Books

Books

Director Jeymes Samuel on 'Book of Clarence', a Biblical Epic through a Black lens

8:17am January 14, 2024

by Ayesha Rascoe

A hustler presents himself as a messiah in director Jeymes Samuel's new movie, "The Book of Clarence." He talks with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about making a Biblical epic with a Black point of view.

Bábo, written by Astrid Kamalyan and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

Books
Arts

Mop-mop-swoosh-plop it's rug-washing day in 'Bábo'

10:05am January 13, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

Little Tato sneaks a few cherry plums before grabbing a mop and a hose to help Bábo — her grandmother — with a favorite chore.

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The impact of 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' on Savannah over 30 years

6:40pm January 12, 2024

by Benjamin Payne

It's been 30 years since one book elevated Savannah, Ga., to a literary tourist destination. We check in on the impact of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

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Matt Hay gradually went deaf. But music helped him partially hear again

6:01pm January 12, 2024

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to author Matt Hay, who has struggled with his hearing since he was a kid, about his new book Soundtrack of Silence.

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Books
Arts

'Lunar New Year Love Story' celebrates true love, honors immigrant struggles

11:36am January 11, 2024

by Thúy Đinh

This YA graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham attains epic dimensions in capturing the complex, bittersweet journeys of its characters.

Books

A federal case against book restrictions in Florida schools is going forward

5:13am January 11, 2024

by Tovia Smith

A judge ruled there's a viable argument that removing certain books is unconstitutional. Free speech advocates, a publisher, authors and parents say the restrictions violate the First Amendment.

How E.J. Koh drew on her own family members' experiences to write 'The Liberators'

6:09pm January 10, 2024

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with author E.J. Koh about her novel, The Liberators. In just over 200 pages, the story covers generations, wars and geopolitical upheaval.

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Books
Arts

'The Fetishist' examines racial and sexual politics

11:19am January 10, 2024

by Kristen Martin

Katherine Min's well-crafted posthumous novel is inspired by Lolita -- but with an Asian fetishist as Humbert Humbert and the objects of his objectification given voice.

Annie Liontas is a professor of writing at George Washington University. Their previous book is Let Me Explain You.

'Sex With a Brain Injury' reveals how concussions can test relationships

1:44pm January 09, 2024

by Terry Gross

Annie Liontas experienced three brain injuries in the span of one year, which led to dizziness, memory fog and anger — and impacted Liontas' marriage and sex life.

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Meet trailblazing foreign correspondent Maggie Higgins in the book 'Fierce Ambition'

5:13pm January 07, 2024

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks to author Jennet Conant about her new book Fierce Ambition, a biography about Pulitzer prize winning war correspondent Maggie Higgins.