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'Late Bloomers' is a novel about arranged marriage, divorce and dating later in life
Dating can be difficult and confusing at any age – but especially after the end of a 36-year arranged marriage. The characters of Deepa Varadarajan's…
2 years, 5 months ago
Kaveh Akbar's novel 'Martyr!' is a journey of identity, addiction and poetry
Halfway through today's episode, author Kaveh Akbar tells NPR's Scott Simon that his life is a summation of "private joys amidst collective grief and…
2 years, 5 months ago
In 'The Bullet Swallower,' the wild, wild West meets magical realism
The titular protagonist of Elizabeth Gonzalez James' new novel, The Bullet Swallower, is rooted in a story she once heard about her great-grandfather…
2 years, 5 months ago
'Only Say Good Things' chronicles Crystal Hefner's life at the Playboy mansion
Crystal Harris was only 21 when she entered the Playboy mansion for the first time. Within a few days, the college student moved in. She later marrie…
2 years, 5 months ago
'Black Sheep' and 'This Wretched Valley' use horror to question morality
It's never too early for spooky season. Today, we've got two horror books that explore relationships, cynicism and arrogance. First, NPR's Ayesha Ras…
2 years, 5 months ago
Michele Norris' 'Our Hidden Conversations' examines race and identity in the U.S.
More than a decade ago, former NPR host Michele Norris started the Race Card Project. It was a simple premise: She asked people to send in six words …
2 years, 5 months ago
'Soundtrack of Silence' is a touching memoir about music and hearing loss
Matt Hay grew up with a medical condition that eventually diminished his ability to hear. But in the process of going deaf, he memorized his favorite…
2 years, 5 months ago
Efrén C. Olivares' memoir recounts family separations at the border
Efrén C. Olivares is a human rights lawyer – and he tells Here & Now's Deepa Fernandes that some of the toughest conversations he's ever had were dur…
2 years, 5 months ago
Claire Keegan's new book of stories explores tension, drama and gender dynamics
Three short stories comprise So Late in the Day, the new book by the highly acclaimed Irish writer, Claire Keegan. All three revolve around the ways …
2 years, 5 months ago
Adam Kinzinger, Mitt Romney and the evolution of the Republican party
Today's episode focuses on two Republican legislators who, over time, came to feel like outsiders for sounding alarms about Trump. First, NPR's Scott…
2 years, 5 months ago