Books

Looking for something to liven up your bookshelf? Friday on Up to Date, the Book Doctors tell us about some worthwhile reads.

People always ask artists “Where do you get your ideas?” Only the honest ones will answer, “I steal them."

Lionel Shriver's new novel, called The New Republic, is actually an old manuscript with a star-crossed history. As Shriver explains in a prefatory note, this satire on (among other things) terrorism was finished in 1998, but, back then, publishers weren't interested. That was five years before Shriver's break-through novel, We Need to Talk About Kevin. Then, Sept. 11 happened: sincerity was in; irony was out. Publishers wouldn't touch this story that offered an ironic take on violent extremism.

They are the third of the population who prefer to listen instead of speak, read instead of party, work alone instead of in a group.

He was a man who knew pain, admired courage and hated boredom.

Next week marks the return of the Reading Reptile’s annual literature festival, the DNA LitFest. Six children’s authors and illustrators travel to Kansas City to discuss the creative process and storytelling.

The construction of the U.S. Capitol began with a building plan adopted in 1793.  Its history of being built, burnt, rebuilt & extended meant its completion came at the most crucial point in our nation’s development: the Civil War.