All About Books | NET Radio

Hiram Walker was born into slavery in Virginia, but he does have two powerful gifts- great intelligence and a mysterious power that he uses to help free other slaves. On this week’s All About Books, a review of “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

A couple move to a small English village an hour from London with their whimsical son. Also in this village is a mythical figure associated with nature. "Lanny" by Max Porter is an unusual novel about a child’s disappearance.

A boy and girl growing up in the same small Irish town with very different economic backgrounds and unequal social success. Their secret friendship and mutual fascination continues into college. The new novel is, “Normal People” by Sally Rooney.

Frans de Waal spent four decades at the forefront of animal research looking at primate intelligence and now, their emotions. In his new book, “Mama’s Last Hug” he explores the rich emotional lives of animals.

In this time when people are trying to stay safe at home- one of the best solitary activities has always been reading. This week on “All About Books”, Creighton Professor Brent Spencer has book suggestions for the pandemic home reader.

A novel with 12 distinct British, black, mostly-female characters; who tell stories of their families, friends and lovers through the years. Winner of the Booker Prize, “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernadine Evaristo.

Growing up in Alabama and now living in suburban Nashville, author Margaret Renki in her new book, “Late Migrations” collected short essays on family, love and loss interwoven with observations of the natural world.

A 15-year old girl from the Dominican Republic marries without love to a man twice her age. She understands her moving with him to New York City means a valuable foothold to help her close-knit family immigrate. On this week’s “All About Books” a review of the novel “Dominicana” by Angie Cruz.

In the aftermath of the civil war, racial and cultural tensions are on edge in the Cherokee lands. “Cherokee America” by Margaret Verble is a Western tale told from the point of view of mixed-race woman who is a wealthy farmer and the matriarch of her family.

It’s artists and graphic novels on this week’s “All About Books.” From UNL Libraries, Richard Graham introduces a huge, 16-year project from Omaha native Chris Ware called “Rusty Brown” An early 20th century illustrator is featured in, “Madness in Crowds: the Teaming Mind of Harrison Cady.”

Amber is a third generation Jehovah’s Witness moves to China with her husband to secretly spread their religion. But living outside her closed community for the first time, she experiences different perspectives leading to a new life for herself. On NET Radio’s “All About Books” a review of “Leaving...

A rural Alabama preacher was accused of murdering five of his family members for insurance money. His attorney helped him escape justice until the reverend was murdered at a funeral. In the audience of the vigilante’s trial was Harper Lee who had in mind a book about all this. “Furious Hours: Murder...

Between the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights Movement, is 100 years of less well-known history. On this week’s “All About Books”, “Stony the Road” by Henry Louis Gates Jr. An account of African American’s struggle for equality after the Civil War and the violent counter revolution that...

An American missionary and ROTC cadet disappears in Pakistan only to resurface unexpectedly in a video. The FBI arrive in Omaha to talk with his sister to learn about this family and their history. Omaha-based author Theodore Wheeler is the guest on “All About Books” to talk about his new novel “In...

It’s new take on the Cold War spy novel. Marie is a brilliant intelligence officer in the FBI, and a young African American woman. When her career stalls in the old boys club, a new adventure opens up. “American Spy” by Lauren Wilkinson is reviewed on this week’s All About Books