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Sure, we may still see some frosty nights, but the days have lengthened and the end of the school season is within sight. When I was growing up–regardless of where I spent the summer months–reading was a big part of my vacation. I...
We know the cliches: “Home is where the heart is;” “Home is where when you knock at the door, they have to let you in;” “Home is a haven in a heartless world;” and so on.  These platitudes might express a deep truth for some of us, but,...
One of the hottest books in America right now is F. Scott Fizgerald’s The Great Gatsby, which at its heart is the tale of a self-made man’s obsession with a larger-than-life woman, Daisy Buchanan. It’s a fantastic book, with all...
An unscheduled press conference with President Obama pre-empted broadcast of our Readers & Writers conversation with Terry Tempest Williams. Online audio of the conversation in now available. Terry Tempest Williams will be our guest Tuesday,...
Tuesday, April 23, 4-5 pm, a first for the NCPR book club: a live broadcast from the library at Fort Drum with Siobhan Fallon, the author of the short story collection, “You Know When the Men Are Gone.” Audio archive of our conversation...


Books and Authors
May 22, 2013 — After years trying to conceive, novelist Jennifer Gilmore and her husband decided to adopt. What they thought would be a relatively simple process was instead a long and painful one. In her latest novel, Gilmore channels these autobiographical experiences into fiction.
May 22, 2013 — Also: shameless book blurbs; new plays from Ayad Ahktar; and a first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone draws a record price at auction.
May 22, 2013 — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's latest, Americanah, follows the trials and tribulations of Ifemelu, a middle-class Nigerian immigrant to America. Reviewer Jennifer Reese calls Americanah a "rich and gloriously detailed tapestry ... hung on the sturdy scaffolding of a sweet love story."

Special Features

Country Schoolhouse
Audio Play:
No Bigger Than a Piano Box: a North Country Schoolhouse in 1893
By historian Betsy Kepes. Based on the 1893 diary of a North Country schoolteacher. A Women's History Month special. Teacher's guide and CD available.
Irving Bachellor
Audio Novella:
A Franklin Manor Christmas
Paul Willcott of Saranac Lake reads his original Adirondack holiday story set in a down-at-heels former cure cottage and monastery occupied by a lonesome ex-professor.

Paper AnniversaryReaders & Writers Book Club

The R&W Book Club is a place for us to talk about books—with each other and, from time to time, with the authors of featured titles. We’ll read fiction, non-fiction and poetry. We encourage your suggestions for authors and books to include.

Other Literature Features:

Readers & Writers Our monthly conversation on contemporary literature
Recent Books Recent regional books received at NCPR
Sarah Cohen, store manager Mike Wilcox, and Linda Cohen
Sarah Cohen, store manager Mike Wilcox, and Linda Cohen

New Book Offers Glimpse Into Old Forge's History

In the late 1890's Moses Cohen arrived in the west central Adirondacks with a peddler's pack, and in 1900 opened a hardware store in Old Forge at the foot of the Fulton Chain of Lakes. It's become a centerpiece in the village and is known as the Adirondacks' Most General Store. Today, Cohen's granddaughters, Linda and Sarah own the store. The Cohen sisters, along with Town of Webb Historian Peg Masters are the authors of a new book that pays tribute to the early pioneers and entrepreneurs of Old Forge. They combined their talents in history, local lore and museum administration, and poured through thousands of historic postcards to put together a pictoral history of the Old Forge lake region. Todd Moe caught up with the Cohens during a visit to Old Forge Hardware for a chat about the store and their new book.  Go to full article
The Shoebox, a classic Adirondack swimming hole

A Swimming Hole Connoisseur Explores The Adirondacks

The North Country is famous for its pristine lakes and stunning rivers. A new guidebook is showcasing some of the best places to swim--from the Adirondacks to the Green Mountains. Brian Mann joined the book's author for a trek along the Boquet River, in search of the perfect swimming hole.

Directions to "The Shoebox": Travel north on State Route 73 from the intersection with US 9 North. Go 1.4 miles to the bridge over the Boquet River. Park carefully on pull-out. Follow trail west along river. (Courtesy of Pancho Doll)  Go to full article

Readers & Writers Summer Reading Call-in

Readers and Writers on the Air's Ellen Rocco is joined by co-host Chris Robinson and guest Lenny Golay of Manhattan's famed Corner Bookstore to talk with callers about their favorite summer reading for 2003.  Go to full article

A Gardener's Guide to Frost

If you garden in the North Country, you've got a personal relationship with frost. It marks the beginning and the end of the season, but there are ways around those...  Go to full article

Readers & Writers on the Air: Leanne Howe

In a special edition of our call-in on contemporary literature, the guest is Leanne Howe, author of Shell Shaker, a novel of Chocktaw women that ranges from the 18th...  Go to full article

Readers & Writers on the Air: Jane Hamilton

The guest for our call-in on contemporary literature is Jane Hamilton. A leading fiction voice of the past decade, her work includes The Book of Ruth, A Map of the...  Go to full article

Book: The Pearl of Kuwait

With another war between the U.S. and Iraq, Vermont writer Tom Paine's The Pearl of Kuwait is especially relevant. It's a surreal, comic look at star-crossed lovers...  Go to full article

Readers & Writers on the Air: Alan Cheuse

In this edition of our call-in on contemporary literature, the guest is Alan Cheuse. In addition to being NPR's book reviewer, heard regularly on All Things...  Go to full article

Vermont Bookseller Nervous About Threat of 'Patriot Act' Searches

Afraid of 'Patriot Act' searches, a Vermont bookseller is deleting the names of books on its reader's club list.  Go to full article

Readers & Writers on the Air Call-in on Contemporary Literature: Ihsan Abdul-Rahiim

Hosts Chris Robinson, Margaret Bass and listeners talk with Ihsan Abdul-Rahiim, a poet, fiction writer and playwright. He is the author of ibo landing, an offering of...  Go to full article

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