How did the 20th century learn to act? 'The Method'
Scott Simon talks with author and critic Isaac Butler about his new book, "The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act."
Books
'The Family Chao' centers on good food made by a not-so-good person
Lan Samantha Chang's novel "The Family Chao" has a lot in common with Dostoevsky, except it revolves around a Chinese-American family in Wisconsin. Chang discusses the new work with Scott Simon.
Wordle — don't forget your roots. 'The Puzzler' details puzzle fads through time
Wordle is hardly the first puzzle to take the nation by storm. Scott Simon speaks with A.J. Jacobs, journalist and author, about his new book on the power of puzzles.
Jason Epstein, founder of 'The New York Review of Books,' dies at 93
Jason Epstein, a towering figure in the New York City's intellectual scene who co-founded "The New York Review of Books" as well as the Library of America series, died this week at 93.
'Tell Everyone on this Train I Love Them' is an outsider's view of an imperfect union
NPR's Tamara Keith talks with Irish comedian Maeve Higgins about her new book Tell Everyone on this Train I Love Them, which is a series of reflections on the various imperfections of America.
Coming of age with three contemporary YA novels
In each of these stories — Full Flight, Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman, Ophelia After All — a girl stands at a junction in her life, on the brink of deciding who she wants to be.
In 'Black Agenda,' thought leaders pose solutions to complicated issues
NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman about an essay collection from Black experts that suggests solutions to issues that range from climate policy to criminal justice reform.
'The Family Chao' is a riveting story of identity and belonging
There are notable parallels to The Brothers Karamazov in Lan Samantha Chang's new novel about three brothers and the contentious relationship between them and their domineering father.
Sci-fi, fantasy, crime fiction blend in 'Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century'
Kim Fu's book contains 12 stories that peel away layers of normalcy to reveal weird, creepy things; though very different from each other, they share elements, giving the collection a sense of unity.
Yale professor teaches influence and she says it's your superpower
NPR's A Martinez speaks with Zoe Chance about her book: Influence is your Superpower.