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'Burn It Down' exposes discrimination and toxicity behind the scenes in Hollywood
As Hollywood was warming up for a summer of labor strikes a few months ago, Vanity Fair's Maureen Ryan came out with a new book, Burn It Down, that exposed a lot of the abuses many writers, actors an…
Published on 2 years ago
'Loot' traces the love, war and art that shaped India's colonial history
In her new novel Loot, Tania James writes of a 17-year-old woodworker who's commissioned to build a tiger automaton for the Indian ruler Tipu Sultan in the 18th century. The story is inspired by the …
Published on 2 years ago
Two graphic memoirs explore growing up as a minority in the U.S.
Today's episode features interviews with two highly accomplished artists who've written graphic memoirs about the intricacies of growing up as young men of color in the U.S. First, NPR's Ayesha Rasco…
Published on 2 years ago
In 'Blackouts,' Justin Torres shines a light on silenced LGBTQ history
The new novel and National Book Awards finalist by Justin Torres, Blackouts, blurs the line between fiction and history to bring marginalized queer narratives to life. In today's episode, Torres spea…
Published on 2 years ago
Jonathan Eig's biography of MLK explores the activist's life and faith
King:A Life, the biography by Jonathan Eig, provides a fresh perspective into the life of one of America's most important activists. From his upbringing in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward neighborhood to h…
Published on 2 years, 1 month ago
In 'The Covenant of Water,' Abraham Verghese traces an Indian family's drowning curse
The Covenant of Water follows three generations of a family in the coastal state of Kerala, India, where they're haunted by a devastating event, over and over: In every generation, someone in the fam…
Published on 2 years, 1 month ago
Discover your next great read with NPR's Books We Love
Back for its 11th year, Books We Love curates NPR staff and critics' favorite books of the year. You can discover your next great read or find the perfect gift for a literary loved one using our inte…
Published on 2 years, 1 month ago
Jamie Loftus' 'Raw Dog' investigates the social and culinary history of the hot dog
Comedian Jamie Loftus has been eating hot dogs her whole life. But in her new book, Raw Dog, she takes a road trip across the U.S. to discover how they're prepared in different parts of the country, …
Published on 2 years, 1 month ago
Henry Winkler and Arnold Schwarzenegger's memoirs open up about the fear of failing
Today's episode features interviews with two giants in pop culture who get very real about the pitfalls in their personal and professional lives. First, NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Henry Winkler a…
Published on 2 years, 1 month ago
Max Brooks teaches kids life lessons through the world of 'Minecraft'
The Minecraft trilogy by Max Brooks is about two humans – Guy and Summer – who get trapped in the world of the video game Minecraft and have to find their way out. In today's episode, Brooks speaks w…
Published on 2 years, 1 month ago