Books

'Rich White Men' reinforces the argument that inequality harms us all

10:45am June 21, 2023

by Ericka Taylor

While not a new concept, Garrett Neiman makes distinct contributions to the conversation; as a rich white man, he has insider's access to that population — and doesn't shy away from self-indictment.

Dan Solomon's The Fight for Midnight is a coming-of-age novel set in June of 2013, during former Texas state senator Wendy Davis' 13 hour filibuster of an abortion bill.

In 'The Fight for Midnight,' a teen boy confronts the abortion debate

8:23am June 21, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

Dan Solomon's YA novel The Fight for Midnight takes place during former Texas state lawmaker Wendy Davis' filibuster of a bill that would restrict access to abortion. The protagonist is a teen boy.

Jenny Xie's debut novel is Holding Pattern.

Books

Mother-daughter relationships are fraught. Jenny Xie explores how

5:04pm June 20, 2023

by Manuela López Restrepo

Jenny Xie's new novel dives into how "strange, infuriating and precious" mothers can be to their daughters.

Jenny Xie tackles a fraught mother-daughter relationship in novel 'Holding Pattern'

4:39pm June 20, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Jenny Xie about her first novel, Holding Pattern. It takes a familiar story — a young adult who decides to move home — and flips it on its head.

'The Brightest Star' tells Anna May Wong's life story from her imagined perspective

4:39pm June 20, 2023

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with author Gail Tsukiyama about her new novel The Brightest Star, a fictional account of the life of actress Anna May Wong.

Books
Arts

Pain and pleasure do the tango in the engrossing new novel 'Kairos'

1:58pm June 20, 2023

by John Powers

A young student in East Berlin falls in love with a much older writer in the run-up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is a love story and a rich portrait of people watching their country disappear.

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Books
Arts

A new book celebrates the contributions of America's Black working class

1:31pm June 19, 2023

by Tonya Mosley

In Black Folk, Blair Kelley portrays generations of Black workers — Pullman porters, domestic laborers, USPS employees, COVID-19 essential workers — who have contributed to the nation's prosperity.

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Books

Remembering comic book legend John Romita Sr.

9:26am June 18, 2023

by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to Marvel Comics editor Nick Lowe about legendary comic book artist John Romita Sr., who died last week. He was known for creating many iconic Spider-Man moments.

Books
Arts

'The Dos and Donuts of Love' is a delectably delightful, reality TV tale

6:00am June 18, 2023

by Alethea Kontis

Bangladeshi-Irish author Adiba Jaigirdar's latest YA romance promises a spoonful of drama and a dash of deception, leading to a well-baked resolution.

Books

Death investigator Barbara Butcher knows 'What the Dead Know'

9:21am June 17, 2023

by Don Gonyea

As a New York City death investigator, Barbara Butcher investigated countless cases, from homicides to natural deaths. NPR's Don Gonyea talks with Butcher about her memoir, "What the Dead Know."