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Lynn Neary

Lynn Neary is an NPR arts correspondent covering books and publishing.

Not only does she report on the business of books and explore literary trends and ideas, Neary has also met and profiled many of her favorite authors. She has wandered the streets of Baltimore with Anne Tyler and the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains with Richard Powers. She has helped readers discover great new writers like Tommy Orange, author of There, There, and has introduced them to future bestsellers like A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.

Arriving at NPR in 1982, Neary spent two years working as a newscaster on Morning Edition. For the next eight years, Neary was the host of Weekend All Things Considered. Throughout her career at NPR, she has been a frequent guest host on all of NPR's news programs including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, and Talk of the Nation.

In 1992, Neary joined the cultural desk to develop NPR's first religion beat. As religion correspondent, Neary covered the country's diverse religious landscape and the politics of the religious right.

Neary has won numerous prestigious awards including the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Gold Award, an Ohio State Award, an Association of Women in Radio and Television Award, and the Gabriel award. For her reporting on the role of religion in the debate over welfare reform, Neary shared in NPR's 1996 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton Award.

A graduate of Fordham University, Neary thinks she may be the envy of English majors everywhere.

  • The National Book Awards, announced Wednesday night, honored both longtime writers and new authors, from Louise Erdrich for her novel The Round House, to Katherine Boo for her debut nonfiction work, Behind the Beautiful Forevers.
  • Irish writer Colm Toibin's novella recounts familiar stories of the New Testament, as seen through the eyes of Jesus' mother. But this isn't the iconic blushing virgin you're used to seeing. Toibin's Mary is modeled after the fierce heroines of Greek tragedies — and she is filled with anger.
  • Lynn Neary speaks with four NPR correspondents who cover presidential cabinet offices whose chiefs may be replaced, regardless of who wins the presidential election. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton intends to leave the administration even if President Obama continues in office. State Department correspondent Michele Kelemen assesses who the president might choose to replace her or who Mitt Romney might choose to be his Secretary of State. Defense correspondent Tom Bowman looks at the possibilities of who might replace Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. Justice correspondent Carrie Johnson goes over the names in play among Democrats and Republicans for the Attorney General's office. And John Ydstie takes a look at who might be the next Secretary of the Treasury.
  • Lynn Neary talks with Robert Smith, who was covering Election Day in New York.
  • Lynn Neary talks to Jim Zarroli, who was covering Election Day in New Jersey.
  • Voters across the country cast ballots on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the presidential candidates spent their days very differently. Lynn Neary checks in with Ari Shapiro who spent the day with Mitt Romney and Scott Horsley who was with President Obama.
  • Lynn Neary talks with Jeff Brady, who was covering Election Day in Colorado.
  • Lynn Neary talks with Tamara Keith, who was covering Election Day in Ohio.
  • Lynn Neary talks with Greg Allen, who was covering Election Day in Florida.
  • Voters encountered long lines at the polls and scattered problems on Tuesday. Many of the difficulties were in the New York and New Jersey areas where some voters had to cast ballots in the dark or were confused about where to vote. There was also confusion about ID requirements in Pennsylvania, and some confrontations involving poll watchers.