Petra Mayer
Stories
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Arts & Life
Michael Nesmith — considerably more than a Monkee — dies at 78
Nesmith rose to fame as one of the Pre-Fab Four — but he had a long and influential career after the Monkees. He helped invent the format that became MTV, and produced the cult film Repo Man.
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Arts & Life
Chuck Close, Creator Of Gigantic Portraits, Has Died At 81
Chuck Close, who was known for his giant photorealist portraits of friends and colleagues in the art world, has died at the age of 81. Late in life, Close faced accusations of sexual harassment.
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Arts & Life
Comic-Con Is Online-Only Again This Year. On The Bright Side, No Lines!
No costumed crowds are thronging the streets of San Diego this weekend — for the second year in a row, Comic-Con is online-only. But organizers are hoping for a small in-person show in November.
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Arts & Life
After Inaugural Performance, Poet Amanda Gorman Tops The Amazon Bestseller List
Gorman's debut poetry collection and an illustrated kids' book are first and second on the list — on the strength of pre-orders, since both titles won't be out until September.
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NPR's Book Concierge Is Back For Another Year Of Reading Recommendations
People looking for holiday gift ideas have a resource: the NPR Book Concierge. The interactive book finder has hundreds of titles selected by NPR critics and staff.
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Marking The Centennial Of Author Ray Bradbury's Birth
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of science-fiction great Ray Bradbury. We examine his legacy and the authors he influenced.
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Books
Orwell's 'Animal Farm,' Around For Decades, Almost Wasn't Published
George Orwell's anti-tyranny fable Animal Farm turns 75 this week. We examine what Orwell was thinking when he wrote it, why it's lasted so long and what we can learn from it today.
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Arts & Life
San Diego Comic-Con Moves Online Due To The Pandemic
Comic-Con began Wednesday. It's virtual this year due to the pandemic. Instead of waiting in endless lines in San Diego, fans will be able to watch panel discussions online.
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Beloved Children's Author And Illustrator Tomie DePaola Dies At 85
Children's author and illustrator Tomie DePaola has died Monday following a fall. Among his classics is the Caldecott winner Strega Nona, which was a tale of a witch, her assistant and a magic pot.
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Arts & Life
'American Dirt' Publisher Cancels Author Tour After Threats
Flatiron Books, publisher of the controversial new novel, has cancelled the remainder of author Jeanine Cummins' book tour after what it called "specific threats" to both the author and booksellers.