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Salman Rushdie doesn't really have any favorite words, but he explains why he likes "funny" and dislikes "fanatical." He also shares his thoughts on Midnight's Children, which was published 30 years ago.

Salman Rushdie joins us for the Leonard Lopate Show Book Club! We’re talking about his 1981 novel, Midnight’s Children. It tells the story of Saleem Sinai, born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947 – the moment that India became an independent nation. His health and well being are tightly tied to his country's, and he is magically, telepathically linked to the 1,000 other children born during India's first hour of life. Salman Rushdie will answer your questions about his magical realist book, which was awarded the 1981 Booker Prize and the James Tait Prize, and it was voted the "Best of the Booker" in 1993 and in 2008.

His most recent novel, Luka and the Fire of Life has just been released in paperback.

Salman Rushdie discusses his book Luka and the Fire of Life.

When it came to writing his new children's book, Luka and the Fire of Life, the novelist Salman Rushdie stuck with his attraction to moody themes. "I've always liked writing that slightly writes against the grain of what it's supposed to be doing," he tells Kurt. ...

Salman Rushdie reads from his new book.

Salman Rushdie has been many things over the years: an award-winning millionaire novelist, a British knight, and of course, the object of an Iranian Ayatollah’s fatwa in the late '80s. But his new novel, “Luka and the Fire of Life,” will likely lead to new titles: videogame master, or perhaps “the next J.K. Rowling.” The novel, inspired in part by his 13-year-old son and the videogames he plays, centers on young Luka and his much older father Rashid. When Rashid mysteriously falls into a deep sleep and can’t be awakened, Luka must travel into the Heart of Magic, battle giants, monsters — and even time itself — to bring back the fire that will save his father’s life.

Salman Rushdie, author of Luka and the Fire of Life, discusses his new book.

Opening night of the PEN World Voice Festival brought together literary superstars from around the world. Listen to an international selection of authors read in their native languages here.

Salman Rushdie, and Caro Llewellyn, PEN World Voices Festival and Public Programs Director, discuss this year’s PEN World Voices Festival.

Is Salman Rushdie a Mets or a Yankees fan? He let us know when he was last on The Leonard Lopate Show.

Weigh in: What was your favorite short story published in the past year?

Event: ...

Event: Salman Rushdie will be speaking and signing books
Wednesday, June 4 at 7 pm
Barnes & Noble Union Square
33 East 17th