Why 'Why Buddhism Is True' Is True
In his new book, Robert Wright explores Buddhism's take on our suffering, our anxiety and our general dis-ease — where he sees it lining up with scientific fields, says blogger Adam Frank.
Books
James McBride's 'Five-Carat Soul' Is A Gem
The National Book Award-winning writer's debut story collection includes stories both straightforward and surreal. Our critic calls it "brash, daring and defiantly original."
A Former Speechwriter Looks Back On His 'Hopey, Changey' Years With Obama
David Litt says writing speeches and jokes for former President Obama was often a delicate task: "There's a whole industry of people trying to take your words out of context."
'Nomadland' Tracks Rising Number Of Americans Living On The Road
A new book by the journalist Jessica Bruder describes the increasing number of Americans living on the road, often in RVs, moving from job to job as a way to avoid the expense of a permanent home. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Bruder about her book, Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century.
How Do You Turn Around A Tech Giant? With Empathy, Microsoft CEO Says
The CEO of Microsoft was hired to turn the company around. And now, just three years into the job, Satya Nadella has written a book reflecting on this monumental task — and the empathy it requires.
Salman Rushdie's American Tale
A nationalist leader comes to power, affecting a family of immigrants in New York.
'Unforgivable Love' Resets Steamy 'Dangerous Liaisons' In 1940s Harlem
The retelling of the 1782 French novel has just as much betrayal and bed-hopping as the original, but in a new locale. Author Sophfronia Scott explains why Harlem — and how she writes good sex scenes.
Leveling Up In The Video Game Industry, Without Checkpoints: 'Significant Zero'
Videogame writer Walt Williams describes his Red-Bull-and-Adderal-fueled advancement in a competitive and secretive industry. Critic Jason Sheehan says the book "plays out ... like a videogame."
'Inside Studio 54' Takes You Behind The Velvet Rope, And Into Some Dark Corners
Owner Mark Fleischman's memoir drops plenty of celebrity names while detailing the day-to-day logistics (and the drugs) that kept the nightspot running.
Poetry For Kids Who Are 'Just No Good At Rhyming'
Poetry has to rhyme, doesn't it? Chris Harris talks with Scott Simon about his new book for kids called I'm Just No good at Rhyming.