Books

H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness, the Second Volume, by Gou Tanabe

Books
Arts

'At The Mountains Of Madness,' Spheroid Space Monsters Are Just Like Us

7:00am December 05, 2019

by Etelka Lehoczky

Gou Tanabe's graphic novel adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's novella makes its monsters both terrifying and weirdly human. Even if space spheres aren't your thing, Tanabe's art still prompts wonder.

Author Adam Minter estimates that the average U.S. thrift store is able to sell only about one-third of its inventory. In his new book, Secondhand, he finds out what happens to the other two-thirds.

'The Best Thing You Can Do Is Not Buy More Stuff,' Says 'Secondhand' Expert

4:22pm December 04, 2019

by Terry Gross

"Your average thrift store in the United States only sells about one-third of the stuff that ends up on its shelves," Adam Minter says. His book explores what happens to the things that don't sell.

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NPR's Book Concierge returns with 350+ new books handpicked by NPR staff and critics. Click here to find your next great read.

Books

It's Back! NPR Unveils 2019 Book Concierge

2:53pm December 04, 2019

by Petra Mayer

The NPR 2019 Book Concierge is here! It features more than 350 recommendations from NPR staffers and trusted critics.

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Books

'She Had Me, I Had Her:' Robyn Crawford Opens Up

12:48pm December 04, 2019

The creative director for Whitney Houston's new memoir is called "A Song For You."

Dr. BJ Miller's new project, the Center for Dying and Living, is a website designed for people to share their stories related to living with illness, disability or loss, or their stories of caring for someone with those conditions.

After A Freak Accident, A Doctor Finds Insight Into 'Living Life And Facing Death'

10:03am December 04, 2019

by Terry Gross

In 1990, BJ Miller was hit with 11,000 volts of electricity. That accident took most of his limbs, but the event and his recovery inspired him to pursue a career as a palliative care physician.

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Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition, by Buddy Levy

Books
Arts

Greely's Polar Expedition Faces Heartbreak Amid Heroism In 'Labyrinth Of Ice'

7:01am December 04, 2019

by Gabino Iglesias

Author Buddy Levy's superbly written, meticulously researched chronicle tells the adventure story of a group of explorers aiming to achieve "Farthest North" and claim the win for the U.S. in 1881.

Books

What Bestseller Lists Really Tell Us About A Book's Popularity

5:27pm December 03, 2019

by Rose Friedman

The Republican National Committee spent nearly $100,000 buying copies of Donald Trump Jr.'s new book. But did that money buy a spot on the New York Times bestseller list? Not exactly.

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Milan Kundera is seen with his wife Vera Hrabankov in Prague in 1973, two years before they emigrated.

Milan Kundera's Czech Citizenship Is Restored After 40 Years

4:02pm December 03, 2019

by Laurel Wamsley

The author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being saw his books banned and citizenship revoked in 1979. Exiled in Paris, Kundera began writing his novels in French.

Books
Arts

NPR's Favorite Books Of 2019: The Book Concierge Is Back With 350+ Great Reads

2:05pm December 03, 2019

Explore seven years of recommendations all in one place: Here are more than 2,000 titles, hand-picked by NPR staff and trusted critics — with handy filters to help you find the perfect book!

Open books stacked on top of one another.

Books
Arts

Maureen Corrigan's Favorite Books Of 2019: Here Are 10 Unputdownable Reads

1:16pm December 03, 2019

by Maureen Corrigan

This year's list is a mix of literary fiction, true crime, memoirs and essays, from acclaimed authors as well as some brand new voices — and you won't be able to put any of them down.