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In her latest book, best-selling humor writer Jill Conner Browne — better known as the Sweet Potato Queen — shares her insights on men, classifying them into handy spud categories (Mr. Right is a Spud Stud.) NPR's Debbie Elliott caught up with the Queen and her sparkling, tiara-wearing fans.

With guidance from his mother and grandmother, chef Alton Brown developed an flair in the kitchen early. In the final installment of our holiday baking series, he offers some last-minute tips. And NPR's Jennifer Ludden gets some kitchen wisdom from her own grandmother, Marion Otte.

Why do some cakes seem to go so well on the way into the oven, but come out as disastrous sinkholes? The Food Network's Alton Brown solves the mysteries of cake-baking in the second of our series of holiday baking tips. He talks with NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Lemony Snicket, a.k.a. Daniel Handler, gained a dedicated following of young readers with his darkly funny A Series of Unfortunate Events books. Now the Baudelaire orphans have made the big screen. Handler tells NPR's Michele Norris about his own childhood fears and adult apprehensions.

Creative cooking is not only for the restaurant chef, but for those cooking at home as well. NPR's Michele Norris speaks with Michael Lomonaco, author of Nightly Specials, a book that aims to inspire spontaneity in the kitchen.

Reviewer Alan Cheuse offers his annual recommendations for holiday gift-giving. This year's list includes novels of travel on Earth and in space, new versions of tales from the Bible, Africa and Mesopotamia, and collections of poetry and song.

In the first of a series to help with the mad dash of holiday cooking, Alton Brown, host of The Food Network show '"Good Eats" and author of "I'm Just Here for More Food," offers some baking tips. He explains the secrets and science behind a perfect pie crust.

A new cookbook from food writer Marlena Spieler gives a makeover to the ultimate comfort food. With combinations like mozzarella, fig jam and prosciutto, and sage sausage with jack, Grilled Cheese: 50 Recipes to Make You Melt makes the classic sandwich even better. NPR's Jennifer Ludden joins Spieler in the kitchen.

Amos Oz's latest is A Tale Of Love And Darkness, a memoir of growing up in Jerusalem in the turbulent 1940s and '50s, when a war-torn Israel was achieving statehood. Oz's home life was as intense as the world outside. The book follows Oz through his mother's suicide to a growing interest in politics and writing.

Writer Suzan-Lori Parks has won acclaim for depictions of African-American life. The author of Topdog/Underdog discusses two of her favorite dramatic scenes, from The Sound of Music and Taxi Driver.