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John Grisham's new novel The King of Torts takes a savage view of lawyers who live lavishly on huge contingency fees earned by successful lawsuits against corporate defendants. Grisham speaks with NPR's Scott Simon.

The Chinese New Year, a celebration that starts with the new moon and lasts for 15 days, begins this year on Feb. 1. NPR's Linda Wertheimer looks at a new children's book — Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats — that tells the stories behind this and three other major Chinese holidays. See illustrations from the book and try some recipes.

When Luciano Pavarotti calls in sick for what was to be his final performance, tenor Salvatore Licitra steps in and wows the audience at the Met in New York. He has since released a CD called The Debut, which has been winning critical acclaim. And he's in New York again tonight for a performance at Carnegie Hall. Salvatore Licitra talks with NPR's Robert Siegel.

The ancient culture of the land that is now called Iraq is the subject of a "draw in" at the Assyrian Gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York. Artists make new sketches interpreting some of civilized man's earliest creative efforts. NPR's Jacki Lyden reports.

Devotees of Irish novelist James Joyce celebrate today as Bloomsday by reading from his 1922 novel Ulysses. Actress Fionnula Flanagan shares a short excerpt from the closing pages of the book.

Actress Lynne Thigpen dies at her Los Angeles home this week. The cause of death is not immediately known. She was 54. Born and raised in Joliet, Ill., she distinguished herself on the stage -- winning a Tony for An American Daughter -- and in film and television appearances. Most recently she was a co-star of the CBS drama The District.

What Tiger Woods is to Golf, Torums Scarf Michael is to being a dog. The Kerry blue terrier known as "Mick" for short, wins Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with David Frei, the show's commentator.

The new CD by minimalist composer Terry Riley is a spiritual and personal journey for the composer. In Atlantis Nath, Riley uses common sounds such as street sounds, his keyboard playing and his voice to take the listener on a journey. Michelle Mercer has a review.

There's a long tradition of British Shakespearean actors coming to the colonies and wowing the locals with performances of the Bard's greatest hits. British actor Steven Berkoff talks about his one-man show, Shakespeare's Villains: a Master Class in Evil.

The economic downturn forces state officials to slash budgets for many government-funded services. New Jersey, one of 40 states in which funding for the arts is expected to plummet, become the third state to propose eliminating arts spending entirely. Joel Rose of member station WHYY reports.