Bonnie Kistler's psychological thriller follows high school sweethearts, reunited NPR's Scott Simon speaks with novelist Bonnie Kistler about her new psychological thriller, "Shell Games." Scott Simon
Arts & Life Remembering novelist Dorothy Allison, author of 'Bastard Out of Carolina' Allison, who died Nov. 6, based her critically acclaimed novel on her own experience of being physically and sexually abused by her stepfather. Originally broadcast in 1992. Terry Gross
Arts & Life Richard Price explores second chances, and rising from the rubble in 'Lazarus Man' In Price's novel, a Harlem apartment building collapses, upending the lives of its residents, including a photographer, a funeral director and a 42-year-old man who feels he has little to live for. Terry Gross
Space becomes mundane in Samantha Harvey's award-winning novel 'Orbital' NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with author Samantha Harvey about her new book Orbital, which examines the fascinating mundane-ness of outer space from the perspective of an international space station. Ari Shapiro
Arts & Life How the 1874 Freedman's Bank collapse connects to economic disparities we see today In Savings and Trust, historian Justene Hill Edwards tells the story of the Freedman's Bank. Created for formerly enslaved people following the Civil War, its collapse cost depositors millions. Tonya Mosley
Arts & Life Al Pacino says he almost turned down 'The Godfather Part II' Pacino says the initial script for the Godfather sequel was so bad he nearly passed on the project — until it was rewritten. The Oscar-winning actor looks back on his life in the memoir Sonny Boy. Terry Gross
Mike Thomas on co-writing a new Johnny Carson biography NPR's Scott Simon interviews Mike Thomas about the new Johnny Carson biography, "Carson the Magnificent," co-written by Bill Zehme. Scott Simon
Arts & Life Undone by the loss of his brother Eddie, Alex Van Halen looks back in a new memoir Though Alex had been the guitarist in the family, when they formed Van Halen, it quickly became clear who would play: "[Ed] made that instrument sing." Alex's new memoir is Brothers. Tonya Mosley
Arts & Life How culture wars divided one small progressive church in Philadelphia Journalist Eliza Griswold says complaints about homophobia, white privilege and diversity are splintering progressive organizations — including one particular church. Her book is Circle of Hope. Terry Gross
A new book charts the history of horror from the Salem Witch Trials to Stephen King NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Columbia University professor Jeremy Dauber about his new book, "American Scary: A History of Horror from Salem to Stephen King and Beyond." Ryan Benk Ayesha Rascoe Matthew Schuerman