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In 2000, author Jhumpa Lahiri won a Pulitzer Prize for her very first book, a collection of stories titled Interpreter of Maladies. Lahiri returns to the literary scene with her first novel, The Namesake. NPR's Melissa Block talks with Lahiri about the book, which tells the story of an Indian immigrant family in America.

The director of Russia's Bolshoi theater defends a decision to fire a popular ballerina. Her employer says Anastasia Volochkova was [too tall -- and at 109 pounds, too heavy -- to perform.] NPR's Lawrence Sheets reports.

Sena Jeter Naslund's latest novel, Four Spirits, melds real people and fictional characters to tell the story of the civil rights struggle in Birmingham, Ala. during the early 1960s. The title refers to the four schoolgirls killed Sept. 15, 1963, in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Hear an extended interview with the author.

Writer and Paris Review editor George Plimpton dies at his Manhattan apartment. He was 76. Plimpton's writing combined elegance and wit, and often showed a willingness to make himself the butt of the joke. Paper Lion was the most famous of several books he wrote chronicling Walter Mitty-like experiences in sports and other endeavors. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and NPR's Frank Deford.

The Bottom Line -- the Greenwich Village cabaret where Bruce Springsteen got his start, and where musicians from Miles Davis to Dolly Parton and Aaron Copland have performed -- faces financial problems and could be shut down. NPR's Jennifer Ludden speaks with Bottom Line co-founder Allan Pepper.

Art Spiegelman is best known for his Pulitzer-prize winning graphic novel "Maus" about the Holocaust. His latest project is a collection offering a different kind of scary story -- one designed to interest children in reading, and the art of storytelling. On Weekend Edition Sunday, NPR's Liane Hansen interviews Spiegelman about "It Was a Dark and Silly Night...."

Good Morning Midnight tells the story of renowned mountain climber Guy Waterman, who committed suicide atop New Hampshire's Mt. Lafayette. Waterman became passionate about the outdoors after leaving an unhappy marriage and abandoning his career as a Republican speechwriter. Host Melissa Block talks with author Chip Brown.

The latest Masterpiece Theater presentation is a relatively new masterpiece. It's Zadie Smith's White Teeth, from a novel published just two years ago. NPR's Lynn Neary reports.

Amy Borkowsky's collection of funny telephone messages from her Mom has spawned a sequel: Amy's Answering Machine: Volume 2. Amy shares some of her mother's latest advice with NPR's John Ydstie. Hear messages from both CDs online.

Wayne Shorter's new record, Alegria, is being released just in time for the legendary jazz saxophonist's 70th birthday. From classical to avant-garde jazz, the album spans the myriad styles Shorter has embraced during his 50-year career. Michelle Mercer offers a review.