Author Interviews

Books
Arts

D. L. Hughley: 'Everybody Knows' Independence Day Didn't Free Us All

2:30pm July 04, 2020

by Scott Simon

In his new book, Surrender, White People!, Hughley suggests we consider whether our national holidays speak to the entire nation — along with other bitingly funny ideas for addressing injustice.

Queue Listen Now

Books

Dr. Michele Harper Shares More Than A Decade Of ER Experience In New Memoir

7:58am July 04, 2020

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Dr. Michele Harper about her new memoir, The Beauty in Breaking.

Queue Listen Now

Dr. Danielle Ofri, author of When We Do Harm: A Doctor Confronts Medical Error, says medical mistakes are likely to increase as resource-strapped hospitals treat a rapid influx of COVID-19 patients.

A Doctor Confronts Medical Errors — And Flaws In The System That Create Mistakes

3:11pm June 30, 2020

by Dave Davies

Dr. Danielle Ofri says medical errors are more common than most people realize: "If we don't talk about the emotions that keep doctors and nurses from speaking up, we'll never solve this problem."

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

Kevin Kwan's New 'Sex And Vanity' Is A Summer Romp With A Satirical Sting

8:19am June 28, 2020

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

For his latest novel, Kevin Kwan decided to update one of his own favorite books, A Room With a View. The result is Sex and Vanity, a fun, decadent whirl that manages to take on some serious subjects.

Books

Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia On Her New Haunted House Mystery

7:57am June 27, 2020

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's new novel Mexican Gothic features a newlywed, her cousin, and a mansion that terrifies. NPR's Scott Simon talks with the author about the appeal of horror.

Queue Listen Now

A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America's First All-Black High School Rowing Team, by Arshay Cooper

'A Most Beautiful Thing' Tells Of The First U.S. All-Black High School Rowing Team

7:57am June 27, 2020

by Scott Simon

In A Most Beautiful Thing, Arshay Cooper shares the story of how he, and others from rival gang neighborhoods on Chicago's West Side, found their way to crew — and each other.

LGBTQ Activist Cleve Jones: 'I'm Well Aware How Fragile Life Is'

1:26pm June 26, 2020

by Terry Gross

Jones lost countless friends to the AIDS epidemic. He became an activist after Harvey Milk's assassination: "Meeting Harvey, seeing his death, it fixed my course." Originally broadcast Nov. 29, 2016.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

'Fresh Air' Marks Pride Month With Novelist Marijane Meaker

1:26pm June 26, 2020

by Terry Gross

Meaker wrote the lesbian pulp novel Spring Fire in 1952, and was surprised when it sold 1.5 million copies. She went on to write other lesbian-themed books under pen names. Originally broadcast 2003.

Queue Listen Now

Books

Journalist Kevin Powell On His New Book And His Hopes And Fears For His Future Child

5:26am June 26, 2020

NPR'S Rachel Martin speaks with writer, journalist and activist Kevin Powell about his New York Times essay, A Letter from Father to Child, excerpted from his new book, When We Free the World.

Queue Listen Now

A poll worker cleans a voting booth between voters during a primary election on June 23 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Have Questions About Voting? A Law Professor Tells You 'What You Need To Know'

2:19pm June 25, 2020

by Rachel Martin

In a new book, Kim Wehle explains voting basics. She tells NPR, "if we don't go to the polls to protect democracy itself, it could fail. And I believe that's what's on the ballot in November."

Queue Listen Now