Author Interviews

Books

Richard Kammen was a defense attorney at Guantanamo Bay. Now he's written a novel

8:48am March 30, 2023

by Sacha Pfeiffer

Attorney Richard Kammen's new novel — Tortured Justice Guantánamo Bay — is partly based on his experience. He describes the justice system there as broken. Why didn't he go the nonfiction route?

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Books
Arts

In 'Above Ground,' Clint Smith uses poetry to confront the legacy of slavery

3:53pm March 29, 2023

by Terry Gross

Smith's poems, which are addressed to his young children, describe what their ancestors endured and escaped. He also examines the joy and anxiety of parenthood, especially as a Black father.

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Books
Arts

Colleen Oakley's grandma inspired the intergenerational friendship in her new novel

6:13pm March 28, 2023

Colleen Oakley's new book is "The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise."

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Public health professor Arline Geronimus says marginalized people suffer nearly constant stress, which leads to increasingly serious health problems over time.

How poverty and racism 'weather' the body, accelerating aging and disease

2:00pm March 28, 2023

by Dave Davies

Public health professor Arline Geronimus explains how marginalized people suffer nearly constant stress, which damages their bodies at the cellular level. Her new book is Weathering.

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Books

Ari Tison on her novel 'Saints of the Household'

8:20am March 26, 2023

by Miles Parks

Two brothers with an abusive father come of age in a new book for young adults, "Saints of the Household." NPR's Miles Parks talks with author Ari Tison about her novel.

Books

Rachel Heng on her novel 'The Great Reclamation'

8:00am March 25, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon talks to Rachel Heng about "The Great Reclamation." Starting in 1940's Singapore, the novel follows the life of a child amid the great power conflicts playing out in the region.

Books

Author Xelena Gonzalez and illustrator Adriana Garcia on their new children's book

8:00am March 25, 2023

by Scott Simon

Author Xelena Gonzalez and illustrator Adriana Garcia talk about rocks and about working together on their new children's book, "Where Wonder Grows," for our series "Picture This."

Ari Shapiro became a host on NPR's All Things Considered in 2015. In addition to working as a journalist, he sings with the band Pink Martini and performs in a cabaret act with actor Alan Cumming.

Books
Arts

It's impossible to fit 'All Things' Ari Shapiro does into this headline

2:35pm March 22, 2023

by Terry Gross

Shapiro co-hosts All Things Considered, co-stars in a cabaret act with Alan Cumming, and sings with the band Pink Martini. Now, he's written a book, a memoir called The Best Strangers in the World.

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Books

The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq brought terrorism to my country, Iraqi author says

7:50am March 22, 2023

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Iraqi novelist and poet Sinan Antoon about the legacy of the invasion of Iraq which happened 20 years ago.

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Carole Lindstrom's new book My Powerful Hair features illustrations by Steph Littlebird.

'Like a living scrapbook': 'My Powerful Hair' is a celebration of Native culture

6:12am March 22, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

Author Carole Lindstrom follows Caldecott-winning We Are Water Protectors with another children's book featuring Native culture. She says she hopes it helps kids "see themselves in a positive way."

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