676 episodes
NPR's Book of the Day NPR's Book of the Day
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4.3 • 407 Ratings
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In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone's talking about? NPR's Book of the Day gives you today's very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast. Whether you're looking to engage with the big questions of our times – or temporarily escape from them – we've got an author who will speak to you, all genres, mood and writing styles included. Catch today's great books in 15 minutes or less.
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'The Anxious Generation' analyzes the harmful effects of growing up online
While screens have become a totally normalized part of kids' development today, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that the negative effects might outweigh the benefits. His new book, The Anxious Generation, details the correlation between an increasingly online social life and rising mental health concerns amongst young people. In today's episode, NPR's Steve Inskeep asks Haidt about how boys and girls experience socialization on the Internet, and how some of these behaviors might be curbed to get kids playing offline.
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'Sociopath' is a memoir about how to live with – and treat – the social disorder
Patric Gagne says she realized at a young age that she wasn't like other kids. Shame, guilt, empathy — feelings running rampant on the playground — evaded her. Her new book, Sociopath, is about how she came to be diagnosed with sociopathy in college and how her own studies into clinical psychology shaped her understanding of the disorder. In today's episode, Gagne speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about her lived experiences as a sociopath, and how they actually led her to working as a therapist.
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'Memory Piece' follows female friendships over several decades
Memory Piece, the new novel from National Book Award finalist Lisa Ko, kicks off in the 1980s with three teenage girls who find a deep connection to one another. Into the1990s and eventually the 2040s, the book delves into their growth as individuals and friends. In today's episode, Here & Now's Deepa Fernandes speaks with Ko about how art, gentrification and activism plays a role in each woman's life, and how memory and interdependence helps them find hope for their futures.
To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday
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In 'We Loved It All,' Lydia Millet dives into nonfiction
Pulitzer Prize finalist Lydia Millet is known for writing novels that are sometimes dark, yet funny peeks into communities and relationships. Her new book, We Loved It All, still follows some of those satirical undertones, but it's a nonfiction work that blends the author's real life experiences with anecdotes about the natural world. In today's episode, NPR's Leila Fadel asks Millet how what started as an encyclopedia of animals morphed into a bigger project about the nature of life, and how it changed her writing process.
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Two books offer lessons on love and acceptance for young readers
Today's episode features two books for younger readers. First, NPR's Scott Simon speaks with John Schu about Louder Than Hunger, his new semi-fictional memoir that follows a middle school boy's journey with an eating disorder. Then, NPR's Scott Detrow asks author Omar Abed and illustrator Hatem Aly — both older siblings — about The Book That Almost Rhymed, their story about a big brother finding the silver lining in his little sister's constant interruptions.
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'All The World Beside' explores a queer relationship in a 1700s Puritan community
Garrard Conley's memoir Boy Erased chronicled his upbringing as a Baptist preacher's son and his experience being sent to conversion therapy. His new novel, All The World Beside, explores similar themes of faith, love and queer identity — but through the lens of a relationship between two men in Puritan New England. In today's episode, Conley speaks with NPR's Ari Shapiro about how fiction allowed him to actually provide even more autobiographical details than a memoir, and how writing this book grounded him in his relationship to Christianity.
To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday
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Customer Reviews
Unbiased?
I listen to maybe 3-4 episodes a week and have for a year or so. I have read many a book based on their recommendations. I would recommend this podcast but it IS biased left or progressive. I would like to see it less focused on minorities opinions because npr was too white for awhile. I said it. As a biracial American. I am left, I vote progressive. But we cannot exist in a bubble in an echo chamber, Correct? Do what is right and have more diverse opinions on. And that does not mean every minority that punishes a book. Cause that’s how it feels at times. From a loyal listener. Thank you.
4 November 2023
Russia and Ukraine have been at war with each other for over a year and half, and finally a podcast has been launched regarding the ‘rules of war.’ Wow! I’m shocked, I find this too little to late. 🙃
Shameless agenda promoting garbage
Too politically biased. I kept scrolling trying to find neutral books, but the reviews of those are even slanted. If you’re looking for content designed to confirm your victimhood, you’ve found your spot!