12 books NPR staffers loved in 2021 that might surprise you
Books We Love, formerly known as NPR's Book Concierge, is back for 2021. Here are a handful of books that NPR staffers named as some of their favorites of the year.
Books
'From Staircase to Stage': Raekwon on growing up in N.Y. and the Wu-Tang Clan
In his new memoir, From Staircase to Stage, rapper Raekwon recalls watching as that relatively serene New York City neighborhood rapidly declined, succumbing to the wildfires of the crack epidemic.
After 100 years, Boise Public Library gets a missing book back
The book was checked out Nov. 8, 1911, and it's still in great condition. The Idaho library did away with fines for late books two years ago. Otherwise the fine could have been around $1,800.
Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan fame tells his story in 'From Staircase to Stage'
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Cory Woods, Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, about his book: From Staircase to Stage: The Story of Raekwon and the Wu-Tang Clan.
'Flying Blind' author says Boeing put profit ahead of safety with the 737 MAX
The 737 MAX was grounded in 2019 after two deadly crashes exposed flaws pilots hadn't been told about. Journalist Peter Robison says Boeing cut costs and co-opted regulators in designing the craft.
Mario Vargas Llosa explores 1954 Guatemalan coup in new novel
Harsh Times, set in the 1950s, is historical fiction centering on events of a CIA-backed coup to overthrow Guatemala's democratically-elected government led by Jacobo Árbenz.
'The Ghost Tracks' is heartwarming horror fiction
Celso Hurtado's YA horror novel combines a real San Antonio legend with classic elements of YA narratives to tell a story of friendship that explores the possibility of the supernatural.
'Jade Legacy,' final in the Green Bone Saga trilogy, is about endings
The Damocles threat Fonda Lee has let dangle over this entire series is that no one in these pages is ever safe — the world she has created is dangerous and everyone in it has a place where they end.
'House of Gucci' author gives her take on the new film adapted from her book
NPR's David Folkenflik speaks with Sara Gay Forden about her book, The House of Gucci, which has just been released as a feature film starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver.
'White Hot Hate' details foiled attack by white supremacists on immigrants in Kansas
Kelsey Snell speaks with author Dick Lehr about his new book, "White Hot Hate." It's the story of a foiled domestic terrorist attack against an immigrant community in a Kansas farming town.