Books

Why Johnny Cash's music still resonates today, 20 years after his death

5:24pm November 25, 2023

NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Johnny Cash historian Mark Stielper and Cash's son, John Carter Cash, on their book, Johnny Cash: The Life in Lyrics and the Man in Black's legacy as a songwriter.

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A new documentary shows the impact of book bans in Florida public schools on the kids

8:08am November 25, 2023

by Scott Simon

In her directorial debut, Sheila Nevins' chronicles the impact of book bans in Florida public schools. She tells NPR's Scott Simon what inspired her to profile those most affected — the students.

The Baddies, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Books
Arts

Beware! 'The Baddies' are here to scare your kids — and make them laugh

8:08am November 25, 2023

by Samantha Balaban

From the author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom now comes The Baddies: a witch, a troll and a ghost like being bad so much they compete to see who can be the very worst.

Books
Arts

How comic Leslie Jones went from funniest person on campus to 'SNL' star

12:07pm November 24, 2023

by Tonya Mosley

Jones says performing stand-up for the first time as a freshman in college felt like putting on a shirt that fit perfectly. Her memoir is Leslie F*cking Jones. Originally broadcast Sept. 21, 2023.

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Books

Don't waste food: Here's how to use your Thanksgiving dinner leftovers

5:05am November 24, 2023

Anne-Marie Bonneau, author of the cookbook The Zero-Waste Chef, has ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers that go beyond turkey sandwiches and pie for breakfast.

USDA updates plant hardiness map for the first time in more than a decade

5:05am November 24, 2023

NPR's A Martinez talks to Ashlie Thomas, author of How to Become a Gardener, about the map gardeners and farmers use to determine when and where plants will thrive — based on season and temperature.

Books

NPR releases its 2023 Books We Love list

7:48am November 22, 2023

by Bethany Chafin

At the end of the year, Santa isn't the only one making a list. NPR has released its compilation known as "Books We Love" since 2013. This year it's over 350 titles sourced from your favorite NPR personalities and those whose voices you might not hear, but whose work, you certainly have — editors, producers, and more.

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Books

Flying has become miserable — but it hasn't always been that way

5:22am November 22, 2023

NPR's Michel Martin talks to Ganesh Sitaraman about the challenges of air travel. He is the author of: Why Flying is Miserable and How to Fix It.

How one reporter tells the story of Philippines President Duterte's drug war

6:27pm November 21, 2023

Patricia Evangelista's new book, Some People Need Killing, chronicles her reporting during Philippines' president Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

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Helen DeWitt's novella 'The English Understand Wool' hits big

5:45pm November 21, 2023

by Andrew Limbong

The 2022 novella The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt is both a psychological thriller AND a satirical critique of the publishing industry. It's also sold out everywhere.

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