books

Why The Color Pink Calms Prison Inmates With Adam Alter

Rachel Solomon — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:05:25 +0000

Coming up on Speakers Forum, May 23 at 8:00 p.m.

Pepto-Bismol pink is a color sometimes used in prisons to calm inmates. People with names that start with K are more likely to donate to victims of Hurricane Katrina than Hurricane Rita. Professional cyclists pedal faster when people are watching.

A variety of external factors influence our thoughts, feelings, and decisions, says Adam Alter, a professor of psychology at NYU and the author of “Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave.”

He spoke about the degree to which our environment shapes who we are at Seattle’s Town Hall on April 2, 2013.

Monica Wesolowska Discusses "Holding Silvan"

the conversation with ross reynolds — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:43:26 +0000

When Monica Wesolowska’s newborn child wouldn’t stop crying, he was taken in for observation. Soon Wesolowska and her husband had to make a tough decision about their son’s life. She shares her experiences and insight with David Hyde.

Liberia: America's Original Self-Deportation Scheme

Producer — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:29:13 +0000

In the decades leading up to the civil war, white Americans uncomfortable with the rising numbers of free blacks came up with a plan. Get rid of them. Specifically, convince them to resettle in Liberia. It was America's original "self-deportation" scheme. But things didn't go exactly according to plan.

List of stories from KUOW Presents, May 15:

The Elements Of Cooking With Michael Pollan

The Conversation with Ross Reynolds — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:18:38 +0000

Fire, air, water and earth; or as author Michael Pollan experienced it: barbeque, bread, braise and beer. In his latest book, “Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation,” Pollan challenges himself to master the basic technologies that have allowed people to turn raw into cooked.

The impetus of his journey was to highlight the possibility and importance of mastering the preparation of personal meals. His book explores the cultural shift of food responsibility from the home to corporation via packaged or prepared foods, and how this directly correlates with the rise in American obesity issues.

The Promise And Perils Of Interfaith Marriage

Rachel Solomon — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:07:50 +0000

She wanted their daughter to get a nice Catholic education. He wanted to send her to learn about Scientology on a cruise ship. Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise are a very public example of interfaith marriage, but they represent some trends Naomi Schaefer Riley discusses in her new book, “’Til Faith Do Us Part: How Interfaith Marriage is Transforming America.”

Most notably, 45 percent of marriages in the United States are between people of different religions — and these unions can often lead to unhappiness. By conducting interviews with married (and divorced) couples, Riley explores why interfaith couples tend to be less happy than others and why certain combinations are more likely to lead to failed marriages. She spoke at Seattle’s Town Hall on April 10, 2013.

Stephen Apkon On Navigating "The Age Of The Image"

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:08:40 +0000

Stephen Apkon says we live in a world of images but do not have the visual literacy to understand them. His new book is "The Age of the Image: Redefining Literacy in a World of Screens." KUOW's Ross Reynolds chats with Stephen Apkon.

Nancy Pearl's Memoir Recommendations

Weekday — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:11:29 +0000

If you are looking for a good memoir to read, here are a few of Nancy Pearl’s suggestions.

"A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana," by Haven Kimmel

"Cakewalk: A Memoir," by Kate Moses

"The World’s Strongest Librarian," by Josh Hanagarne

"Between Terror and Tourism," by Michael Mewshaw

"Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Capetown," by Paul Theroux

"Stop-Time," by Frank Conroy

"Mountain City," by Gregory Martin

"Going Back to Bisbee," by Richard Shelton

Nancy Pearl On Memoirs And This Week In Olympia

Weekday — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

This Week In Olympia
The special session of the Washington state legislature kicks off next week. Everett Herald columnist Jerry Cornfield tells us what sticking points remain as legislators prepare to get back to business.

Nancy Pearl On Memoirs

The Seattle Public Library picked a memoir for their city-wide reading program this year. What makes a good memoir? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the genre? Book commentator Nancy Pearl, muses about memoirs and takes your calls at 800.289.5869. You can also write to us at weekday@kuow.org.

Seattle Reads Gregory Martin, And Comics On The Radio

Weekday With Steve Scher — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Seattle Reads: Gregory Martin
What would you do if you found out that your 65-year-old father had attempted suicide? Or that he’d been sexually abused by his own father? Or that he’d been a closeted gay man throughout 39 years of marriage? Gregory Martin learned all this one evening, and it changed his relationship with his parents. Martin chronicles his experiences in the memoir "Stories for Boys," this year’s Seattle Reads book.

Radio Retrospective: Comics On The Radio
We’re familiar with comics being adapted to the big screen. But you might not know that comic strip adaptations aren’t new. Comics were also adapted into radio dramas. There’s Blondie, Archie Andrews, and Superman, and that’s just the beginning. Listen back to the comics strips of the radio.

A Lunch Recommendation
Food writer Sara Dickerman joins us with a lunch recommendation. Prefer to cook for yourself? She also has a pick for a great cookbook!

A Win For Sacramento, The Special Session, And "The Night Detectives"

Weekday With Steve Scher — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

NBA Says No To Seattle
The NBA has thrown cold water on Chris Hansen’s plans to bring the Sonics back to Seattle. The league’s relocation committee voted unanimously to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Art Thiel writes that Seattle can be to the NBA what Los Angeles is to NFL. Seattle still waits at the altar for an expansion team.

Jon Talton: Not Just An Economics Columnist
Jon Talton frequently analyzes business in the Pacific Northwest on Weekday, but he’s not just an economics columnist. He’s also a mystery writer. "The Night Detectives" is his 10th novel. It takes us from the familiar haunts of Phoenix to the seedy side of San Diego with his main character, David Mapstone.

Jay Inlsee’s Bottom Line
Governor Jay Inlsee says his bottom line is ending tax breaks and adding new tax revenue to the state budget. He will get that chance to draw that line in the special legislative session he has called for in two weeks.

The Weather And Hike Of The Week
Michael Fagin suggests a hike that matches the week’s weather forecast.