By Eileen Fleming

Host, chef, and food expert Poppy Tooker talks oysters to a New Orleans chef, an oysterman and a marine biologist about what the future holds for these fine delicacies.

Today on "The Sound of Books" with Fred Kasten - conversation with New Orleans writer M. H. Herlong, the author of the widely acclaimed, award-winning novel The Great Wide Sea, which is just out in paperback...

To find out more about M. H. Herlong, and The Great Wide Sea, please click here .

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans – Bob Thomas, head of the Loyola Center for Environmental Communications talks about oil plumes, sand berms and wind patterns related to the oil spill

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says underwater robots have managed to get through the first phase of the latest engineering system.

"For the first time in a couple of days I have some good news. We have just cut the pipe off the lower marine package."

By Ian McNulty

New Orleans, La. –

It's been anything but smooth sailing for the Louisiana oyster industry recently. Destructive hurricanes in 2005 and 2008 wrecked boats and docks and buried oyster beds under storm-driven mud. The federal government has threatened to limit seasonal sales of its fresh product through pending regulation. And now, of course, a wave of oil unleashed by BP's engineering disaster in the Gulf has brought new peril for the oyster harvest and those who earn their living by it.

New Orleans, LA – New Orleans hotels join a class action lawsuit against BP, Susan Larson Talks with John McGill of the Historic New Orleans Collection, Chris Edmunds of the Louisiana Composers Forum. Story Corps New Orleans with Lynette Bates and her brother.

Henry "Junior" Rodriguez spent his life in St. Bernard Parish, serving 32 years in political office. He became a national figure after Hurricane Katrina as an advocate for restoring not only the communities, but also the coastal areas.

In this conversation recorded March 27, 2010, he speaks with media producer Jared Serigne about the importance of barrier islands to protecting wetlands, and how to stay involved in protecting the coast - even for those not interested in political office.

By Fred Kasten

New Orleans – Today - on "The Sound of Books" - with Fred Kasten - conversation with New Orleans writer and Tulane law professor Oliver Houck - whose new book is "Down on the Batture"...

For more information on "Down on the Batture" - please click here .

To findout more about Oliver Houck's June 2, 2010 signing at Octavia Books - please click here .