All About Books

Nebraska Public Media

4.4 (25)
BOOKS
UPDATED WEEKLY

A weekly book review and discussion program hosted by Pat Leach. Updated on Thursdays.

6D AGO

“What Art Does: an Unfinished Theory" by Brian Eno

Making Art seems to be a universal human activity. Why is that, and what does Art actually do? This is explored by composer and music producer Brian Eno in his book “What Art Does: an Unfinished Theory”. It’s a playful and richly illustrated look at Art in our lives.

9 min
NOV 5

“Goethe’s Oak: a Holocaust Memorial” by John Price

The book began with a trip to Buchenwald Memorial near Weimar, Germany. UNO English Professor John Price was inspired by a memorial at a massive oak stump- all that was left of a famous oak tree mentioned in German literature and music. “Goethe’s Oak: a Holocaust Memorial” imagines the history this famous tree experienced over the centuries of its long life. Hear an interview with author John Price

17 min
OCT 29

"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelly

On Halloween week, All About Books welcomes UNL Professor of English Dr. Michael Page who will introduce a Gothic thriller and the era that created them. Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein.

15 min
OCT 23

“Whiskey Tender" by Deborah Jackson Taffa

In her memoir, Deborah Jackson Taffa traces how, as a mixed-tribe native girl growing up in the 70’s and 80’s she came to her own understanding of identity. Hear a review of “Whiskey Tender: A Memoir of Family and Survival on and off the Reservation.”

8 min
OCT 15

“Wilder Weather" by Dr. Barbara Boustead.

The Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder painted a vivid sense of place with the weather on the Great Plains playing an important role. Dr. Barbara Boustead is a meteorologist and Wilder scholar who researched the accuracy of these stories’ descriptions of blizzards, tornadoes and floods. Hear an interview with Dr. Boustead about her book “Wilder Weather”

18 min
OCT 8

“Challenger" by Adam Higginbotham.

On January 28, 1986, a little over a minute into flight, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. The full story of what happened before and after that day is revealed in the new book, “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space” by Adam Higginbotham.

9 min
OCT 1

“I’ll Be Right Here". by Amy Bloom

Beginning with flight from post-World War II North Africa and Paris, right up to our own time; a multi-generational found-family struggles, lives and loves. Best-selling author Amy Bloom’s new novel is, “I’ll Be Right Here".

9 min
SEP 24

“Good Soil:The Education of an Accidental Farmhand” by Jeff Chu

In mid-life, Jeff Chu left his job as a magazine writer for grad school at Princeton Theological Seminary. The school had a 21-acre farm, the “Farminary”, where Chu worked. Pat Leach talked to Jeff Chu about his experiences and his book “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand”

17 min

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4.4

out of 5

25 Ratings

Re: “Elderhood,” and ageism v ableism

10/13/2020

emily_rj

Love this podcast, as a Nebraska living away from Nebraska who loves books. Some thoughts on the review and discussion on “Elderhood.” Ageism and ableism are two separate forms of bigotry, often confused and assumed for the same. I think the author, and the reviewer, should be clearer to note this. As we have seen in recent decades more and more older and elderly people be forced into working past retirement, rather than being provided with resources to elect continuing to work, the lines about worth and inclusion and resources are clearly drawn between those who can work and those who can’t. The US has about 28 percent disabled residents (pre-Covid, it’s certainly more now) but the majority of disabled people aren’t considered older or elderly. I hope these delineations are more thoroughly reviewed with future book review selections. May I suggest Alice Wong’s “Disability Visibility” that was published this year? Thank you
Ms.

07/18/2015

Hungrygirlreader

This podcast is so smart and entertaining and downright delightful. I never miss it and get fabulous ideas for new reads. A must have for all readers and listeners of literature!
Books with your coffee buddies

03/11/2013

markgi

Great show. The hosts sound like two guys having coffee who happen to talk about books. That is not to say they are not erudite--they are. It's just that no matter what book they are talking about they approach the subject with wit,humility,and (dare I say it) a dose of Nebraska plainspeak.
A great loss

12/24/2009

Pam in Colorado

I am so sorry to hear about Otis Young's death. I feel like I know you both after listening to you for a couple of years. Your podcast has given me many wonderful books to read. I am sure that you and Otis' family have a heavy heart at this time. Know that he enriched lives with his book discussions.