As the second season of HBO's The White Lotus comes to a close, creator Mike White reflects on how it examines the dark side of sex, and how at its heart is a mix of Laverne & Shirley, Fantasy Island and Survivor.

Michael Cecchi-Azzolina has worked in several high-end New York City restaurants — adrenaline-fueled workplaces where booze and drugs are plentiful and the health inspector will ruin your day. His memoir about his career as a maître d' is Your Table Is Ready.

Best Of: 'White Lotus' Creator Mike White / The Life Of A NYC Maître D'

Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.

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In a new Hulu docuseries, Jon Bon Jovi looks back on his career and his recovery after vocal surgery. He spoke with Terry Gross about his breakthrough hit "Runaway" and how he's evolved as a musician.  

Also, we'll hear from fantasy author Leigh Bardugo. She's best known for her YA series Shadow and Bone. Her new adult novel, The Familiar, set in 16th century Spain, is about a young woman who can perform miracles.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews a new collection of letters by Emily Dickinson.

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Best Of: Jon Bon Jovi / Fantasy Writer Leigh Bardugo

The New York Times described Paul Auster as the "Patron Saint of Literary Brooklyn." He died Tuesday of complications of lung cancer. He was 77.  We'll listen back to some of our interviews with him, including one about his early career when he was desperately trying to make a living as writer, and even tried writing porn.

Justin Chang reviews the new film The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

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Remembering Writer Paul Auster

Congress and President Biden say TikTok must shed its financial ties to China or face a ban in the U.S. But Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell says selling the company is complicated. 

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What Will Happen With The TikTok Ban?

In The Demon of Unrest, author Erik Larson chronicles the five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and the start of the Civil War, drawing parallels to today's political climate.

Also, David Bianculli reviews the FX/Hulu spy thriller series The Veil, starring Elisabeth Moss.

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Erik Larson On The Dawn Of The Civil War

Leigh Bardugo is best known for her YA Shadow and Bone series. Her adult novel, The Familiar, centers on a young woman in 16th century Spain who must hide her identity as a Jew who converted to Catholicism. She spoke with producer Sam Briger. 

Also, jazz historian Kevin Whitehead looks at a reissue of Sonny Rollins. 

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Best Of: 'White Lotus' Creator Mike White / The Life Of A NYC Maître D'

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