Historian Simon Schama's new book traces the roots of today's distrust of vaccines
NPR's Scott Simon asks historian Simon Schama about his latest book, Foreign Bodies, and about attitudes to inoculation.
Books
Anne Enright's novel follows a family that's left behind in a famous poet's pursuit of fame
NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Irish author Anne Enright about her novel, "The Wren, The Wren." It's about a mother and daughter and how their lives are marked by the family patriarch, an Irish poet.
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend reading and listening
Each week, Pop Culture Happy Hour guests and hosts share what's bringing them joy. This week: The audiobooks Mythos and Why We Love Baseball, and the new albums Jaguar II and Blame My Ex.
Hollywood relies on China to stay afloat. What does that mean for movies?
Red Carpet author Erich Schwartzel says that film studios increasingly need Chinese audiences to break even — which can result in self-censorship. Originally broadcast Feb. 21, 2022.
'The Last Politician' author shares stories behind Biden's successes and failures
Atlantic writer Franklin Foer initially saw Biden as a bloviator who fetishized bipartisanship; he's since come to appreciate Biden's ability to empathize with opponents and get legislation passed.
This atheist chaplain treats 'Jane Eyre' as sacred text
NPR's Rachel Martin talks with author and atheist chaplain Vanessa Zoltan about her practice of treating novels like Jane Eyre as sacred text.
In 'The Enchanters' James Ellroy brings Freddy Otash into 1960s L.A.
The Enchanters marks the return of Freddy O — a disgraced ex-LAPD cop and Confidential magazine dirt digger turned shifty private investigator and Hollywood fixer — and introduces Marilyn Monroe.
Drew Barrymore dropped as National Book Awards host
Drew Barrymore has been dropped as host of the upcoming National Book Awards ceremony, a day after her talk show taped its first episode since the Hollywood writers strike began.
Writing novels has created a quiet happy place for talk show host Graham Norton
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with talk show host and writer Graham Norton about his new novel Forever Home.
Matthew McConaughey's book 'Just Because' is judgment-free
NPR's A Martinez speaks with actor Matthew McConaughey about his new children's book, Just Because, which offers life lessons in couplets.