Book News & Features

Luthier Freeman Vines sits with his hand-carved guitars in the tobacco field by his house, 2015.

Capturing The Undersung Blues People Of The Rural South

8:09am July 07, 2019

by Debbie Elliott

Tim Duffy started Music Maker Relief Foundation to support blues musicians lost to time and poverty. He's also photographed their portraits for a new book, compilation album and museum exhibition.

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The Poetry Foundation's Ydalmi Noriega says poetry is more than just "dead men walking by a pond in the 19th century."

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Podcasts Are Providing A New Way Into Poetry

7:00am June 29, 2019

by Jeevika Verma

A poem on the page has its appeal — but poetry spoken aloud is a more intimate experience. And a new crop of podcasts are expanding poetry, giving context to poems and drawing in new audiences.

From BTTM FDRS, by Ezra Claytan Daniels and Ben Passmore

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Of Tenants And Tentacles: 'BTTM FDRS' Confronts Gentrification In Comic Horror Form

7:00am June 27, 2019

by Etelka Lehoczky

Ezra Claytan Daniels and Ben Passmore's new graphic novel is a comic-horror take on the very real problem of gentrification that follows two young artists moving to a struggling Chicago neighborhood.

Judith Krantz's novels introduced generations of readers to the finer things in life.

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Champagne, Caviar And No Shame At All: Remembering Judith Krantz

4:21pm June 26, 2019

by Barrie Hardymon

The novelist, who died last week at 91, was often slammed by critics as a frivolous sex-and-shopping writer. But her luxuries were meticulously researched and her sex scenes gloriously shameless.

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Why We're Reading Beowulf In The Bathtub

7:00am June 22, 2019

by Juanita Giles

NPR's new kids' fiction column — by Juanita Giles, founder of the Virginia Children's Book Festival — kicks off with an explanation of why the epic poem Beowulf is the perfect bathtime read.

Joy Harjo will become the 23rd poet laureate of the United States, making her the first Native American to hold the position.

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Joy Harjo Becomes The First Native American U.S. Poet Laureate

10:53pm June 19, 2019

A member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, the 68-year-old poet and musician says she bears "the honor on behalf of the people and my ancestors" and aims to serve as an "ambassador" of the art form.

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From left: Gloria Amaya, José Amaya, Silvia Gómez, and Alicia Villanueva, the founder of Tamales Los Mayas. A graduate of La Cocina's program for food entrepreneurs, Villanueva now provides catering to scores of Bay Area companies each month, and her ta

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The Food Business Incubator That Helps Immigrant Women Pursue The American Dream

12:36pm June 16, 2019

by Mandalit del Barco

Since 2005, San Francisco's La Cocina has helped low-income entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Some went on to recognition from the prestigious James Beard awards. A new book tells their stories.

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Clockwise from top left: Alexandra Petri, Guy Branum, Samantha Irby and Aparna Nancherla are judges for this 2019 NPR Summer Reader Poll.

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Summer Reader Poll 2019: Meet Our Expert Panelists!

1:19pm June 13, 2019

by Petra Mayer

We've got fantastic judges for this year's summer reader poll! Alexandra Petri, Aparna Nancherla, Guy Branum and Samantha Irby will take your votes and curate a final list of 100 side-splitting reads.

Eric Carle and his most famous creation, during a 2009 appearance on the Today show.

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A Very Happy 50th Birthday To 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'

11:07am June 12, 2019

by Neda Ulaby

Will author and artist Eric Carle's famously peckish creation be munching his way through some birthday cake? (Along with the salami, the pickle, the watermelon and the slice of Swiss cheese.)

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LOL — This Year's Summer Reader Poll Is All About Funny Books

2:42pm June 11, 2019

by Petra Mayer

Take these books ... please?! Our famous Summer Reader Poll is back, and this year we're celebrating funny books. What makes you laugh — or giggle, or even just snicker quietly? We want to know!