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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: November 5, 2016

Courtesy of the Artist
Amanda Shires will be at The State Room on Wednesday, November 9.

The Girl from Venice (Simon & Schuster) is the latest thriller from Martin Cruz Smith.  The story blends together two of Shakespeare’s plays: “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” and “The Taming of the Shrew.”  In her review, Betsy Burton says the book is “a finely honed, often funny, and utterly romantic tale of Italy at the end of World War II.”

Austen Diamond’s concert picks this week include Trails and Ways.  The band describes their sound as “Bossa Nova dream pop.”  They’ll be at Kilby Court on Sunday, November 13th.

Post-rock band Caspian plays at Urban Lounge on Tuesday, November 8th.

Amanda Shires, member of her husband Jason Isbell’s band, has her own solo career.  She’ll perform at The State Room on Wednesday, November 9th.

Music heard on this Books & Beats:

1: “How Do I Turn” by Trails and Ways

2: “Get Loud,” also by Trails and Ways

3: “Hymn for the Greatest Generation” by Caspian

4: “The Way it Dimmed” by Amanda Shires  

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