Patricia Neal had a way of mesmerizing people with her molasses-flecked-with-grit voice. She passed away at the age of 84.

Mary Roach is a fan of pot bellies. Find out what other favorite things she revealed after her appearance on The Leonard Lopate Show.

What is Rick Moody's favorite novel? Read more to find out!

Ashley Judd came on The Leonard Lopate Show to talk about her favorite book, what she is a fan of and more!

What is David Rabe's favorite novel? Read more to find out what he revealed to us after his appearance on The Leonard Lopate Show.

Novelist Carl Hiaasen came on The Leonard Lopate Show to discuss some of his favorite picks.

Find out about some of Gary Shteyngart's favorite picks after appearing on The Leonard Lopate Show.

Steven Adler is a fan of cartoons! Find out what else he revealed to us after his appearance on The Leonard Lopate Show.

Longtime NPR contributor Daniel Schorr earned his reputation as a legendary journalist the hard way – by breaking stories during the Cold War and Watergate that won him numerous awards – not to mention the scorn of various presidents.  He died at the age of 93.  He was last on with Leonard Lopate in 2008, and you can hear him discuss his 50 years of covering politics.

The veteran stage actor helped found the Met Theater in Los Angeles, and starred in many a Sam Shepard play. James Gammon died at the age of 70 just recently.

Rubén Blades is a fan of comic books! Find out what else he revealed to us after his recent appearance on The Leonard Lopate Show.

What is Vendela Vida's favorite film? Find out what she told us after her recent appearance on The Leonard Lopate Show!

Rob Sheffield came on The Leonard Lopate Show to discuss his favorite books, music and more!

David Mitchell tells us some of his favorite books, music and more after his appearance on The Leonard Lopate Show.

Rick Bayless came on The Leonard Lopate Show to discuss ballroom dancing, winning "Top Chef Masters" and more!

This is kind of a no-brainer, bacon, lettuce and tomato being such a beloved sandwich combo, especially when there’s a good smear of mayo.  This guacamole is in the same vein, except that the tangy, creamy mayo is replaced by avocado and lime.  Come to think of it, the avocado, along with a little cilantro, brings the lettuce-green to the picture as well.  It’s a perfect Mexican-American fusion of smoky, bright, creamy, fresh and satisfying.

If the tomato is really ripe and juicy, I’d cut it in half widthwise (across its “equator”), then gently squeeze out the jelly-like seeds from each half.  That’ll keep the guacamole from becoming runny.  And to ensure crisp bacon texture, don’t stir it in until just before serving.

Most people stumble on the first ingredient of these incredibly delicious margaritas.  Cucumbers in a margarita?  Sounds like creativity gone awry to some, while those thinking outside the box imagine the refreshing, melon-like flavor that cucumber can offer to sweetened lime and tequila.  No orange liqueur here to dull the crisp freshness.   

Underground comic book author Harvey Pekar died at 70.

Michael Tracy is a fan of Mozart. Find out what else he revealed to us after his appearance on The Leonard Lopate Show.