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R.F. Kuang's 'Yellowface' tackles cultural appropriation in publishing
Early in the novel Yellowface, a prominent Asian-American writer, Athena Liu, dies. Her white friend, who is struggling to break through in publishin…
3 years, 1 month ago
A new biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. explores the activist's life and faith
King:A Life, the new biography by Jonathan Eig, provides a fresh perspective into the life of one of America's most important activists. From his upb…
3 years, 1 month ago
Two books look back on family histories and secrets
Today's episode is about untangling and understanding untold family stories. First, Burkhard Bilger speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about his memoir, F…
3 years, 1 month ago
Lucinda Williams' memoir looks back on a career defying expectations
Suitcases symbolize a lot for three-time Grammy winner Lucinda Williams. She tells NPR's Juana Summers she keeps a briefcase of musical references to…
3 years, 1 month ago
'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…
3 years, 1 month ago
Matika Wilbur honors and celebrates Native American Tribal Nations in 'Project 562'
Matika Wilbur is from the Swinomish and Tulalip tribes in Washington state. In 2012, she left Seattle with one goal: to photograph and interview memb…
3 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…
3 years, 1 month ago
Two novels depict young men understanding themselves and the danger around them
Today's episode features two novels with two very different protagonists, though their journeys might have more in common than appears at first glanc…
3 years, 1 month ago
In 'Soul Boom,' Rainn Wilson calls for a spiritual revolution
Actor Rainn Wilson says he's "always identified as being a dork and a misfit and an outsider." In fact, he says that's probably why he found so much …
3 years, 2 months ago
In 'Miles Morales Suspended,' Spider-Man grapples with racism and saving the world
Miles Morales, the beloved protagonist of Jason Reynolds' Spider-Man novel, is back. And this time, he's dealing with in-school suspension for challe…
3 years, 2 months ago