The Kent State Shootings, 35 Years Later

On the 47th anniversary of the Kent State shootings, NPR has this excerpt of 13 Seconds: A Look Back at the Kent State Shootings, former Chicago Tribune reporter Philip Caputo’s 2005 book about covering the massacre, in which members of the Ohio National Guard shot and killed unarmed students who were protesting the Vietnam War.

Source: NPR
Published: May 4, 2017
Length: 32 minutes (8,009 words)

Flavorwire Author Club: Nora Ephron’s Guide to Dealing With Heartbreak Through ‘Heartburn’

A personal essay and appreciation of Heartburn, Nora Ephron’s autobiographical novel, by Tyler Coates (these days a culture editor at Esquire). Ephron’s novel was released on this day in 1983. This essay, in which Coates recalls watching the 1986 film adaptation while recovering from his own heartbreak, was published in 2014.

Source: Flavorwire
Published: Jul 24, 2014
Length: 6 minutes (1,509 words)

As a Girl, I Went Through Abstinence Ed. As a Woman, I’m Trying to Understand the Damage Done.

Becca Andrews travels with an abstinence only sex education team — and considers the impact that same education had on her life.

Source: Mother Jones
Published: Apr 30, 2016
Length: 20 minutes (5,010 words)

Chris Rock in a Hard Place: On Infidelity, His New Tour and Starting Over

Stephen Rodrick goes on tour with the comedian as Rock grapples with post-divorce life and preparations for a new comedy special.

Source: Rolling Stone
Published: May 3, 2017
Length: 24 minutes (6,227 words)

The Love and Terror of Nick Cave

When musician Nick Cave’s son Arthur died, Cave dealt with his grief the only way he knew how: by continuing to write music. “Songwriting is an immensely positive act,” Cave said, “nothing to do with sadness or depression, no matter what you’re writing about.” A film made about the new album’s recording offers a penetrating portrait of tragedy, creation and grief.

Source: GQ
Published: Apr 27, 2017
Length: 29 minutes (7,286 words)

Sold For Parts

One of the most dangerous companies in the U.S. took advantage of immigrant workers. Then, when they got hurt or fought back, it used America’s laws against them.

Source: Pro Publica
Published: May 1, 2017
Length: 25 minutes (6,265 words)

Alec Baldwin Gets Under Trump’s Skin

Admittedly, it doesn’t take much, but Baldwin satirizes and critiques our sensitive, insensitive President with panache, raising himself to the role of America’s Deflator in Chief.

Source: The Atlantic
Published: May 1, 2017
Length: 27 minutes (6,963 words)

How Trump Could Get Fired

Impeachment is hard, but the 25th amendment could be easy: If an administration determines a president is incapacitated or otherwise unable to fulfill his duties, it can replace him with the Vice President. Only one administration has attempted this so far, when Ronald Reagan — then the oldest person to hold office — began to forget simple words.

Author: Evan Osnos
Source: The New Yorker
Published: May 1, 2017
Length: 38 minutes (9,500 words)

The Accidental Get Away Driver

How one man drove right into the center of a daring and dangerous crime, and came out the other side with a renewed faith in life and a new son.

Author: Paul Kix
Source: GQ
Published: May 1, 2017
Length: 20 minutes (5,175 words)

My Father Spent 30 Years In Prison. Now He’s Out.

A touching personal essay in which writer Ashley Ford reveals that she and her father are happily rebuilding their relationship now that he has been released from prison after 30 years. Slowly they are getting to know each other in ways they never before had. One of the more challenging aspects: bringing him up to speed with cell phone technology and texting.

Source: Refinery 29
Published: Apr 28, 2017
Length: 9 minutes (2,409 words)