MEMETERIA by Thomas May

Arts & Culture Stories from NPR

• Christo, Famous For His Monumental Works Of Art, Dies At 84
  The artist Christo died at his home in New York City on Sunday. He's known for major outdoor art installations that often involved wrapping buildings and elements of nature in fabric.
• This Bedtime Book Helps Kids Find Their Place In The 'Universe'
  Before he became an astrophysicist, Ray Jayawardhana was just a kid, looking up at the night sky with his father. "I remember being awed," he says. He's written a book called Child of the Universe.
• A Grandmother's Poem Reassures Us With Humor And Grace
  An NPR photojournalist's grandfather's 90th birthday party, canceled due to COVID-19, inspired a poem — and his vow to stay 89.
• 'Something To Talk About' Is A Slow-Burn Showstopper Romance
  In Meryl Wilsner's debut novel, a Hollywood showrunner and her assistant are thrust into the spotlight after an innocuous red-carpet moment prompts gossip about a relationship between the two women.
• Inside 'Oh, Hello: The P'dcast' With Gil Faizon And George St. Geegland
  NPR's Scott Simon talks with Faizon and St. Geegland, who sound oddly like comedians John Mulaney and Nick Kroll, about their podcast.
• In 'Humankind,' Rutger Bregman Aims To Convince That Most People Are Good
  The historian and author of Utopia for Realists says that research shows that "especially in times of crisis, we show our best selves. And we get this explosion of altruism and cooperation."
• Say 'Hello, Neighbor' To This Charming Picture Book About Mister Rogers
  Our kids' books columnist reports that amidst the messes and fights that result from kids in lockdown, Matthew Cordell's gentle new picture book biography of Mister Rogers has the power to soothe.
• Ramy Youssef
  Actor and comedian Ramy Youssef talks about his Hulu series Ramy, working with Mahershala Ali and writing book reports for his dad. Then, Youssef takes a quiz on the history of sneakers.
• To Thinkpiece Or Not To Thinkpiece
  Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite) and Jackie Kashian (The Jackie and Laurie Show) update the titles of Shakespeare plays as search engine-friendly, clickbait-y headlines.
• Plus Ones
  Maria Bamford and Jackie Kashian join musician Jonathan Coulton for a game that ruins bands by adding an extra letter to form a new name.