Books

My Monticello, by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson

Books
Arts

'My Monticello' grapples with the past, present and future of American racism

12:34pm November 02, 2021

by Maureen Corrigan

The title novella of Jocelyn Nicole Johnson's debut is set in the near future in Charlottesville, Va., where descendants of Sally Hemings' take shelter from a racist mob in Thomas Jefferson's manor.

Books

'Misfire' takes a hard look at nepotism, fraud and corruption in the NRA

5:04am November 02, 2021

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with NPR's Tim Mak about his book on the National Rifle Association: Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA.

Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds, Huma Abedin

Huma Abedin's admiration for mentor Hillary Clinton is on full display in 'Both/And'

5:21pm November 01, 2021

by Caitlyn Kim

Abedin also reflects on her marriage to former Rep. Anthony Weiner, writing: "[Clinton] said that she did not believe I should pay a professional price for what was ultimately my husband's mistake."

Steven Roberts holds a copy of his book Cokie: A Life Well Lived at his home in Bethesda, Md. The process of writing that book, he says, has helped him feel like he gets to spend more time with his wife.

Books
Arts

A new book captures Cokie Roberts and her 'Life Well Lived'

2:16pm November 01, 2021

by Reena Advani

At the 2019 funeral for longtime NPR journalist Cokie Roberts, her husband, Steven, told personal stories about their life together. There were still more to tell, so he dove into writing about them.

NRA Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Wayne LaPierre speaks during the leadership forum at the National Rifle Association's annual meeting on May 3, 2013 in Houston.

'Misfire' is a scathing look at nepotism, fraud and corruption in the NRA

12:37pm November 01, 2021

by Gabino Iglesias

The book by NPR's Tim Mak might be the final blow in terms of exposing the organization's rotten core and showing how a boundless love for money and power has eaten away at the group's foundations.

Books

'Planet of Clay' describes the brutal toll of the Syrian civil war on a young girl

9:27am October 31, 2021

Samar Yazbek's new novel, "Planet of Clay," outlines the brutal toll of the Syrian civil war as told by a young girl. Yazbek talks with Asma Khalid about the inspiration for the book.

Books
Arts

'Win Me Something' is full of little moments that pack a big emotional punch

5:00am October 31, 2021

by Michael Schaub

Kyle Lucia Wu's debut follows a young Chinese American woman who takes a job as a nanny to a wealthy white family and never feels like she fits in, even though she bonds with her precocious charge.

Pinkie Promises, written by Senator Elizabeth Warren and illustrated by Charlene Chua

Books
Arts

You can do it: Elizabeth Warren makes a pinkie promise to girls

9:16am October 30, 2021

by Samantha Balaban

Polly is tired of being told "that's not what girls do." Then she meets a woman running for President, who makes a pinkie promise with her to always remember that girls can do anything.

Books

New biography seeks to prove Stephen Crane's place in the U.S. literary canon

9:00am October 30, 2021

by Tom Vitale

November 1 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth Stephen Crane, author of "The Red Badge of Courage." A new biography seeks to place him among America's most celebrated writers.

Books
Arts

A journalist returns to the cases that haunted her in 'As the Wicked Watch'

5:00am October 30, 2021

by Carole V. Bell

Journalist and talk-show host Tamron Hall is branching out into thrillers with this story about a tenacious journalist out to show that a missing Black girl isn't just an everyday runaway.