The Best of NPR Books for December 22, 2016

[NPR] [View this email in your browser] [NPR Books] This week: Jeanette Winterson shares a feast of stories (and recipes) in Christmas Days, plus chefs from all over use food to bridge cultural divides in a new cookbook: Soup for Syria. We examine the history of science and two new books -- Hidden Figures and The Glass Universe -- that bring to light overlooked parts of that history. Culturally relevant books can bring English alive for learners -- we recommend some good ones. And we talk to Silvia Moreno-Garcia about her great grandmother's tales of vampire witches. And of course, the Book Concierge rolls on! If you're still looking for last minute gift ideas, there's even a handy printable list function, so you can make a shopping list and take it to your local bookstore. Happy Holidays! Author Interviews ['Christmas Days' Is A Feast Of Stories — And Food] For author Jeanette Winterson, Christmas is as much about food as it is about storytelling. So her new book Christmas Days combines stories with favorite recipes from her friends and family. [Read this story] The Salt ['Soup For Syria': Chefs Share Recipes To Raise Funds For Refugees] A charity cookbook featuring soup recipes from Alice Waters, Anthony Bourdain and others, famous and not, has raised $300,000 so far for displaced Syrians. Why soup? It's a universal comfort food. [Read this story] Book News & Features ['Hidden Figures,' 'The Glass Universe,' And Why Science Needs History] Women's contributions to scientific progress are often ignored — but two new books, Dava Sobel's The Glass Universe and Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures are out to remedy that oversight. [Read this story] Author Interviews ['Certain Dark Things' Takes The Vampire Story In A New Direction] Silvia Moreno-Garcia's latest, Certain Dark Things is a vampire story set in modern-day Mexico. She recalls being a child in Mexico and hearing tales of vampire witches from her great grandmother. [Read this story] NPR Ed [Great Books To Inspire English Language Learners] Way too many students who are English language learners are reading below grade level. Here are five culturally relevant books that might spark their curiosity. [Read this story] NPR | 1111 N. Capitol St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 | [Privacy Policy] This message was sent to {EMAIL} based on your NPR email subscriptions. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you may [unsubscribe] at any time. [NPR]