Gainsbourg had a near-death experience in 2007, but as she explained, the sound of the MRI scan helped influence her latest album, and her collaborator Beck helped her spin that frightening situation into these beautiful songs.

NPR: Histoire De Charlotte Gainsbourg

During a forceful statement to the judge Monday, Ms. Hill explained she had always meant to eventually pay the taxes but was unable to during a period of time when she dropped out of the music business, echoing a defense she wrote last year in a long post online.

WSJ: Lauryn Hill Sentencedfor Failing to Pay Taxes

Politely and with regret, she explained that she had a dinner engagement later that evening, but would he like to come inside, for a drink?

NEWYORKER: Pumpkin Head

Adam explained that we were taking my mother's ashes to visit her parents, but that she had to make the journey in shadow.

WSJ: Tess Gerritsen on Taking Her Mother's Ashes to China | Traveler's Tale