NPR's Book of the Day

Daniel James Brown discusses his book 'The Boys in the Boat' about the American rowing team that beat Germany in the 1936 Olympics. Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin talk about 'American Prometheus,' a biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his involvement with the Manhattan Project during the anti-communist era.

Bestselling author of legal thrillers, John Grisham, discusses writing a follow-up to his hit 'The Firm' after three decades. He reflects on his advocacy work for wrongly convicted individuals and doubts about the jury system. Grisham also talks about the changes in Hollywood and managing a busy schedule while declining requests.

The podcast explores the survival of Black women in a male-dominated world in 'The Color Purple', including the portrayal of strong and loving female relationships. Author Alice Walker discusses the development of the characters and the importance of tackling difficult subjects in her novel. The letter format reflects the historical reality of women's experiences and debunking misconceptions about controversial themes.

Isabel Wilkerson discusses her book 'Caste' and argues that caste, not racism, caused The Great Migration. She explores the power dynamics of caste and how it shapes society. The podcast touches on the research process for her books and the importance of listening to marginalized voices.

Author David Grann discusses his book 'Killers of the Flower Moon' which recounts the murders of Osage families by white settlers in the 1920s. The story also involves the FBI's first major homicide investigation, revealing a sinister plot to take over oil-rich land in Oklahoma.

Franny Choi discusses the resilience of marginalized communities in poetry. Billy Collins explores the power of very short poems in his collection. They delve into the impact of non-verbal elements and the intensity of emotions conveyed through brevity. They also touch on the challenges of being a poet laureate and the joy of creativity.

Charlayne Hunter-Gault is a trailblazing journalist. The first Black reporter for The New Yorker's "Talk of the Town" section, she's spent more than a half-century reporting on the lives of Black Americans. Her newest book, My People, is a collection of pieces written throughout her career that provide a nuanced look at Black communities across the U.S. In this episode, she speaks to NPR's Michel Martin about how our country's understanding of race has changed since she first began working as a journalist, but how some things – like the bans on books by certain authors – kind of stay the same. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Bora Chung discusses her collection of genre-bending short stories, including one influenced by her own experiences. The podcast explores Korean elements in fairy tales, concerns about technology, autonomy, societal stigma, and the lack of choice and stigma in pregnancy, particularly for single mothers in South Korea.

When Rabia Chaudry's family moved from Pakistan to the U.S., her parents fully embraced the processed foods lining the grocery store aisles. But as the author and attorney got older, she began to associate eating with shame and secrecy. Her new memoir, Fatty Fatty Boom Boom, recounts how her outlook on food changed as she understood her own mom's eating patterns. In this episode, Chaudry tells NPR's Ayesha Rascoe how she eventually started healing – so much so that she reclaimed her childhood nickname for the title of her book. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Barbara Kingsolver, novelist of Demon Copperhead, talks about the consequences of loss, addiction, and poverty in Appalachia. She discusses the stereotypes and challenges faced by the people of Southwest Virginia, the history and resilience of Appalachia, and the transformative power of art and expression.