Fly fishing, relationships and people Norman Maclean has met are all apart of his book, "A River Runs Through It." Maclean's father taught Maclean and his brother the art of fly fishing. Maclean's book is semi-autobiographical with three short stories.

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."

Discussing and reading from "Fairy Tales" and "The Saga of Eric the Viking" (both published by Schocken Press) with the author Terry Jones.

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 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."