A Novel Idea Suzanne M. Lang

From Jim Crow to Civil Rights, it was tenacious and savvy black musicians who paved the way. Suzanne Lang talks with Larry Tye whose book is The Jazzmen, How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America . Also featured is Carl Unegbu with his book Comedy Goes To Court, When People Stop Laughing and Start Fighting . It’s A Novel Idea, Sunday morning at 10 am PT, streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

Suzanne Lang talks with award winning author of books for kids and adults, Susan Muaddi Darraj, whose novel is BEHIND YOU IS THE SEA . This story of diaspora, of people living in a Palestinian American community in Baltimore, is an immigrant tale of generations. Rex Ogle also joins Suzanne and talks about his latest memoir geared toward young adults, ROAD HOME. At seventeen, he was kicked out of the house for being gay and for a time lived on the streets of New Orleans. The story is hard, yet full of self-compassion. It’s A Novel Idea. Every first, third, and fifth Sunday at 10:00 am PT. Streaming at krcb.org .

The importance of gathered botanical and ecological knowledge to our survival as human beings in a changing landscape is explored. Suzanne Lang talks with evolutionary biologist and science writer Erin Zimmerman, whose book is Unrooted: Botany, Motherhood, and the Fight to Save an Old Science, a memoir of botany and natural history seen through the lens of her own career, the barriers she faced, and the work she’s done. Suzanne also talks with Manjula Martin on her book, The Last Fire Season; A Personal and Pyronatural History, which weaves her personal journey through health issues with her exploration of fire, place, gardening, indigenous knowledge, and living in a body and a landscape that sometimes confound. A Novel Idea airs Sunday, June 16 th — and the 1 st , 3 rd , & 5 th Sunday of every month, at 10am PT. Streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

Depression, panic attacks, mania are all forms of mental dis-order. Therapy, medication, and strong support systems can help restore a bit of balance. Suzanne Lang talks with Anastasia Zadeik about her novel of art, philosophy, and people searching for love, stability, and fulfillment while experiencing mental distress, The Other Side of Nothing. Also featured is Julie Chavez, who at the age 38 experienced her first ever panic attack. Her journey back to herself is told in her often funny and always hopeful memoir Everyone But Myself. A Novel Idea gets a grip with Suzanne Lang. Streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

When fiction is grounded in scientific fact, our world opens up. Suzanne Lang talks with novelist Elizabeth Reed Aden on her medical thriller The Goldilocks Genome, which uses the science behind pharmaceuticals and the human body to create a taut story of terrorism and the geeks who pursue the terrorist. Also featured is award winning writer Nell Freudenberger with her latest work of fiction, The Limits, a novel of family and culture, the survival of the coral reefs, and the social challenges of living during the early days of COVID. It’s A Novel Idea with Suzanne Lang. Streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

It’s all about water. Suzanne Lang talks with author, photographer, and conservationist Tim Palmer on his book Seek Higher Ground, the Natural Solution to our Urgent Flooding Crisis . Tim explores the legacy of flooding in America and the climatic, economic, and ecological realities of our rivers and communities. Also featured is another visit with Julene Bair whose memoir is The Ogallala Road, a Story of Love, Family, and the Fight to Keep the Great Plains from Running Dry. It’s A Novel Idea with Suzanne Lang!