Books

Books

Rebecca Makkai on her novel 'I Have Some Questions For You'

8:02am February 18, 2023

by Scott Simon

A podcaster returns to her boarding school decades after a classmate was murdered to rehash the crime. NPR's Scott Simon talks with Rebecca Makkai about her novel, "I Have Some Questions For You."

Books

Jac Jemc on her new novel 'Empty Theatre'

8:02am February 18, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to author Jac Jemc bout her new novel, "Empty Theatre." It's a satirical re-imagining of the relationship between King Ludwig of Bavaria and Empress Sisi of Hungary.

His Dark Materials on HBO is an adaptation of Philip Pullman's fantasy trilogy.

Books
Arts

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

5:00pm February 17, 2023

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Scriptnotes podcast, Elissa Bassist's Hysterical, and more.

Books
Arts

The human sensory experience is limited. Journey into the world that animals know

2:08pm February 17, 2023

by Terry Gross

Science writer Ed Yong recently won the Carnegie Medal for Excellence for An Immense World, his book about the diversity of perception in the animal world. Originally broadcast June 22, 2022.

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Books

Bozoma Saint John writes of love, loss and survival in 'The Urgent Life'

5:08am February 16, 2023

NPR's Asma Khalid speaks with Bozoma Saint John about her memoir: The Urgent Life.

Book sales are declining, but not in the romance genre

6:42pm February 14, 2023

Romance books are on the rise, even as overall book sales are declining. NPR's Juana Summers visited a romance book club at Baltimore's Charm City Books to see what brings readers to the genre.

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New book looks at love and heartbreak, both romantic and familial

5:25pm February 14, 2023

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Camonghne Felix about her new memoir, Dyscalculia: A Love Story of Epic Miscalculation.

On Writing and Failure, by Stephen Marche

Books
Arts

Want to be a writer? This bleak but buoyant guide says to get used to rejection

2:11pm February 14, 2023

by Maureen Corrigan

On Writing and Failure isn't your standard meditation on the art and nobility of writing as a profession; instead, author Stephen Marche argues writers should be prepared to fail — again and again.

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'All the Beauty in the World' conveys Met guard's profound appreciation for art

6:31am February 14, 2023

by Heller McAlpin

Patrick Bringley's story — he jumped off the career ladder, deliberately taking a position divorced from ambition in order to find the space for quiet contemplation — is oddly suited to our times.

Mark O'Connor celebrates 50 years as a musician with a new memoir

5:09am February 14, 2023

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with musician Mark O'Connor about his memoir, Crossing Bridges, that recounts his journey from multi-instrumentalist child prodigy to world class fiddler.