Wally Lamb typically writes sprawling works that deal with difficult subjects but his new book is a breezy novella that's perfect for the holiday season. "Wishin' and Hopin: A Christmas Story" is set in a Connecticut parochial school in 1964 and the main event is a Christmas pageant that goes hilariously wrong. It's a great read and Wally joins us to talk about it.

The governor of Indiana thinks that economically-troubled, Gary, Indiana, ought to merge with other local governments to save money.  We speak to Jon Seidel, who covers the city for the Post Tribune in northwest Indiana.

US officials are investigating Dr. Anthony Galea for practicing medicine in the US without a license.  They are also interested in whether he provided performance-enhancing drugs to professional athletes.   Dr. Galea has used a legal medical treatment, called platelet-rich plasma therapy, on Tiger Woods.  We speak to Christine Brennan, sports columnist, for USA Today.

Our listeners weigh in — about Tiger Woods and more; and Robin's essay about some notable athletes she's met in the past.

Anne Heaton has been pretty much on tour non-stop since she visited our studios last March to talk about her CD release called “Blazing Red.” The New York Times calls “Jump,” the lead track on the recording “absolutely gorgeous.” We revisit our conversation with the singer-songwriter, who is appearing in Philadelphia tonight with Winterbloom, her quartet that performs traditional and original holiday songs.