Books

"I am / a nonstop ball of energy. / Powerful and full of light. / I am a go-getter. A difference maker. / A leader."

Books
Arts

A New Picture Book Reminds Black Sons: You Are 'Every Good Thing'

8:48am October 24, 2020

by Samantha Balaban

When Derrick Barnes began writing children's books 15 years ago, he didn't see Black kids — boys in particular — depicted in positive, affirming ways. His latest book is called I Am Every Good Thing.

Books
Arts

Yes, There's Conflict — But No One's The Bad Guy In 'Memorial'

7:51am October 24, 2020

by Scott Simon

Bryan Washington's debut novel brings together an eclectic cast of characters who redefine family. He says he wanted to write about people operating from a place of love, rather than disdain or hate.

Books
Arts

Washington Irving's Headless Horseman Of Sleepy Hollow Turns 200

7:51am October 24, 2020

NPR's Scott Simon talks to historian Elizabeth Bradley about the 200th anniversary of the publication of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Books
Arts

'Snapped' Grounds A Sparky Romance In Real-World Experience

7:00am October 24, 2020

by Denny S. Bryce

Alexa Martin draws on her own life for the latest in her series of football-themed romances. Snapped deals with some of the problems that plague the sport, but never loses sight of the love story.

Here's a sampling of books Code Switch readers recommended.

Books

What Code Switch Listeners Are Reading During The Pandemic

5:23pm October 23, 2020

by Natalie Escobar

Some want escapist reads to distract themselves during these times, while others are turning to books that lean into the darkness and dread of the pandemic.

Books

Don DeLillo On New Novel, 'The Silence'

4:43pm October 23, 2020

Ailsa Chang talks with Don DeLillo about his novel, The Silence.

'Fresh Air' Reflects On The Psychedelic Movement

1:35pm October 23, 2020

by Terry Gross

We listen to a 1983 interview with psychologist Timothy Leary, a 1990 interview with spiritual leader Ram Dass and a 2018 interview with How to Change Your Mind author Michael Pollan.

Queue Listen Now

Books

'Knockout': A Memoir About A Journey From Self-Hate To Self-Love

5:04pm October 22, 2020

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Mia Kang, author of Knockout, about her history of body issues, modeling and the transition to Muay Thai fighter.

Books
Arts

'Flamer' Offers Real Hope — Not Just Rainbows — To Queer Kids

10:23am October 22, 2020

by Juanita Giles

Mike Curato's new young adult graphic novel Flamer follows a teenager struggling with self-hate and all the different parts of his identity — being a Catholic, a Boy Scout, and being gay.

Books

'Why We Act': What Makes People Decide To Speak Up Or Stay Silent

4:35pm October 21, 2020

NPR's Tonya Mosley talks with Catherine Sanderson, author of the book Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels, about how willingness to stand up to wrongdoing affects political decisions.