Star-Crossed Love

In honor of Valentine's Day, This American Life brings you stories of how love blossoms, even when (perhaps) it shouldn't. Prologue: Host Ira Glass talks to Chicago Tribune newspaper columnist Amy Dickinson ("Ask Amy"), the heir to Ann Landers, as she reads letters from those readers who don't yet know their love is doomed. (7 minutes) Prisoner Of Love: Shant Kenderian reads from his memoir 1001 Nights In the Iraqi Army: The True Story of a Chicago Student Held as a POW By the Americans During Desert Storm. During the first Persian Gulf war, Shant (reluctantly) fought for Saddam Hussein. After he was captured by the Americans, he and a female soldier fell for each other. His book is an eBook. (25 minutes) The Diary Of Mrs. Sam Horrigan.: Sixteen-year-old Catalina Puente, one of WNYC's Radio Rookies, gets caught up in a complete and total obsession when a student shows up at her high school looking just like Sam Horrigan, a little-known TV actor she likes. This story was produced by Czerina Patel at Radio Rookies. (13 minutes) So A Squirrel And A Chipmunk Walk Into A Bar: David Sedaris reads his new fable about a squirrel, a chipmunk, and a love that could never be. He's the author of many books, including Dress Your Family in Cordoroy and Denim. (8 minutes)