Books & Reading

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Mark Kurlansky about his new novel, "Cheesecake." It's a story of New York's restaurant and real estate scenes in the 1980s and, of course, that delectable dessert.

One debate that's sure to draw a lot of strong opinions and hot takes — does listening to an audiobook count as reading? (This story originally aired on July 7 on All Things Considered.)

Christine Brennan tracks Caitlin Clark's rise to becoming an American sports and cultural icon in the new book "On Her Game." Brennan talks to NPR's Scott Simon.

Danzy Senna was born a few years after Loving v. Virginia legalized interracial marriage. "Existing as a family was a radical statement at that time," she says. Originally broadcast Sept. 3, 2024.

Poet Mary Jo Bang has spent the last two decades translating the three books of Dante's Divine Comedy. Purgatorio is the final installment and continues her style of lively, lyrical translation.

Barbara Kingsolver tells the story of poverty and addiction in contemporary Appalachia in her novel “Demon Copperhead.”

The tech world and Wall Street are controlling the levers of society at the expense of more risk-averse institutions, such as the government, academia and the news media.

NPR's Juana Summers talks with writer and critic Lawrence Burney about his new essay collection out titled No Sense in Wishing.

Mottley's latest novel follows three young women as they navigate pregnancy and motherhood in a small town in Florida. She sees the novel as an extension of her work as a doula.

When Renato Poliafito decided to leave advertising to open a bakery, it was American pastry he paid homage to. And then, the Italian influences started creeping in.