Tagged: books

What do Atticus Finch from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Billy Ansell from “The Sweet Hereafter” and Anne from “The Sparrow" have in common? They're three characters that librarian and author Nancy Pearl wishes she could meet in real life! What makes a character leap off the page? Who would you meet if you could? Nancy Pearl joins us to take your calls at 206.543.5869, or you can send an email to weekday@kuow.org.

American history is full of stories of disenfranchised women who assert their rightful role in society and in so doing, open up the culture. Author Julie Otsuka’s family was interned following the bombing of Pearl Harbor; her father was arrested as a potential spy. She told that story in her award-winning first novel, “When the Emperor Was Divine.” Her second novel, “The Buddha in the Attic,” reaches farther back to explore the lives of brides sent from Japan to America between the wars, and the strain of traditional values in a nation that promised opportunity for all. The writer Julie Otsuka joins us.

Journalist Jon Ronson has interviewed a wide array of interesting characters, ranging from the hip-hop duo, Insane Clown Posse, to a man who tried to split the atom in his kitchen. Ronson is the bestselling author of "The Psychopath Test" and "The Men Who Stare at Goats."

Ross talks to him about his new book, "Lost at Sea," where he discusses his journalistic endeavors and demonstrates just how intriguing the human race can be, for example, local vigilante Phoenix Jones.

Thousands of librarians are gathering in Seattle for the annual ALA Midwinter Meeting, and they've got a lot to talk about. Ross Reynolds spoke with ALA President Maureen Sullivan about the future of libraries and how they survive in a digital age.

In his new book author Charles Wheelen makes the claim that statistics can be really interesting, and most of it isn't that difficult. Not convinced? Ross Reynolds lets Charles Wheelen makes his case and tries to get to the fun part of statistical data.