Terry Gross

Performance poet Sapphire has written a new novel, "Push," in the voice of a 16 year-old black girl named Precious Jones, who is pregnant for the second time by her father. Her world opens up when a teacher encourages her to learn to read and write. Sapphire taught reading and writing to teenagers and adults in Harlem and the Bronx for eight years. There's also a new edition of her book of poetry, "American Dreams."

"Mr Horror": writer Stephen King. He ushered in a whole new era of horror fiction with his first novel in 1974, "Carrie." In the ensuing twenty years he has penned novels, short stories, screenplays, comic books, and TV movies. He currently has five books on the New York Times paperback bestseller list: His novel "Rose Madder" (Signet) and four installments of his six-part serial "The Green Mile". (Signet). (REBROADCAST)

Venet has produced more than 300 albums in his career and has collected numerous Grammy nominations and awards. He is co-producer of a new Bobby Darin box set (Rhino). Venet was also Darin's producer and friend. (ORIGINAL BROADCAST 3/19/96).

Film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert join Terry Gross on stage in Chicago for a live audience version of Fresh Air. This was recorded in February 1996. The duo began their TV collaboration in 1975 on Chicago Public Television station WTTW. After two successful seasons, the program became a national PBS show. In 1981 it moved to commercial television. Their show is now known as "Siskel and Ebert" and is heard in 180 markets. (ORIGINAL BROADCAST 3/21/96) (CONTINUES AFTER FLOATER)

A concert and interview with vocalist Susannah McCorkle, accompanied by pianist Cliff Korman. Last week, McCorkle finished a cabaret of Cole Porter tunes in New York City. "The Passionate Cole Porter" was an attempt to prove that Porter was not an unfeeling observer of romance. She also has a CD featuring Cole Porter tunes, "Easy To Love" (Concord Jazz). McCorkle is the youngest singer ever to be included in the Smithsonian Institution's "Popular Music Record Series."

Biographer David Hajdu has just written "Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn" (Farrar, Straus and Girous). The book explores the life of Strayhorn, a Duke Ellington collaborator who composed "Take the 'A' Train," "Lush Life" and "Something to Live For." Strayhorn was black and gay, but maintained a low profile while working with Ellington's band.

Singer and actress Cher. She's just released "It's a Man's World" (Warner Brothers), her first CD in five years. She talks Terry about her early life and career.

In his new book, Thayer says moods are not just psychological in origin, but the direct result of biological conditions. The book explains the nature of moods and teaches ways to control them. Thayer is a bio-psychologist and Professor of Psychology at California State University, Long Beach.

Science writer David Quammen's new book is "The Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions" (Scribner). During his eight years of research, Quammen studied the biogeography of islands around the world. His travels introduced him to plants and animals previously unimagined. Quammen is a two-time recipient of the National Magazine Award for his science essays and other work in Outside magazine.

Author and journalist and NPR reporter Alan Berlow's new book is "Dead Season: A Story of Murder and Revenge on the Philippine Island of Negros." It's an investigation into a massacre of a peasant family which was linked to a series of interrelated crimes. Berlow also examines the broader problems facing the Philippines and the impact of American colonialism and imperialism.