God’s Hotel by Victoria Sweet

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The Madeleine Brand Show: Author of ‘God’s Hotel’ explains the practice of ‘slow medicine’

Until recently, Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco operated much like an almshouse during the Middle Ages. It served several purposes, providing a place for people who had fallen on hard times, while also offering extended, low-tech care.

The patients at Laguna Honda could stay for weeks, months, and sometimes even years. Dr. Victoria Sweet describes the practice as “slow medicine.” She spent 20 years there after only intending to stay for two months.

Now she has written a book about her experience called “God’s Hotel.”

Are You My Mother

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The graphic novelist Alison Bechdel uses simple, clean drawings to tell difficult and often messy stories.  Her new graphic novel is called “Are You my Mother?” This time, Bechdel delves into her relationship with her mom, herself an artist who gave up her career to raise a family.

Total Memory Makeover By Marilu Henner

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The Madeleine Brand Show: Marilu Henner & Total Memory

The past is prelude to the future. But how much of our lives do most of us really remember? And what would our memories tell us if they could? Get ready to harness the power of your autobiographical memory. New York Times bestselling author, renowned health advocate, actress, performer and memory expert, Marilu Henner, helps you develop the ability to remember more of your past, to recall it more clearly and most of all, to understand your memories as a blueprint for the extraordinary life you were meant to have.

Before the Lights Go Out: Conquering the Energy Crisis Before It Conquers Us 

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Madeleine Brand Show: New Books takes a Look at the Precariousness of our Electric System

Sunday is Earth Day, so expect to hear a lot about planting trees, recycling, and the myriad ways you can be cutting down your carbon foot print. And of course, people will bring up the idea of switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy, like wind or solar.

But in her new book, Maggie Koerth-Baker argues that before we change how we get our energy, we need to change how we distribute that energy.

How To Sharpen Pencils by David Rees

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Madeleine Brand: New Book by David Rees details the Art of Pencil Sharpening

Pencils — maybe you haven’t given much thought to them. Maybe you just picked one up when you needed it, sharpened it and started writing.

Madeleine talks with a man who’s spent a lot of time thinking about pencils. In fact, he’s a professional pencil sharpener.