Books

A new book documents the extent to which American prosperity is founded on immigration—and raises questions about how we treat immigrants today.

from Scheer Intelligence

The story of the National Rifle Association involves infighting and backstabbing, million-dollar corruption, and a red-headed Russian spy.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Why does America’s baby formula shortage continue? Also, Norm Eisen’s new book traces corruption from the Trump White House to the rest of the country.

Baby formula crisis reveals dangers of too little competition in US economy

Why does America’s baby formula shortage continue? Also, Norm Eisen’s new book traces corruption from the Trump White House to the rest of the country.

from To the Point

After retiring, former butcher and barge operator Gerald Stratford became a Twitter star by imparting his gardening knowledge online.

Growing viral: Retiree tweets gardening secrets

After retiring, former butcher and barge operator Gerald Stratford became a Twitter star by imparting his gardening knowledge online.

from Good Food

Recipe developer Ali Slagle takes the head-scratching out of making dinner with low-effort, high-reward meals.

Dinner Tetris: Recipe developer Ali Slagle makes low-effort meals

Recipe developer Ali Slagle takes the head-scratching out of making dinner with low-effort, high-reward meals.

from Good Food

Actor Dennis Hopper and his wife, Brooke Hayward, became the nexus of art and film during 1960s LA. They’re the focus of a new book called “Everybody Thought We Were Crazy.”

Dennis Hopper and Brooke Hayward’s marriage and art reflected 1960s LA

Actor Dennis Hopper and his wife, Brooke Hayward, became the nexus of art and film during 1960s LA. They’re the focus of a new book called “Everybody Thought We Were Crazy.”

from Greater LA

Writer and lecturer Susan Cain explores the evolutionary reasons behind sadness in our lives and how accepting sorrow can lead to greater emotional resilience and creativity.

Bittersweet: Susan Cain on the joy of sweet sorrow

Writer and lecturer Susan Cain explores the evolutionary reasons behind sadness in our lives and how accepting sorrow can lead to greater emotional resilience and creativity.

from Life Examined

When Suzanne Barr moved home to care for her ailing mother, it sparked in her an entirely new career path. Comforted by her mother’s culinary lessons, Barr became a chef.

Chef Suzanne Barr finds cooking a comforting second career

When Suzanne Barr moved home to care for her ailing mother, it sparked in her an entirely new career path. Comforted by her mother’s culinary lessons, Barr became a chef.

from Good Food

To understand his cultural history and deepen his culinary passion, Austin-born Rick Martinez moved to Mexico and visited 32 states.

In search of his roots, Rick Martínez discovers flavors of Mexico

To understand his cultural history and deepen his culinary passion, Austin-born Rick Martinez moved to Mexico and visited 32 states.

from Good Food

In her latest novel, Michelle Huneven writes about a search committee at an Altadena Unitarian Universalist Church who seeks a new minister.

Michelle Huneven: ‘Search’

In her latest novel, Michelle Huneven writes about a search committee at an Altadena Unitarian Universalist Church who seeks a new minister.

from Bookworm

Julia Morgan designed California's iconic Hearst Castle, and hundreds of her buildings have survived earthquakes. She’s the focus of a new book by Victoria Kastner.

Love Hearst Castle? Thank trailblazing architect Julia Morgan

Julia Morgan designed California's iconic Hearst Castle, and hundreds of her buildings have survived earthquakes. She’s the focus of a new book by Victoria Kastner.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Scientist Sandra Langeslag explains strategies for overcoming heartbreak. Writer Aimee Lutkin explores singledom and why her identity is so tied to her relationship status.

The psychology of heartbreak and strategies for singledom

Scientist Sandra Langeslag explains strategies for overcoming heartbreak. Writer Aimee Lutkin explores singledom and why her identity is so tied to her relationship status.

from Life Examined

Science writer Florence Williams provides a personal and scientific perspective on heartbreak. She says “it’s like a death, but without the body.”

The anatomy of heartbreak

Science writer Florence Williams provides a personal and scientific perspective on heartbreak. She says “it’s like a death, but without the body.”

from Life Examined

“Love & Saffron” is a new lighthearted novel about two women from different generations, living in different cities, who develop a friendship over food and letter-writing

‘Love & Saffron’: Friendship unfolds in 1960s LA food scene

“Love & Saffron” is a new lighthearted novel about two women from different generations, living in different cities, who develop a friendship over food and letter-writing

from Good Food

The right flour is critical to making bagels at home. One with high protein helps make the bagel’s shell crisp, chewy, and glossy, says cookbook author Cathy Barrow.

5-ingredient bagels for a Mother’s Day breakfast in bed

The right flour is critical to making bagels at home. One with high protein helps make the bagel’s shell crisp, chewy, and glossy, says cookbook author Cathy Barrow.

from Good Food

Books depicting racism, sexuality, and genocide shouldn’t be banned. Educators should be better trained in teaching sensitive literature. That’s according to Sungjoo Yoon.

Op-ed: Book bans are political tools, teachers must be better trained

Books depicting racism, sexuality, and genocide shouldn’t be banned. Educators should be better trained in teaching sensitive literature. That’s according to Sungjoo Yoon.

from Greater LA

Natalia Molina tells the story of Nayarit, her grandmother’s Mexican restaurant, a space that became a cherished hub for immigrants and the LGBTQ community in Echo Park.

Natalia Molina: ‘A Place at the Nayarit: How a Mexican Restaurant Nourished a Community’

Natalia Molina tells the story of Nayarit, her grandmother’s Mexican restaurant, a space that became a cherished hub for immigrants and the LGBTQ community in Echo Park.

from Bookworm

Author and journalist Johann Hari on the forces that are stealing our attention and focus, and what we can do individually and collectively to regain our minds.

Interrupted and distracted: Johann Hari wants you to regain your attention

Author and journalist Johann Hari on the forces that are stealing our attention and focus, and what we can do individually and collectively to regain our minds.

from Life Examined

Editor/poet Emily Skillings and poet/critic John Yau speak about an iconic poet of the 21st century, John Ashbery, and his posthumous book, “Parallel Movement of the Hands: Five…

Emily Skillings and John Yau: John Ashbery’s “Parallel Movement of the Hands: Five Unfinished Longer Works” (Re-air)

Editor/poet Emily Skillings and poet/critic John Yau speak about an iconic poet of the 21st century, John Ashbery, and his posthumous book, “Parallel Movement of the Hands: Five…

from Bookworm

The wok is commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, but Kenji López-Alt says it can be used for all kinds of dishes. His new book is “The Wok: Recipes and Techniques.”

Stir fry should be called toss fry: ‘The Wok’ cookbook author

The wok is commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, but Kenji López-Alt says it can be used for all kinds of dishes. His new book is “The Wok: Recipes and Techniques.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand