Books

Books

'Hench' Counts The Cost Of Those High-Powered Superhero Battles

7:00am September 26, 2020

by Jessica P. Wick

What happens once the Avengers are done tearing up Manhattan? Natalie Zina Walschots' new novel follows a woman who decides to tally up the human cost of those battles — and use it for evil.

The cover of the Elisabeth Thomas's Catherine House.

Books

The Surreally Diverse World Of 'Catherine House'

6:19am September 26, 2020

by Leah Donnella

This week, Code Switch is talking about our favorite pandemic reads. Today's conversation is with author Elisabeth Thomas, about her fictional cult-like college, set deep in the woods of Pennsylvania.

Books
Arts

Feminist Gloria Steinem On Finding Herself Free Of The 'Demands Of Gender'

1:37pm September 25, 2020

by Terry Gross

Steinem reflects on her unique childhood and the illegal abortion she had when she was 22. She is the subject of the new biopic, The Glorias. Originally broadcast in 1987 and 2015.

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Books

Sex, Love And Money In 'Take A Hint, Dani Brown'

11:31am September 25, 2020

by Karen Grigsby Bates

This week, Code Switch is talking about the books that are getting us through the pandemic. Today's conversation is with Talia Hibbert, who's written a classic romance with a modern twist.

Books

NPR's Favorite New Audiobooks

5:02am September 25, 2020

by Linda Holmes

From romance to nonfiction, here are some of NPR's best audiobook recommendations.

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'Behind The Kingdom's Veil' Offers Insights Into The Lives Of Ordinary Saudis

4:04pm September 24, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with correspondent Susanne Koelbl of Der Spiegel about her book, Behind the Kingdom's Veil: Inside the New Saudi Arabia Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Books

Colonialism, Eugenics And Downright Terror In 'Mexican Gothic'

2:09pm September 24, 2020

by Leah Donnella

This week, Code Switch is talking about the books that are getting us through the pandemic. Today's conversation is with Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of the creepy and engrossing Mexican Gothic.

Politician and Maryland congressional representative Elijah Cummings at his campaign headquarters, 1988.

In 'We're Better Than This,' Rep. Elijah Cummings Offers Some Lasting Thoughts

8:02am September 24, 2020

by Ericka Taylor

The former congressman's memoir is an urgent call to action, imploring us to defend our democracy as it is assailed by threats — and a poignant reminder of how much the nation lost with his death.

How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons): Poetry, by Barbara Kingsolver

Books

Barbara Kingsolver's Passion For Poetry Prevails In 'How To Fly'

7:53am September 24, 2020

by Rachel Martin

The author of novels The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees has published a second book of poetry this week titled How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons).

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Books

'Owed': Poems That Celebrate Denigrated Places And People

4:33pm September 23, 2020

NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer talks with poet Joshua Bennett about his new collection, Owed. Bennett says he tried to create poems that celebrate places and people who were disparaged.