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NPR's Book of the Day Plus

NPR

NPR's Book of the Day Plus

NPR

In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone's talking about? NPR's Book of the Day gives you today's very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast. Whether you're looking to engage with the big questions of our times – or temporarily escape from them – we've got an author who will speak to you, all genres, mood and writing styles included. Catch today's great books in 15 minutes or less. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Book of the Day.

5 HOURS AGO

Gov. Andy Beshear on how the midterms will help him weigh his presidential run

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is the author of a new book called Go And Do Likewise: How We Heal A Broken Country. Beshear is a rare Democratic leader in an otherwise majority Republican voting state – and has said he is weighing a presidential run. In hi...

Gov. Andy Beshear on how the midterms will help him weigh his presidential run

1 DAYS AGO

John Green on 'Hollywood, Ending,' his first novel for adults

John Green is known for his influential young adult fiction like Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars and Turtles All the Way Down. His new book, Hollywood, Ending, is his first novel for adults. The story takes place during the fictional filming of ...

John Green on 'Hollywood, Ending,' his first novel for adults

4 DAYS AGO

Lois Lowry on 'Building 903,' 'The Giver' and relationships between the old and young

It’s been more than a decade since Lois Lowry has dealt with the end of the world. Her 1993 YA dystopian novel The Giver became a hugely popular middle school staple. She expanded that universe into a quartet of novels wrapping up with 2012’s Son (her pers...

Lois Lowry on 'Building 903,' 'The Giver' and relationships between the old and young

5 DAYS AGO

In 'Roll the Calls,' Hollywood's Ari Emanuel reflects on the art of agenting

Ari Emanuel is a powerful Hollywood agent who has represented clients including Oprah Winfrey, Martin Scorsese and Vince McMahon. Known for his brash approach to business, he was the model for the character Ari Gold on Entourage. In an interview with Morni...

In 'Roll the Calls,' Hollywood's Ari Emanuel reflects on the art of agenting

6 DAYS AGO

A conversation with Tomi Adeyemi on her new novel 'The Siren'

The author Tomi Adeyemi rose to fame with Children of Blood and Bone, the first novel in her popular young adult fantasy series based on the Yoruba religion. That book is the subject of a long-awaited Hollywood adaptation set to come out in January. Now, A...

A conversation with Tomi Adeyemi on her new novel 'The Siren'

6 DAYS AGO

In 'History by a Hair,' DNA offers answers to an old question about Thomas Jefferson

For more than 200 years, one question about the nation's third president has lingered: Did Thomas Jefferson father children with Sally Hemings, a woman 30 years his junior whom he held in slavery? Richard Kurin, a scholar and ambassador-at-large for the Sm...

In 'History by a Hair,' DNA offers answers to an old question about Thomas Jefferson

Oct 05

'Pachinko' author Min Jin Lee says writing 'American Hagwon' transformed her

John and Helen Koh are a middle-class couple living in South Korea with. But when a financial crisis hits, they leave Seoul for Southern California and are faced with a new financial reality. There, they struggle to find a place for their children among th...

'Pachinko' author Min Jin Lee says writing 'American Hagwon' transformed her

Oct 02

A visit with Barbara Kingsolver: We talk 'Partita,' piano, aging and Appalachia

Before she won the Pulitzer for Demon Copperhead, Kingsolver wasn't sure her neighbors knew what she did for a living. Her new novel Partita, about a classical pianist, gets very personal. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcas...

A visit with Barbara Kingsolver: We talk 'Partita,' piano, aging and Appalachia

Oct 01

'Profiles in Cowardice' argues leaders failed to push back against President Trump

John F. Kennedy once wrote a book called Profiles in Courage, which highlighted senators throughout history who made unpopular but politically brave decisions. Journalist Jacob Weisberg took inspiration from this premise, but his new book Profiles in Cowar...

'Profiles in Cowardice' argues leaders failed to push back against President Trump

Sep 30

In 'Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel,' Lucy Foley continues Agatha Christie's legacy

The Grand Alpine Hotel is majestic, nestled high in the Swiss Alps with snow perfect for skiing. But one morning, a dead body is discovered in one of the gondolas on its first run – and before long, no one can get off the mountain. That's the opening of Mu...

In 'Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel,' Lucy Foley continues Agatha Christie's legacy

Sep 29

'Redwood' is a true tale of a KGB agent who offered to spy for Britain

Ben Macintyre is a master of espionage stories that are true. His latest project is based on a case study taught in MI6, the British foreign intelligence service. Redwood follows a KGB spy who offers valuable secrets to Britain while working in Iran during...

'Redwood' is a true tale of a KGB agent who offered to spy for Britain

Sep 28

'Taipei Story' is a more personal novel from 'Yellowface' author R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang, author of popular books like Yellowface and Babel, is out with a more personal novel. Taipei Story follows Lily Chin, a Chinese-American college student who travels to Taipei for a summer language intensive. While there, she struggles with comp...

'Taipei Story' is a more personal novel from 'Yellowface' author R.F. Kuang

Sep 25

'Tropesick' and 'Extracurricular' are romance novels that subvert genre expectations

Two new romance novels subvert expectations about the genre. In Tropesick, Katie and Tyler are old acquaintances who are reunited as writing partners. In today’s episode, author Lauren Okie chats with All Things Considered’s Juana Summers about structuring...

'Tropesick' and 'Extracurricular' are romance novels that subvert genre expectations

Sep 24

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on why he’s the 'worst possible spokesperson' for his own book

Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox is out with a new book – but he wants to clarify that he’s not running for president (often an assumption when politicians write books). Off Ramp: How To Be A Peacemaker In An Age Of Contempt is an extension of a plea he ma...

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on why he’s the 'worst possible spokesperson' for his own book

Sep 23

Emily St. John Mandel's 'Exit Party' opens in the wake of a second American Civil War

Emily St. John Mandel’s new novel opens in the first spring after the collapse of the United States – and her protagonist, Ari, is on her way to a party. Exit Party is set in a new world emerging out of the chaos of a second American Civil War, one shaped ...

Emily St. John Mandel's 'Exit Party' opens in the wake of a second American Civil War

Sep 22

'Grit' author Angela Duckworth on how changing your situation can lead to success

In her 2016 book Grit, University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth argued that willpower and determination were keys to success. A decade later, her new book signals a change of heart. In Situated, Duckworth says – while grit still matters – c...

'Grit' author Angela Duckworth on how changing your situation can lead to success

Sep 21

'Conclave' author Robert Harris is out with a fictional Roman Empire memoir

Conclave author Robert Harris has returned to Rome with a fictional memoir of Agrippa, a military genius and trusted ally of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus. In the memoir, the general doesn’t have much time left and is ready to divulge a life story fill...

'Conclave' author Robert Harris is out with a fictional Roman Empire memoir

Sep 18

In new memoir, Colin Kaepernick reflects on his historic national anthem protest

Ten years ago, Colin Kaepernick – then the quarterback for the 49ers – took a knee during the national anthem in a preseason game in order to protest racial injustice. His new memoir The Perilous Fight reflects on that decision. In a conversation with Morn...

In new memoir, Colin Kaepernick reflects on his historic national anthem protest

Sep 17

'Seasons of Fury' traces the roots of Islamophobia in the United States

In the post-9/11 era, American Muslims became the target of government suspicion and surveillance. But while reporting her new book, New York Times Magazine journalist Rozina Ali found that Islamophobia has been present in the United States since at least ...

'Seasons of Fury' traces the roots of Islamophobia in the United States

Sep 16

Katherine Rundell says it's a mistake for adults to discard children's literature

Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures series follows two kid heroes on their journey to save a group of islands filled with magical beasts. She’s the first children's author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously top the U.K. and U.S. sales charts. Now, R...

Katherine Rundell says it's a mistake for adults to discard children's literature