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Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the hugely popular "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series. The Full Cupboard of Life, set in Botswana, is the fifth book in the series. Detective Precious Ramotswe is also back. She helps people in her close-knit community deal with the little incidents of life. Hear Smith and NPR's Scott Simon.

In Las Vegas, close to 2,600 hopeful card sharks have entered the World Series of Poker, playing rounds of a game called Texas Hold 'Em. Older poker players are marveling at the new crop of players, and the loads of fresh money at stake: The winner stands to rake in a $5-million jackpot. NPR's Mike Pesca reports.

Saxophonist and composer Joe Lovano drops by the studio to chat with NPR's Tony Cox about his latest project out on Blue Note Records, I'm All For You, a collection of ballads.

Although he died almost 80 years ago, Harry Houdini is still one of the world's best-known escape artists. This week, a new exhibition about Houdini opens in Appleton, Wis. But some modern day conjurers want part of the show to disappear. Harriet Baskas reports.

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Turkish bass baritone Burak Bilgili about being asked to fill in as Leporello in the New York Metropolitan Opera's production of Mozart's Don Giovanni.

When the game of chess spread from the Middle East to Europe, there was no piece representing a queen. When the icon emerged around the year 1000, it was the weakest piece on the board. But by the time Queen Isabel of Spain became more powerful than her husband in the 1400s, the chess queen's power was unmatched. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and Marilyn Yalom, author of Birth of the Chess Queen.

After five decades of pop hits, Neil Sedaka is preparing for a Carnegie Hall concert of Yiddish music. NPR's Scott Simon talks with the entertainer about his lengthy career and return to his musical Jewish roots.

Author Ron Chernow releases Alexander Hamilton, his new biography of the first secretary of the Treasury. The book traces Hamilton's life from his childhood on the West Indies island of Nevis to his early designs for the American economy and his death in a duel with then-Vice President Aaron Burr. NPR's Liane Hansen speaks with Chernow.

The band Modest Mouse has released their first album in four years. The group often referred to as the perfect indie-rock band suddenly finds itself enjoying pop success that had eluded it for 10 years. Mikel Jollett has a review of their new CD, Good News for People who Love Bad News.

To celebrate bassist Ron Carter's 85th birthday, hear a conversation with Ron and our host Christian McBride with music handpicked from Ron Carter's storied discography.