Survival And Loss In The 2004 Tsunami

NPR: Lynn Neary — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:40:00 +0000

On Dec. 26, 2004, Sonali Deraniyagala was vacationing with her husband, her two sons and her parents in Yala, Sri Lanka. The day was just beginning when she and a friend noticed that something strange was happening in the ocean. Within a matter of minutes, the sea had wiped out life as she had known it. In a new memoir, called simply Wave, she recalls her experience with the tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people, including her own family.

Today, Deraniyagala lives in New York.

E-Readers Track How We Read, But Is The Data Useful To Authors?

NPR: Lynn Neary — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:09:00 +0000

Reading always seemed to be the most private of acts: just you and your imagination immersed in another world. But now, if you happen to be curled up with an e-reader, you're not alone.

Data is being collected about your reading habits. That information belongs to the companies that sell e-readers, like Amazon or Barnes & Noble. And they can share — or sell — that information if they like. One official at Barnes & Noble has said sharing that data with publishers might "help authors create even better books."

The data is also, of course, a brilliant marketing tool.

'Fifty Shades' Is The One That Got Away. At Least From Me

NPR: Lynn Neary — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:18:00 +0000

Sometimes "the one that got away" is a book that was easy to overlook. A little gem of a first novel, or a memoir by an unknown writer that unexpectedly captured everyone's imagination.

But sometimes, it's the elephant in the room that you just haven't looked at yet. Everyone knows about it. It's one of the biggest sellers of all time. It's a cultural phenomenon — it's Fifty Shades of Grey. And I ignored it until I couldn't anymore.

It wasn't just that you couldn't go anywhere without hearing about it. Nor was it the record-breaking sales.

Self-Publishing: No Longer Just A Vanity Project

NPR: Lynn Neary — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:49:00 +0000

They used to call it the "vanity press," and the phrase itself spoke volumes. Self-published authors were considered not good enough to get a real publishing contract. They had to pay to see their book in print. But with the advent of e-books, self-publishing has exploded, and a handful of writers have had huge best-sellers.

TV blogger Alan Sepinwall's self-published book, The Revolution Was Televised, came out just before Thanksgiving.

Oprah's Second Pick: A First Time Novelist

NPR: Lynn Neary — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:18:00 +0000

Earlier this year, Oprah Winfrey announced an updated version of her popular book club, this time called Book Club 2.0. Her first pick, Cheryl Strayed's memoir Wild, experienced best-seller list success thanks to what some people are calling the "Oprah bump." And last week Winfrey announced her second pick, a novel called The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis, a first-time author.

Mathis was on vacation in Paris when she picked up the phone — and Winfrey was on the other end of the line. "I think I said, 'no it isn't,' " Mathis says.

'Round House' Wins National Book Award For Fiction

NPR: Lynn Neary — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:08:00 +0000

The National Book Awards announced Wednesday night honored both longtime writers and new authors, from Louise Erdrich who won for her novel The Round House to Katherine Boo, who was honored for her debut nonfiction work, Behind the Beautiful Forevers.

Erdrich has been a highly regarded author for nearly 30 years. She'd been a finalist twice before but said being honored is "all the more meaningful when you're older ...

'Testament Of Mary' Gives Fiery Voice To The Virgin

NPR: Lynn Neary — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:44:00 +0000

The Virgin Mary is one of the most familiar icons of Christianity. For centuries, artists have depicted her on everything from backyard statues of a rosy-cheeked innocent to paintings of magnificent Madonnas hanging in museums all over the world. But few writers have taken up her story or tried to create their own version of the events of her life.

Now, Irish writer Colm Toibin does just that.

Put Down Your E-Reader: This Book's Better In Print

NPR: Lynn Neary — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Most people who read a lot have gotten used to reading on a screen, whether it's a laptop, a tablet or an e-reader. Some say they prefer it to the experience of reading a heavy, awkward print version of the book. But every now and then, a book comes along that just seems to insist on being physical — something about it simply can't be transferred to the screen.

Gillian Cross' new retelling of Homer's The Odyssey is aimed at kids 8 and up, and like many children's books, it's brightly colored and beautifully illustrated.

Same Streets, Different Lives In 'NW' London

NPR: Lynn Neary — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 07:49:00 +0000

Writer Zadie Smith burst onto the literary scene with her first novel White Teeth more than a decade ago. Set in the Northwest London neighborhood where she grew up, White Teeth captured the diverse, vibrant rhythms of a city in transition. Smith returns to the neighborhood in her new novel, NW, but this is a sobering homecoming.

Smith's mischievous sense of humor is still on full display in NW as is her playful love of language. But this is an older, perhaps wiser, writer than the young woman who dazzled readers with her first book.

'Age Of Desire': How Wharton Lost Her 'Innocence'

NPR: Lynn Neary — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Jennie Fields was well into her new novel about Edith Wharton — and her love affair with a young journalist — when she heard that a new cache of Wharton letters had been discovered. They were written to Anna Bahlmann, who was first Wharton's governess and later her literary secretary. Bahlmann had never been considered a major influence on Wharton, but Fields had decided to make her a central character in her book, The Age of Desire, even before she heard about the letters.

The St. Cuthbert Gospel: Looking Pretty Good At 1300

NPR: Lynn Neary — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:25:00 +0000

How much would you pay for a very rare book?

The British Library in London has just paid about $14 million to purchase Europe's oldest intact book, known as the St. Cuthbert Gospel. It's a copy of the Gospel of St. John, thought to have been produced in northeastern England sometime during the seventh century.

Claire Breay is the curator of medieval and early modern manuscripts at the British Library. She says the book's beautifully decorated red leather cover is a wonderful example of Anglo-Saxon leather work, and the inside is astonishingly well-preserved.

NBA Playoff Preview

NPR: Lynn Neary — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:42:00 +0000

There is one more week left in the lockout-shortened, action-packed NBA regular season. Chicago, Miami and Oklahoma City head toward the finals with strong records — as do the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

Syrian Ceasefire Is Increasingly Under Threat

NPR: Lynn Neary — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:13:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

LYNN NEARY, HOST:

And I'm Lynn Neary. Renee Montagne is on assignment.

In Syria, a ceasefire that's part of an U.N.-Arab League peace plan is unraveling, just six days after it got underway. Once again, dozens of people are dying each day, as the Syrian military pounds the cities and towns that have most fiercely resisted the government, and opposition rebels are fighting back.

NPR's Kelly McEvers is monitoring the story from nearby Beirut. She joins us now.

Crisis Between Sudan, South Sudan Intensifies

NPR: Lynn Neary — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:09:00 +0000

The crisis between Sudan and South Sudan is heating up, with the north branding its recently-independent southern neighbor "the enemy." This follows two weeks of bitter fighting in the disputed, oil-producing border area between the two Sudans.

Egypt's Election Commission Disqualifies 10 Presidential Candidates

NPR: Lynn Neary — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

The Egyptian elections were thrown an unexpected curve when 10 presidential candidates were disqualified from the ballot. They include hopefuls from the Muslim Brotherhood and the old guard.

'The Lifeboat': Who Gets Saved In Titanic Times?

NPR: Lynn Neary — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Transcript

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

Now, a piece of fiction inspired by the Titanic's fateful voyage. In the weeks leading up to the anniversary of the famous shipwreck, a cluster of books have been released looking back on the voyage. But the book that caught the eye of NPR's Lynn Neary is invented. It's the story of a fictional shipwreck that occurred two years after the Titanic. It's called "Lifeboat." Here's her report.

LYNN NEARY, BYLINE: When writer Charlotte Rogan was growing up, here family had a sailboat.

Justice Department Sues In E-Book Price-Fixing Case

NPR: Lynn Neary — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The publishing business is still trying to absorb the news that the Justice Department is suing Apple and publishers for price fixing in the e-book market. Three publishers - Simon and Shuster, Harper Collins and Hachette - decided to settle the suit. But Apple, along with the companies Macmillan and Penguin, plan to fight the allegations. Here's NPR's Lynn Neary.

LYNN NEARY, BYLINE: The case goes back to Apple's introduction of the iPad.

Jodi Picoult Turns Tough Topics Into Bestsellers

NPR: Lynn Neary — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:01:00 +0000

When you think about blockbuster best-sellers, genres like mystery, crime and romance typically come to mind. Ethical or moral fiction? Not so much. But that's how Jodi Picoult, who has 33 million copies of her books currently in circulation, describes her novels. So how did an author who writes about divisive issues get so popular?

The answer can, in part, be found at a recent event at Philadelphia's Free Library, where Picoult promoted her latest book, Lone Wolf. Picoult got members of the audience to howl — literally howl — like wolf pack.

Spurred By Success, Publishers Look For The Next 'Hunger Games'

NPR: Lynn Neary — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:59:00 +0000

The film version of the young adult book sensation The Hunger Games opens March 23rd. The hype around the movie has sent the sales of the already best-selling trilogy to new heights. And publishers are eagerly churning out more books set in post apocalyptic dystopian worlds — just like The Hunger Games.

In the beginning, The Hunger Games was not considered a sure thing. Why would it be? It's the story of a world where teenagers are forced to fight each other to the death in a game that is broadcast and watched everywhere like a reality TV show.

E-Books Flipping The Page On Publishing Standards

NPR: Lynn Neary — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:38:00 +0000

The publishing business is not known as a hot bed of experimentation and has been slow to embrace the transition from print to e-books. But this past week in New York, the Tools of Change digital publishing conference attracted entrepreneurs and innovators who are more excited by, rather than afraid, of the future.

It was the kind of crowd where some were more inclined to say "steal my book" than to argue over what an e-book should cost.

Publishers And Booksellers See A 'Predatory' Amazon

NPR: Lynn Neary — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Booksellers and publishers are worried that Amazon is going to devour their industry. The giant online retailer seems to have its hands in all aspects of the business, from publishing books to selling them — and that has some in the book world wondering if there is any end to Amazon's influence.

Publishers have a problem when it comes to discussing Amazon: They may fear its power, but they are also dependent on it, because like it or not, Amazon sells a lot of books.

Tourtiere: A French-Canadian Twist On Christmas Pie

NPR: Lynn Neary — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:02:00 +0000

If you happen to spend Christmas Eve in Canada — especially Québec — you might lucky enough to be invited to a festive dinner after midnight mass. The feast is an old tradition from France called revellion, and it's something to look forward to after a long day of fasting.

"They'll have a huge feast, with sweets and lobster and oysters, everything," says Thomas Naylor, executive chef to the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. "But, in Quebec at least, you'll always have tourtière.

2011 National Book Award Winners Announced

NPR: Lynn Neary — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Stephen Greenblatt's "The Swerve," a dramatic account of the Renaissance-era rediscovery of the Latin poet Lucretius, won for nonfiction. "Salvage the Bones," set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, by Jesmyn Ward, won for fiction.

Real 'Sybil' Admits Multiple Personalities Were Fake

NPR: Lynn Neary — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:01:00 +0000

When Sybil first came out in 1973, not only did it shoot to the top of the best-seller lists — it manufactured a psychiatric phenomenon. The book was billed as the true story of woman who suffered from multiple personality disorder. Within a few years of its publication, reported cases of multiple personality disorder — now known as dissociative identity disorder — leapt from fewer than 100 to thousands.

'Catch-22': A Paradox Turns 50 And Still Rings True

NPR: Lynn Neary — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Fifty years ago, a new phrase began to make its way into American conversations: Catch-22. Joseph Heller's irreverent World War II novel — named for the now-famous paradox — was published on Oct. 11, 1961. His take on war meshed perfectly with the anti-authoritarian generation that came of age in the 1960s. And now, a half-century later, the predicament of a no-win trap still resonates with a new crop of young people distrustful of their elders.

In August 1944, Heller flew on a mission over the French town of Avignon.

Steve Jobs Left His Mark On Pixar

NPR: Lynn Neary — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:56:00 +0000

Pixar computer-generated animation kicked off a renaissance in animated films — including blockbusters Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Wall-E. After Steve Jobs left Appple in 1985, he bought Pixar from George Lucas. In 2006, Jobs sold Pixar to Disney.

2011 Nobel Prize In Physics

NPR: Lynn Neary — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Three U.S.-born scientists won the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for their studies of exploding stars that revealed that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. The three will share $1.5 million.

Nobel Prize News

NPR: Lynn Neary — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0000

The Nobel Prize for medicine or physiology is announced today in Stockholm. Lynn Neary talks to NPR's Jon Hamilton about the winner.

'Wonderstruck': A Novel Approach To Picture Books

NPR: Lynn Neary — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:01:00 +0000

It's not often that a writer can illustrate his own books, but Brian Selznick is that rare find. He began his career as an artist collaborating with authors on children's books.