Tiphanie Yanique's 'Monster in the Middle' tackles love and religion
NPR's Scott Simon speaks to author Tiphanie Yanique about her new book, "Monster in the Middle.
Books
A refugee at 4, he felt like a lost star. Now his voice shines in a graphic memoir
When Stars Are Scattered is the story of Omar Mohamed's years at a refugee camp in Kenya. He cared for his brother and found the courage to dream big. The book was a National Book Awards finalist.
'This Thing Between Us' wants to hurt you — and you should let it
Gus Moreno's new novel follows a man who flees the city where his wife's murder became a political and media sensation, but he can't escape either his grief or the thing that haunted their apartment.
Anthology 'The Matter of Black Lives' reflects on America's past to guide its future
NPR's Sarah McCammon talks with writer Jelani Cobb about a new collection of work from The New Yorker, "The Matter of Black Lives." Cobb co-edited it and wrote the introduction.
In 'Maid,' a single mother struggles to make it on minimum wage
While raising her young daughter, Stephanie Land cleaned houses to scrape by. It was back-aching work for low pay. Her memoir inspired the Netflix series, Maid. Originally broadcast Jan. 29, 2019.
Grover's iconic Sesame Street children's book turns 50
For NPR's 50th anniversary we look at an influential children's book that is turning 50. It features Sesame Street's Grover trying desperately to avoid "The Monster at the End of this Book."
'Why We Fly' flips dusty old cheerleader stereotypes upside down
In their new YA novel, Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal tell the story of a cheerleading squad whose white captain convinces them to take a knee to protest injustice — and the backlash that follows.
Novelist Margaret Verble on history, family and identity
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Margaret Verble, author of When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky, a story about a young Cherokee horse-diver who is finding her way in the Jim Crow South.
Beloved children's author and wilderness enthusiast Gary Paulsen has died at 82
Gary Paulsen — whose wilderness adventure Hatchet taught generations of kids to survive in the forest — worked as a farmhand, truck driver and satellite technician before turning to writing.
A Late Bloomer Makes The Case For Rejecting Life's Typical Timeline
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Doree Shafrir about her book Thanks for Waiting and the obstacles and victories of postponing the usual milestones of success for women like marriage, kids and a career.