Books

'New York Times' writer Frank Bruni on what losing eyesight taught him about life

4:55pm March 01, 2022

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Frank Bruni about his new book The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found, a memoir about the author partially losing his eyesight.

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Arts

A woman finds as many constraints in America as at home in India in 'Border Less'

5:39am March 01, 2022

by Martha Anne Toll

The character in Namrata Poddar's novel works in a call center and dreams of a new life in the U.S. but once there, she and other emigrants feel "othered" at work and in daily life.

Books

'What My Bones Know' is Stephanie Foo's memoir on living with complex PTSD

8:53am February 27, 2022

by Sarah McCammon

Sarah McCammon speaks with author and journalist Stephanie Foo about her new book, "What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma."

Books

Beyoncé collaborator Warsan Shire releases her first full collection of poetry

8:12am February 27, 2022

by Sarah McCammon

Warsan Shire's poetry rocketed into public view when she collaborated with Beyoncé on the visual album "Lemonade." Sarah McCammon asks Shire about her first full collection of poetry.

Books

'Checkout 19' encapsulates a lifelong love affair with the magic of books

7:59am February 26, 2022

by Scott Simon

An English schoolgirl discovers the power of reading, writing and imagination in the new novel, "Checkout 19." Scott Simon speaks with author Claire-Louise Bennett about her story.

Books
Arts

Frederick Douglass biographer traces the rise of a legendary abolitionist and orator

1:33pm February 25, 2022

by Dave Davies

David Blight's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography traced Douglass' path from slavery to abolitionist and inspired HBO's documentary, Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches. Originally broadcast in 2018.

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Very Funny Ladies: The New Yorker's Women Cartoonists, Liza Donnelly

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Arts

'Very Funny Ladies' sketches out the history of women cartoonists at 'The New Yorker'

5:30am February 25, 2022

by Tanya Ballard Brown

Liza Donnelly has had a long career writing and drawing cartoons for The New Yorker. In her latest book, she continues her examination of the history of women cartoonists and the storied magazine.

A collection of pandemic-related literature.

Books
Arts

Are we ready for COVID-19 as a central theme in literature?

3:34pm February 24, 2022

by Gabino Iglesias

Reading about plagues or COVID-19 over the last two years was not an entertaining idea for many. But the pandemic has had an impact on literature — and people may be ready for it to enter the canon.

A bee sucks nectar from a flower in Berlin, Germany. Bee populations are in decline in industrialized nations across the globe.

The world's insect population is in decline — and that's bad news for humans

1:19pm February 24, 2022

by Dave Davies

Environmental writer Oliver Milman says habitat loss, pesticides and climate change are killing off insects worldwide, which, in turn, threatens humans. His new book is The Insect Crisis.

Authors Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson say it's important to be honest with children about the history of race and slavery in America.

Books

'Born on the Water' gives Black children in America their origin story

5:00am February 24, 2022

by Jason Fuller

Authors Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson discuss the importance of teaching young people about the history of slavery and racism in America with honesty and respect.

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