Poet Tess Taylor Invites People To Embrace Darkness Of This Time Of Year
As 2020 draws to an end, poet Tess Taylor shares some poems that invite listeners into the dark of our times and the darkness of this time of year.
Books
Books To Share With Kids During Tough Times
Even without the pandemic, life's toughest challenges are hard to explain to a child. NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with author Matt de la Peña about children's books that may give parents a little help.
Trio Of Books Shows A Southeast Asia Caught Between World Powers
Three regional experts agree there's no desire in Southeast Asia to pick Washington over Beijing. U.S. strategy should look through the lens of the region itself — not just focus on containing China.
To End The Year, 3 Reads That Prove Romance Is For Everyone
For December, our columnist Maya Rodale has rounded up three must-reads where romance is for everyone who's willing to take a risk, from regular girls to royals.
Stephen King Is Sorry You Feel Like You're Stuck In A Stephen King Novel
The horror writer says he understands why fans have said the pandemic feels like living inside one of his novels. In April 2020, King told Fresh Air that COVID-19 filled him with a "gnawing anxiety."
The Kids' Books That Helped 2020 Go By — And A Few To Look Forward To
As the year draws to a close, our kids' books columnist Juanita Giles looks back at some of the books that helped her family get through 2020 — and ahead to some exciting titles for next year.
A Poet Reflects On How We Reckon — Or Fail To Reckon — With The Legacy Of Slavery
Atlantic writer Clint Smith grew up surrounded by Confederate iconography, being told that the Civil War wasn't about slavery. He shares a poem from his forthcoming book, How the Word Is Passed.
Poetry Escapes The Beauty Bind In 'Wound From The Mouth Of A Wound'
In her debut collection, poet torrin a. greathouse explores what it means to be both trans and disabled, and the ways beauty can be a trap for trans women — so why not write towards ugliness?
NPR Book Concierge: Four Romance Recommendations
Looking for a good book to finish the year? We have four recommendations for books about love, romance and relationships.
Trump Isn't The 1st President To Have Had A Tense Relationship With The Media
NPR's Don Gonyea speaks with Harold Holzer about his book, "The Presidents vs. The Press: The Endless Battle Between The White House and the Media from the Founding Fathers to Fake News."