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.

Sybil Leek discusses the history and beliefs of witchcraft, modern medicine compared to natural medicine, and animal familiars. "The Gloucester Witch" performed by John Allison has been removed.