NPR: Lemony Snicket

'A Series Of Unfortunate Events' Is All About Olaf

Glen Weldon — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 01:40:00 -0500

Unlike the 2004 Jim Carrey film, the Netflix series nails the darkly whimsical tone of the children's books on which it's based; Neil Patrick Harris is a big reason for that.

(Image credit: Joe Lederer)

Ring In 'Lemony Snicket' On Netflix With A Series Of Unfortunate Recipes

Kristen Hartke — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 06:30:00 -0500

In the children's books, food is practically a supporting character. So why not welcome the poor Baudelaire orphans with a delightfully miserable repast while binge-watching the new show?

Lisa Lucas Takes The Reins At The National Book Foundation

Colin Dwyer — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 17:26:00 -0500

Guernica magazine, will take over as executive director of the National Book Foundation on March 14.'/>

Lucas is the third executive director in the history of the foundation, which runs the National Book Awards. Her priority? Inclusivity: "Everyone is either a reader or a potential reader," she says.

(Image credit: Beowulf Sheehan)

Book News: Jacqueline Woodson Addresses Lemony Snicket's Watermelon Joke

Colin Dwyer — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:13:00 -0500

"His historical context, unlike my own, came from a place of ignorance," writes the National Book Award-winning Woodson, responding to racially charged comments delivered after she won her prize.

Book News: Note That Helped Put Kerouac 'On The Road' Is Now On The Block

Colin Dwyer — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:56:00 -0500

On the Road, a draft of which is seen here, may never have taken the rambling form it did, had he not seen a letter similarly styled by his friend Neal Cassady.'/>

Once thought lost to a watery grave, Neal Cassady's letter to Jack Kerouac, which inspired On the Road, has resurfaced and will be sold Dec. 17. Also: Daniel Handler delivers on his $110,000 apology.

(Image credit: Bertrand Langlois)

Book News: Netflix To Film Series From Lemony Snicket's 'Unfortunate Events'

Colin Dwyer — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:07:00 -0500

The streaming service reportedly plans to adapt A Series of Unfortunate Events into a TV show. In news of another stream, the Globe Theatre has put dozens of its Shakespeare productions online.

(Image credit: Imeh Akpanudosen)

Book News: Lily King, Roz Chast And Kate Samworth Win Inaugural Kirkus Prize

Colin Dwyer — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:02:00 -0400

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?'/>

Earning honors for fiction, nonfiction and young children's literature, respectively, the writers are the first to win the award. Also: The Bronx's bookstore returns, while the U.K. shows off doodles.

Book News: Slam Poet Maggie Estep Dies

Annalisa Quinn — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 07:41:00 -0500

Also: an interview with a copyeditor; a portrait of Hilary Mantel will be shown in the British Library.

Book News: J.K. Rowling Says She Regrets Matching Ron And Hermione

Annalisa Quinn — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 07:12:00 -0500

Say it Ain't So! Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling now says that beloved characters Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, played by Rupert Grint and Emma Watson (seen in 2011), shouldn't have wound up together.'/>

Also: a new poem by Stephen Burt; Lemony Snicket's prize for librarians; the best books coming out this week.

(Image credit: Adrian Dennis)

Book News: Malala, Girl Shot By Taliban, Calls Books 'Weapons That Defeat Terrorism'

Annalisa Quinn — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 07:02:00 -0400

Also: Lemony Snicket on poetry and playground slides; tiny secret paintings on the sides of books; Lorin Stein on John Hollander.

(Image credit: T. Mughal)