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Book reviews and concert previews brought to you by Betsy Burton, co-owner of The King's English Bookshop, and Austen Diamond, producer of 13% Salt. Books & Beats airs Saturdays at 7:35 a.m. and 9:35 a.m. during NPR's Weekend Edition.

Books & Beats: August 29, 2015

Courtesy of the Artist
Aloe Blacc performs at Deer Valley's Big Stars, Bright Nights concert series on September 6th.

In Best Boy(Liveright Publishing Corporation) by Eli Gottlieb, autistic protagonist Todd Aaron grows suspicious of the new faces at his assisted living center—a new staff member and a roommate with a brain injury.  Betsy Burton says “Todd’s literal mind and exact reporting make for the wryest of commentary, and some scenes are howlingly funny.”

Austen Diamond says it’s easy to get caught up in the feel-good grooves of Aloe Blacc.  Catch his September 6th performance at Deer Valley’s Big Stars, Bright Nights concert series.

Singer-songwriter The White Buffalo plays at The State Room on Tuesday, September 1st.

Shuggie Otis—the man behind the hit “Strawberry Letter 23”—performs at Urban Lounge on Thursday, September 3rd

Tracks heard on this Books & Beats:

1: “The Man” by Aloe Blacc

2:  “Sleepy Little Town” by The White Buffalo

3: “Strawberry Letter 23” by Shuggie Otis

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