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Best-selling mystery novelist James Patterson may be known for his thrillers, but the little book that profoundly influenced his writing was far less conspicuous. Mrs. Bridge, the tale of a Kansas City husband and wife, would stay with him forever.

A blockbuster Korean novel has just been translated into English, in which a mother from the country goes missing in Seoul. Fresh Air's Maureen Corrigan says the book delves deeply into traditional values, putting the mother's melancholy squarely on the shoulders of her grown (unappreciative) children.

The American Red Cross unveils a series of corporate-governance changes, responding to stinging criticism about how the agency dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The changes include cutting the size of the board by more than half and explicitly delegating responsibility for day-to-day operations to the Red Cross' full-time professional management.

Geoff Dyer spent two weeks aboard the U.S.S. George H.W. Bush for his book Another Great Day at Sea. He talks with Fresh Air about his book, and the carrier's latest position for possible air strikes.

Angelina Jolie's latest role, as the leading lady in the film Beyond Borders, served to focus her attention on the plight of the world's refugees. She tells NPR's Scott Simon about this eye-opening experience and about her work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The New York Times made news this week when it announced Jill Abramson's departure. For a deeper understanding of the paper's history, author Kevin Roose recommends Hard News by Seth Mnookin.

The new documentary Imelda examines the life of Imelda Marcos, the ousted first lady of the Philippines. Filmmaker Ramona Diaz says Imelda Marcos' life and 20-year rule with her husband, the late Ferdinand Marcos, reflect their country's dramatic political history. Diaz talks with NPR's Bob Edwards.

Josh Thomas, 27, stars in the show geared toward 20-somethings on the new cable channel Pivot. He talks about coming out to his dad via text message and dealing with his mom's suicide attempts.

After nearly 30 years, 20 albums and countless concerts, the acclaimed vocal ensemble has announced the 2015-16 season will be its last. Hear a preview of the group's forthcoming album love fail.

In fiction, the old world of ex-pat print journalists in Rome beckons. If you'd rather face the facts, there's unconventional parenting advice or Atul Gawande's prescriptions for modern surgeons. Plus memoirs by novelist Siri Hustvedt and rocker Ozzy Osbourne, and a biography of Warren Beatty.

Jan Berry, one half of the '60s musical duo Jan and Dean, dies at 62. William Jan Berry and Dean Torrence produced a string of gold records, including "Surf City" and "Little Old Lady from Pasadena." Berry spent nearly a year in a coma after a 1966 car accident. Hear NPR's Howard Berkes.

A new study looks at the role 'sponsors' play in making people successful at work. Research shows minorities lag behind their white colleagues when it comes to finding senior allies in the office who can advocate for them. Host Michel Martin speaks with the study's author, Sylvia Ann Hewlett, and career coach Robert Rodriguez.