Books

Encore: Author Jas Hammond on their book, 'We Deserve Monuments'

4:35pm February 02, 2023

NPR's Juana Summers talks with author Jas Hammond about their book, We Deserve Monuments. It's a young adult love story and a family mystery that explores intergenerational trauma and racism.

Books
Arts

'Black on Black' celebrates Black culture while exploring history and racial tension

1:51pm February 02, 2023

by Gabino Iglesias

Daniel Black's essays call for an overhaul of the U.S. criminal justice system, of the Black church, of the way Black people see themselves, and of the country itself — and do so with authority

A journalist ventures inside one of the world's most notorious terrorist groups

1:17pm February 02, 2023

by Dave Davies

Jere Van Dyk has spent years in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where he got to know leaders of the Haqqani network, responsible for many suicide bombings and kidnappings. His new book is Without Borders.

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An artisanal miner carries a sack of ore at the Shabara artisanal mine near Kolwezi, DRC, on Oct. 12, 2022.

How 'modern-day slavery' in the Congo powers the rechargeable battery economy

1:26pm February 01, 2023

by Terry Gross

Phone and electric car batteries are made with cobalt mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cobalt Red author Siddharth Kara describes the conditions for workers as a "horror show."

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As soda consumption has dropped in the West, companies are making an effort to woo new customers in other places. This Coke bottle ad is in Mozambique.

Junk food companies say they're trying to do good. A new book raises doubts

11:08am February 01, 2023

by Pien Huang

As the marketing of soda and fast food ramps up around the world, the companies involved forge partnerships to help the poor. The new book 'Junk Food Politics' casts a critical eye at their efforts.

Covers of: Saints of the Household by Ari Tison, She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran, Into the Light by Mark Oshiro, Brighter than the Sun by Daniel Aleman, We Are All So Good At Smiling by Amber Mcbride

Books
Arts

5 YA books this winter dealing with identity and overcoming hardships

7:19am February 01, 2023

by Caitlyn Paxson

The pale daylight and early darkness of winter create a space for stories — in particular for stories that ask the reader to mull themes and ideas that can sometimes be difficult.

Former President Donald Trump is suing Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward over Woodward's latest book, The Trump Tapes.

Trump sues Bob Woodward for releasing audio of their interviews without permission

10:18am January 31, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

The former president has made good on his threat to sue the Washington Post reporter over his use of interview recordings. The lawsuit seeks nearly $50 million in damages.

Books

Do special police units deter crime or lead to more prosecutions and convictions?

5:03am January 31, 2023

NPR's A Martinez talks to Paul Butler — law professor at Georgetown University, and author of the book Chokehold: Policing Black Men — about the culture and tactics of special police units.

Books
Arts

'Hot Dog' wins Caldecott, Newbery is awarded to 'Freewater'

6:51pm January 30, 2023

by Teresa Xie

Hot Dog, by Doug Salati, is about an overheated pup who finds his calm on a trip to the beach. Freewater, by Amina Luqman-Dawson, is about two enslaved children finding freedom.

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"I was much less self-assured now that I was a patient myself," says neurosurgeon Henry Marsh. "I suddenly felt much less certain about how I'd been [as a doctor], how I'd handled patients, how I'd spoken to them."

After cancer diagnosis, a neurosurgeon sees life, death and his career in a new way

5:15pm January 30, 2023

by Terry Gross

Dr. Henry Marsh felt comfortable in hospitals — until he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. "I was much less self-assured now that I was a patient myself," he says. His book is And Finally.

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