Scott Simon News

As the temperature outside dips across most of the country, we are warming up for second day of extensive coverage of the 2015 Miami Book Fair, live from Miami Dade College. All this weekend, PBS audiences across the country are invited to take part in one of the nation's oldest and largest literary festivals—the 32nd annual Miami Book Fair at Miami Dade College (MDC), featuring interviews with dozens of authors, illustrators and celebrities led by Jeffrey Brown, Chief Correspondent for Arts, Culture, and Society for PBS NewHour and Book View Now host Rich Fahle.

The Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Chicago Public Library presented the 16th annual Carl Sandburg Literary Award to legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Universally heralded for his immense contributions to musical theater in a career spanning more than 50 years, Sondheim was at the Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner tonight, October 21, 2015 at The Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Road) on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The event was attended by almost 700 and raised more than $1.5 million to support the initiatives of the Chicago Public Library. Scroll down for photos!

The Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Chicago Public Library have announced that the 16th annual Carl Sandburg Literary Award will be presented to legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Universally heralded for his immense contributions to musical theater in a career spanning more than 50 years, Sondheim will be honored at the Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at The Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Road) on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Director John Benitz, who has been with the show since making its world premiere at Chapman University where he teaches, graciously answered a few questions over email about the project, and how it came to the Kennedy Center, what draws him to the material, and what experience the show will offer to Kennedy Center audiences.

CBS SUNDAY MORNING WITH CHARLES OSGOOD remained the #1 Sunday morning news program with adults 25-54, the demographic that matters most to those who advertise in news, and viewers, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for April 26.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the nation's largest retail bookseller and the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, has all of the greatest gifts for Mom this Mother's Day. Books make the perfect gift for Mom, and Barnes & Noble is the premier destination for all the biggest and best books, including The Liar by Nora Roberts, Memory Man by David Baldacci and Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Customers can also give Mom endless reading and entertainment this Mother's Day at a great value, with the popular 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK, available for the low price of only $129.99, in-store only. More exciting offers include 30% off select candles and scents, 50% off a select list of DVD and Blu-ray titles and a special assortment of vinyl and CDs that Mom will love. And, of course, a Barnes & Noble Gift Card is always an excellent gift for Mom, allowing her to choose from a wide selection of bestselling books, NOOK content, DVDs, music, gift items including exclusive home décor and stylish accessories, plus unbeatable bargains.

CBS SUNDAY MORNING WITH CHARLES OSGOOD delivered its largest first quarter audience since the 1987 advent of people meters, and remained the #1 Sunday morning news program with viewers and adults 25-54

Acording to the Chicago Tribune, theatre legend Stephen Sondheim will receive Chicago Public Library Foundation's 16th Carl Sandburg Award. As a part of the ceremony on October 21, 2015, Sondheim will be interviewed onstage by Scott Simon of NPR. The Carl Sandburg Literary Award is presented annually to an acclaimed author in recognition of outstanding contributions to the literary world and honors a significant work or body of work that has enhanced the public's awareness of the written word. The Carl Sandburg Award in the Arts is presented to an individual who embodies a spirit of creativity and social consciousness.

Brian Grazer is a powerhouse in Hollywood and a guiding force behind some of the most popular movies and television shows of the last 30 years.

Brian Grazer is a powerhouse in Hollywood and a guiding force behind some of the most popular movies and television shows of the last 30 years.

Music Director Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announce the Orchestra's celebratory Centennial 2015-2016 season, its ninth season under the direction of Maestra Alsop. Through appearances by the world's most renowned artists, premieres of several new works, Baltimore homecomings from local artists or artists who got their start on the BSO stage, exciting signature projects and strengthening of longstanding community partnerships, the BSO marks this important milestone in grand fashion.

Music Director Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announce the Orchestra's celebratory Centennial 2015-2016 season, its ninth season under the direction of Maestra Alsop. Through appearances by the world's most renowned artists, premieres of several new works, Baltimore homecomings from local artists or artists who got their start on the BSO stage, exciting signature projects and strengthening of longstanding community partnerships, the BSO marks this important milestone in grand fashion.

-The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announces its Spring 2015 Season, featuring presenters Scott Simon, Mindy Segal, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Judy Blume, along with an exhibition of Chicago photos taken by the Liminal Camera.

In less than three years, the free digital Publishers Lunch Buzz Books have proven themselves the first and best place for passionate readers and publishing insiders to discover and sample some of the most acclaimed books of the year, before they are published. Buzz Books titles regularly appear on bestseller and "year's best" lists. Publishers Lunch has gathered substantial excerpts from 65 of the most buzzed-about books scheduled for publication this spring and summer in two exclusive, free new ebooks, BUZZ BOOKS 2015: Spring/Summer and BUZZ BOOKS 2015: Young Adult Spring, offered in consumer and trade editions (adult and YA).

Letterman has cancelled the appearance of Bill Cosby, who was supposed to be a guest on the CBS show on Nov. 19.

On September 16, native New Yorker Julian Velard will release 'No One's Getting Married Tonight,' the next single off his New York City concept album aptly titled If You Don't Like It, You Can Leave. Check out the just-released music video below!

By popular demand, the Hollywood Bowl is once again transformed into the world's largest movie theater for the Grease Sing-A-Long Sunday, July 13, 2014. The show, hosted by Didi Conn ("Frenchy"), will feature the Paramount Pictures film, complete with subtitles so the whole audience can sing along.