Michael Cunningham's new novel is his first in almost a decade
NPR's Scott Simon talks with author Michael Cunningham about his new novel, "Day." Cunningham won a Pulitzer Prize for a previous novel, "The Hours."
Books
Could creativity transform medicine? These artists think so
A new book argues that the arts have a role to play in shaking up the status quo in the American health care system and creating 'desperately needed culture change.'
What Britney Spears' book taught me about resilience and self love
The release of Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me, means she gets to reclaim her story after it has been told for her for too long. And in a way, I got to revisit and reclaim my own, too.
A Marine veteran says the contradictions of war can make you feel insane
Elliot Ackerman served five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, during which time, he says, he witnessed the best and worst that human beings are capable of. Originally broadcast Nov. 11, 2021.
'Half American' explores how Black WWII servicemen were treated better abroad
Though more than one million Black Americans contributed to the war effort, historian Matthew Delmont says a military uniform offered no protection from racism. Originally broadcast Nov. 8, 2022.
'The Future' asks if technology will save humanity or accelerate its end
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with author Naomi Alderman on her new novel, The Future, which asks whether the giants of technology more likely to save humankind or accelerate its end.
How American Girl dolls became a part of American culture
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Mary Mahoney and Allison Horrocks about their new book Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl.
Barbra Streisand shares her secret for keeping performances honest
When she was starring in Funny Girl on Broadway, Streisand would alter the music slightly each night: "You can't just copy what you did from the night before." Her new memoir is My Name is Barbra.
'Music was there for me when I needed it,' The Roots co-founder Tariq Trotter says
Trotter, aka Black Thought, reflects on his childhood in Philly, his decades-long friendship with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and his life as a musician. Trotter's new memoir is The Upcycled Self.
'We cannot fail so big as war': A writer's lesson from examining the Korean War
In just over 200 pages, E.J. Koh's debut novel spans decades to tell the individual stories of lives impacted by the Korean War.