Author Interviews

Books
Arts

Ibram X. Kendi: Racism Isn't An Identity, It's What You're Doing In The Moment

8:46pm August 13, 2019

by Rachel Martin

Writer Ibram X. Kendi's new book tackles one of today's most important topics. How to Be an Antiracist lays out his definition of what makes a racist — and what people can do to combat racism.

'Kochland': How The Koch Brothers Changed U.S. Corporate And Political Power

1:44pm August 13, 2019

by Terry Gross

In a new book, Christopher Leonard chronicles how Koch Industries acquired huge businesses, limited its liability and created a political influence network to remake the GOP.

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Books

Ibram X. Kendi's Latest Book: 'How To Be An Antiracist'

7:29am August 13, 2019

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to author Ibram X. Kendi, who has made a name for himself tackling one of the most sensitive topics in America: racism. His latest book is How to Be an Antiracist.

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Sister Helen Prejean has written a new memoir called River of Fire, detailing her spiritual life before her activism against the death penalty.

Sister Helen Prejean On Witnessing Executions: 'I Couldn't Let Them Die Alone'

2:32pm August 12, 2019

by Terry Gross

The Catholic nun became an outspoken opponent of the death penalty following the events in her book Dead Man Walking. Her new memoir, River of Fire, details her spiritual journey up to that point.

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When author Andrea Davis Pinkney decided to write a book about a sit in, her husband Brian Pinkney asked, "How am I going to illustrate this, Andrea? They're just sitting." She told him: "Well, honey ... I'm sure you'll think of something." And he did. Th

Books
Arts

The Pinkneys Are A Picture Book Perfect, Author-Illustrator Couple

9:19am August 11, 2019

Author Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrator Brian Pinkney have been together for 30 years and collaborated on nearly 20 books. "It's fun to work with the one you love," Andrea says.

Author Téa Obreht's new Inland was inspired by myths of the American West.

Books
Arts

Téa Obreht's Latest Is Steeped In The Supernatural — Also, There Are Camels

8:04am August 11, 2019

by Lynn Neary

Téa Obreht's new novel, Inland, was inspired by the myths of the American West, and by a little-known episode in U.S. history: the military's unsuccessful attempt to use camels as pack animals.

Books

Sarah M. Broom On 'The Yellow House'

8:34am August 10, 2019

Sarah M. Broom's debut memoir The Yellow House tells the sprawling tale of a family in New Orleans East and the home that was wiped away by Hurricane Katrina. She talks with NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer.

Books
Arts

'Fresh Air' Remembers Toni Morrison With 3 Conversations Over 4 Decades

2:03pm August 09, 2019

by Terry Gross

The Nobel laureate died Monday at 88. Terry Gross talked with Morrison in 1987 after she wrote Beloved, in 1992 after she authored Jazz and in 2015 when she published God Help the Child.

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Stories From Arab Female Reporters In 'Our Women On The Ground'

5:13am August 08, 2019

NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Zahra Hankir, editor of Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World.

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A view of a McDonald's fast-food restaurant in Des Plaines, Ill., circa 1955. A new book explores the complicated bond between Americans and fast food.

Books
Arts

'Drive-Thru Dreams' Explores America's Love-Hate Relationship With Fast Food

5:22pm August 07, 2019

by Luisa Torres

Americans have a torturous relationship with fast food. We vilify it but also view it through a nostalgic lens. A new book explores this complicated yet seemingly unshakable bond.