Discussing the book "Blue highways: a journey into America" with William Least Heat Moon.

Author Madeleine L'Engle discusses her novel "A Severed Wasp," about a retired concert pianist (Katherine Forrester, who appeared in L'Engle's first novel, "The Small Rain") who puts on a benefit concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine at the request of her old friend, Felix Bodeway. Like Katherine, L'Engle is a pianist and the interview is interspersed with Bach fugues throughout. In addition to discussing the plot, Terkel and L'Engle discuss several of the book's characters and their histories and motivations.

The American author and educator was inspired to explore the city of Prague after the death of her Czech grandmother. In her travels, Hampl came to learn more about contemporary Prague than about her family's roots, but it led to the publication of the memoir, A Romantic Education.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The American-born socialite experienced tragedy early in life after her mother was killed in a plane crash. She and her sister were then abandoned by their father and raised by aloof grandparents and a series of nannies. Later, she studied and traveled in Iran and India, married the last Chogyal (King) of Sikkim (northeast India), and wrote an autobiography.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The American author of fiction and nonfiction talks about her memoir, Minor Characters, and the time that she spent with Jack Kerouac and the other artists that made up the Beat Generation. The program includes clips from an earlier conversation with Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, and Peter Orlovsky.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The journalist and writer discusses Heartburn, her first novel, which, according to Terkel, is best read out loud. He and Ephron take turns readings their favorite passages and analyzing the characters. The novel was later made into a film of the same name starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Madeleine L'Engle discusses her book, Ring of Endless Light, and how she doesn't often think of writing for particular age levels even though publishers seem intent on drawing distinctions between children's literature and adult fiction.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

As a tribute to Nelson Algren after his death, a collection of his writing is dramatized in this radio program titled "Come in at the Door."

As a tribute to Nelson Algren after his death, a collection of his writing is dramatized in this radio program titled "Come in at the Door."

Hearing Chopin being played through the pipes of another apartment and a tale about a young girl who died and whose father froze her body in an ice house are among the stories in Stuart Dybek's book, "The Coast of Chicago." Dybek explained that although his stories may seem dream-like, he tries to come up up with stories from some place of reality.