Books & Reading

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to children's book critic Melissa LaSalle about audiobook recommendations for kids.

NPR's Scott Simon talks with journalist Geoff Bennett about his new book, "Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to '90s Sitcoms."

The author of a new children’s book about Nowruz, or Persian New Year, is heartbroken over the number of young people killed in the Iran war. But, she’s still celebrating the holiday in their honor.

The public library's book club geared toward students in sixth through eighth grade chose to read and discuss This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson, but the event was ultimately canceled following community outcry.

Cartoonist Lauren Haldeman talks about her new collection, Wild That We’re Alive. Then a dance theater performance explores the emotional and physical toll of infertility and pregnancy loss.

The book by Andy Weir centers around a middle school science teacher who finds himself aboard a spaceship light-years away from Earth and entrusted with saving the planet.

Spufford's new novel centers a young woman in sexist World War II England as she navigates romance, tries to survive the nightly bombings of the Blitz and fights time-traveling fascists.

Countries all around the world will soon send players to the U.S. to compete in one of soccer's biggest events. Roger Bennett explores how past competitions met cultural and geopolitical moments.

NPR's Scott Detrow talks with Tanya Bush about her new cookbook. She writes about a tumultuous year in her life filled with challenges and self discovery -- through baking.

Biographer Daniel Okrent discusses Sondheim's approach to writing music and lyrics, his often toxic relationship with his mother and his work with mentors and collaborators.