Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchTwo New Memoirs About Affliction
Episode 388
In 2017, Frank Bruni suffered a stroke while sleeping in the middle of the night, an event that led to blindness in his right eye. His new memoir, “T…
4 years, 6 months ago
The Invention of the Index
Episode 387
You probably take the index for granted. It might be hard to remember that the handy list of subjects at the back of a book, with the corresponding p…
4 years, 6 months ago
Jennifer Haigh on 'Mercy Street'
Episode 386
Jennifer Haigh’s new novel, “Mercy Street” — which Richard Russo calls “extraordinary” in his review — is about a woman named Claudia who works at a …
4 years, 6 months ago
A Spiritual, Dangerous Quest in the Himalayas
Episode 385
Harley Rustad’s new book, “Lost in the Valley of Death,” is about an American adventurer named Justin Alexander Shetler, who went on a quest in the H…
4 years, 6 months ago
Ruta Sepetys Talks About 'I Must Betray You'
Episode 384
Ruta Sepetys writes Y.A. historical fiction that draws plenty of adult readers as well. Her new novel, “I Must Betray You,” is about a Romanian teena…
4 years, 7 months ago
Imani Perry Talks About 'South to America'
Episode 383
Imani Perry’s new book, “South to America,” joins a tradition of books that travel the South to find keys to the United States: its foundations, its …
4 years, 7 months ago
The Chinese Language Revolution
Episode 382
Jing Tsu’s new book, “Kingdom of Characters,” is about the long and concerted efforts of linguists, activists and others to adapt Chinese writing to …
4 years, 7 months ago
Robert Gottlieb on ‘Garbo’ and ‘Babbitt’
Episode 381
The writer and editor Robert Gottlieb does double duty on this week’s podcast. He talks about the life and career of Sinclair Lewis, on the occasion …
4 years, 7 months ago
The Second Annual Listeners’ Questions Episode
Episode 380
Throughout the year, we hear from many of you, and are always glad when we do. From time to time, we try to answer some of your questions on the podc…
4 years, 7 months ago
David Sedaris’s Diaries and Paul McCartney’s Songs
Episode 379
David Sedaris’s second volume of diaries, “A Carnival of Snackery,” covers the years 2003 to 2020. On this week's podcast, he talks about the diaries…
4 years, 8 months ago