Books

J. Edgar Hoover is seen in his Washington, D.C., office in 1936. A new biography of the long-time FBI director looks at public support for his policies during most of his tenure.

Books

Biography traces public support for J. Edgar Hoover in most of his 48 years in power

5:07am November 22, 2022

by Carrie Johnson

G-Man by Yale historian Beverly Gage examines how Hoover held onto power and describes his complicated legacy on racial justice and surveillance.

Books

Artist Patti Smith on her latest photography book 'A Book of Days'

4:27pm November 21, 2022

NPR's Juana Summers talks with artist, writer and photographer Patti Smith about her latest book, "A Book of Days."

The Song of the Cell, by Siddhartha Mukherjee

A cell biologist shares the wonder of researching life's most fundamental form

3:58pm November 21, 2022

by Terry Gross

Physician Siddhartha Mukherjee explains how cellular science could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer, HIV, Type 1 diabetes and sickle cell anemia. His new book is The Song of the Cell.

Queue Listen Now

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of 'Free To Be... You and Me'

5:04am November 21, 2022

by Deena Prichep

In 1972, the children's album Free To Be... You And Me debuted, featuring stories and songs that celebrated tolerance, individuality and gender neutrality. Fifty years later, what is its legacy?

Books

Brooklyn Public Library reveals the list of its most borrowed books

5:04am November 21, 2022

To celebrate its 125th anniversary, librarians at the Brooklyn Public Library counted down the 125 most borrowed books in the library's history.

Young Dabin is asked by multiple adults if she sees her self as Korean or American.

Books
Arts

COMIC: Korean American books inspired one artist to redefine her identity

5:01am November 21, 2022

by Dabin Han

Illustrator and comic artist Dabin Han shares how she thinks about her Korean American identity and how it has been shaped by reading books by Korean American authors.

Books

We're already in the promised digital Utopia — and it's failing

8:10am November 20, 2022

by Ayesha Rascoe

In his new book, David Sax write that the pandemic was a test of the Utopia promised by the digital universe, and it fell short. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with him about "The Future Is Analog."

Books

'They're Going to Love You' is a novel about forgiveness set in the world of ballet

8:40am November 19, 2022

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with author Meg Howrey about "They're Going to Love You," her new novel about forgiveness set against the backdrop of the New York City ballet scene.

Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams and Raul Julia as Gomez Addams in Addams Family Values.

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend listening, viewing and reading

5:00pm November 18, 2022

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Dawnlands: A Novel, Addams Family Values, Wind of Change and Turnstile.

Composer Ned Rorem in 1953 in Paris, where he lived for nearly a decade and wrote his infamous Paris Diary.

Ned Rorem, major American composer and diarist, has died at age 99

11:10am November 18, 2022

by Dean Olsher

The Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and diarist died Friday at age 99. Although he won the Pulitzer for an orchestral work, he was most celebrated for his huge body of art songs — over 500 in all.