Ken Jennings knows about everything. That now includes the afterlife
You might know Ken Jennings as the Jeopardy! genius-turned host. But he's also an author, and a guy who really wants to know stuff.
Books
'An Amerikan Family' traces the legacy of Tupac Shakur's influential family
The late rapper — who was killed at 25 in 1996 — would have turned 52 this year. Santi Elijah Holley's new book follows the Shakur family tree and their work in the Black Liberation Movement.
'To Name the Bigger Lie' is an investigation of the nature of truth
Sarah Viren's memoir, drawing from two life episodes, has the page-turning quality of a thriller. But instead of solving mysteries, she untangles philosophical tensions in pursuit of what is real.
A rare collection of American literature will be auctioned off at Christie's
Bruce Lisman is selling a trove of 18th and 19th-century American books and rarities. His collection offers a rare look into the foundations of American literature.
Illinois becomes the first state in the U.S. to ban book bans
In Illinois, there's now a ban on banning books. Schools or libraries that do so could end up losing state funds.
Cormac McCarthy, American novelist of the stark and dark, dies at 89
The author of The Road, Blood Meridian and No Country For Old Men embodied a strong Southwestern sensibility, writing often about men grappling with the existence of evil.
In 'Loot,' Tipu's Tiger tells a story of war, art and love
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to Tania James about her new novel, Loot. The plot travels from India to Europe, touching on war, immigration, love and art.
The Catholic Church profited from slavery — 'The 272' explains how
"You don't hear about enslaved people at Mass or in Sunday school," says Rachel Swarns. Her new book tells the story of 272 enslaved people sold in 1838 to help save what is now Georgetown University.
Paul McCartney's photos of early Beatlemania are in a book and on display in London
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Paul McCartney about his book of photographs from the time the Beatles first visited the United States.
Elizabeth Gilbert halts release of a new book after outcry over its Russian setting
The Snow Forest by the author of Eat, Pray, Love was set to be released in February 2024, exactly two years after Russia invaded Ukraine. The backlash included hundreds of negative GoodReads reviews.