'Dirt Is Good': Why Kids Need Exposure To Germs
Should I use antibacterial soaps? How often should I bathe my child? Those are just some of the questions Jack Gilbert, a microbiome scientist, answers in his new book.
Books
New Novel Explores 'What We Lose' When We Lose A Parent
When Zinzi Clemmons was taking care of her dying mother, she only had time to write brief vignettes — and those fragments became the core of her new novel about identity and loss, What We Lose.
For July, 3 Romance Heroines Who Want It All
So many romances explore what we'd do for love — but as summer heats up we're bringing you three heroines who'd do a lot for love, and even more to keep their business ventures going.
The Unconventional Poetry Of Tyehimba Jess
Tyehimba Jess, the African-American poet from Detroit, won this year's Pulitzer in poetry for a collection that shines a different light on minstrel shows.
The Total Eclipse Of 1878
NPR's Scott Simon interviews science writer David Baron about his new book American Eclipse, the story of the total solar eclipse of 1878.
In 'Meddling Kids,' The Scooby Gang Grows Up — Hard
Edgar Cantero's head-kick of a novel about damaged adults who used to be spunky kid detectives mixes bright, pulpy cartoon nostalgia with some seriously dark trauma-survivor subtext.
Lawrence Osborne Doesn't Care If You Like His Characters In 'Beautiful Animals'
"Likable characters are usually completely forgettable ... " he says. "We love villains ... because they show us these disturbing complexities." His sun-drenched summer novel is set on a Greek island.
'Schumer' Writer Jessi Klein On Barbies, Ageism And Pumping At The Emmys
Klein won an Emmy in 2015 for her work on Inside Amy Schumer. Her book, You'll Grow Out of It, is a collection of humorous personal essays. Originally broadcast July 12, 2016.
A Local Writer Discusses His Evolving Style: Spencer K. M. Brown
Jayden Bannister interviews local writer Spencer K. M. Brown. They discuss what led Brown on his path to writing, and he reads a short excerpt from his latest novel.
A Favorite In Waiting: Alison Bechdel's 'Dykes To Watch Out For'
Alison Bechdel is one of the few cartoonists who appears twice on our list of 100 favorite comics and graphic novels — but many readers overlooked her beloved cult strip Dykes To Watch Out For.