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A growing number of TV series are now available on the DVD market. Television shows on DVD make up a reported 10 percent of all DVD sales and rake in $1.5 billion, a rise of roughly 60 percent over the previous year. TK Arnold of Video Store magazine says more than 3,300 titles are currently available. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and Arnold.

Author Colson Whitehead roamed the streets of New York for years, noting the many small details that make up the life of the city. His new book of essays, The Colossus of New York, tries to capture the essence of the Big Apple. Jon Kalish reports.

Dream Jungle is the third novel by Jessica Hagedorn, who was born and raised in the Philippines. Hagedorn places the story in her home country in the 1970s, and weaves together several narratives involving a number of characters, including a young country girl, an urban businessman and an American journalist. Alan Cheuse reviews the book.

Art Carney died Sunday at age 85; a small, private funeral service for the the popular actor was held Tuesday. Carney is most fondly remembered for playing Jackie Gleason's pal Ed Norton on The Honeymooners. He later won the 1974 Oscar for best actor in Harry and Tonto.

James Carter, the lead singer of "Po' Lazarus," the opening song on the Grammy award-winning soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou?, died Nov. 26. He was 77. Folk music collector Alan Lomax recorded Carter singing "Po' Lazarus" in 1959, while the latter worked on a chain gang at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman. NPR's Bob Edward has a remembrance.

Daniel Bergner's book, In the Land of Magic Soldiers, tells the stories of victims and perpetrators in Sierra Leone's brutal civil war, and the efforts to rebuild the nation. He finds a country so devastated that its people often plead for a return to British rule. Hear NPR's Melissa Block.

Critics have rarely embraced Stephen King as a serious writer. But the prolific novelist, best known for his horror stories, is about to enter some serious company. The National Book Foundation is honoring the best-selling author with a lifetime achievement award whose previous recipients have included Arthur Miller, Eudora Welty and John Updike. King discusses the award and his writing with NPR's Susan Stamberg.

The Barbarian Invasions, winner of the "Best Screenplay" and "Best Actress" awards at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, opens in U.S. theaters. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Austin City Limits, the PBS music program, has presented the likes of Willie Nelson, Johnnie Cash, and Ray Charles since 1975. The show is now honored as a 2003 National Medal of Arts winner. NPR's Renee Montagne reports.

A growing number of American movies are being filmed in Vancouver, Canada. The city offers a similar look to U.S. cities, experienced crews, tax breaks and lower production costs due to the difference between American and Canadian dollars. Trevor Hughes reports.