NPR's Book of the Day

NPR · en-us · 1335 episodes

In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone's talking about? NPR's Book of the Day gives you today's very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast. Whether you're looking to engage with the big questions of our times – or temporarily escape from them – we've got an author who will speak to you, all genres, mood and writing styles included. Catch today's great books in 15 minutes or less. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll

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last checked 2026-10-07 18:50 · HTTP 200

Top books on NPR's Book of the Day

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2026

Project Hail Mary2 ep
Odyssey1 ep
Hamnet1 ep
An American Marriage1 ep
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius1 ep
Demon Copperhead1 ep
A guide for the perplexed1 ep
Common Sense1 ep

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Demon Copperhead1 ep
Profiles in Courage1 ep
Free Food for Millionaires and Pachinko1 ep
Project Hail Mary2 ep
Odyssey1 ep
Big Little Lies1 ep
Conclave1 ep
Yellowface1 ep

Books & products mentioned on NPR's Book of the Day 24

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What this show connects to

← appeared on Tomi Adeyemi on her new person

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A conversation with Tomi Adeyemi on her new novel 'The Siren'
A conversation with Tomi Adeyemi on her new novel 'The Siren' · 2026-10-07
← appeared on Barbara Kingsolver person

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A visit with Barbara Kingsolver: We talk 'Partita,' piano, aging and Appalachia
A visit with Barbara Kingsolver: We talk 'Partita,' piano, aging and Appalachia · 2026-10-02
← appeared on Emma Straub in her new person

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Traveling in time with Emma Straub in her new novel 'This Time Tomorrow'
Traveling in time with Emma Straub in her new novel 'This Time Tomorrow' · 2022-05-23
← appeared on God as a woman in person

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A retelling of the Book of Genesis with God as a woman in 'Let There Be Light'
A retelling of the Book of Genesis with God as a woman in 'Let There Be Light' · 2022-04-28
← appeared on Rick Atkinson person

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Revisiting the story of the American Revolution with Rick Atkinson
Revisiting the story of the American Revolution with Rick Atkinson · 2026-07-08
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'We Were Liars' author returns for more teenage catharsis in 'We Fell Apart'
'We Were Liars' author returns for more teenage catharsis in 'We Fell Apart' · 2025-11-26
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Ta-Nehisi Coates returns to political writing in his new book 'The Message'
Ta-Nehisi Coates returns to political writing in his new book 'The Message' · 2024-10-01
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Author Liane Moriarty on her long-awaited sequel to 'Big Little Lies'
Author Liane Moriarty on her long-awaited sequel to 'Big Little Lies' · 2026-09-07
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Author Jade Chang on the books she's reading to keep summer going
Author Jade Chang on the books she's reading to keep summer going · 2026-09-09
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Chang-Rae Lee on whether his new novel 'A Tender Age' is autobiographical
Chang-Rae Lee on whether his new novel 'A Tender Age' is autobiographical · 2026-08-27
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Political strategist Ben Wikler on how Democrats can regain ground
Political strategist Ben Wikler on how Democrats can regain ground · 2026-08-11
← appeared on Laverne Cox person

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Laverne Cox on her childhood, 'Walden' and her new memoir 'Transcendent'
Laverne Cox on her childhood, 'Walden' and her new memoir 'Transcendent' · 2026-06-25
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Lena Dunham on her memoir 'Famesick' and the intense bond between 'Girls' co-stars
Lena Dunham on her memoir 'Famesick' and the intense bond between 'Girls' co-stars · 2026-05-07
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John Sayles on Henry Ford, Detroit and his new historical novel 'Crucible'
John Sayles on Henry Ford, Detroit and his new historical novel 'Crucible' · 2026-04-14
← appeared on Patrick Radden Keefe person

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Patrick Radden Keefe on 'London Falling' and the mystery of Zac Brettler
Patrick Radden Keefe on 'London Falling' and the mystery of Zac Brettler · 2026-04-13
← appeared on Brush up person

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Brush up on American history with 'Common Sense' and 'We the People'
Brush up on American history with 'Common Sense' and 'We the People' · 2026-02-20
← appeared on Jeff Kinney person

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Jeff Kinney on his iconic, now 20-book 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series
Jeff Kinney on his iconic, now 20-book 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series · 2025-12-23
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Paul McCartney on his band 'Wings,' plus the story of indie label Bloodshot Records
Paul McCartney on his band 'Wings,' plus the story of indie label Bloodshot Records · 2025-12-19
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Stephen King on 'The Shining' sequel and the novel he co-authored with his son
Stephen King on 'The Shining' sequel and the novel he co-authored with his son · 2025-10-31
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Shirley Jackson’s biographer on the writer’s ability to find evil in the ordinary
Shirley Jackson’s biographer on the writer’s ability to find evil in the ordinary · 2025-10-29
← appeared on Princeton professor Susan Wolfson person

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Princeton professor Susan Wolfson on why we love 'Frankenstein' two centuries later
Princeton professor Susan Wolfson on why we love 'Frankenstein' two centuries later · 2025-10-28
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Mark Greaney takes on geopolitics in the latest installment of the Gray Man series
Mark Greaney takes on geopolitics in the latest installment of the Gray Man series · 2025-02-24
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Rebecca Yarros on literary tropes, writing through chronic illness and 'Fourth Wing'
Rebecca Yarros on literary tropes, writing through chronic illness and 'Fourth Wing' · 2024-10-26
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James McBride on music, writing and 'The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store'
James McBride on music, writing and 'The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store' · 2024-09-20
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Nancy Pelosi opens up about how she wields 'The Art of Power'
Nancy Pelosi opens up about how she wields 'The Art of Power' · 2024-08-09
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Amy Tan opens up about her birding obsession in 'The Backyard Bird Chronicles'
Amy Tan opens up about her birding obsession in 'The Backyard Bird Chronicles' · 2024-05-02
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Two thrillers raise questions about writing from a particular race and identity
Two thrillers raise questions about writing from a particular race and identity · 2023-09-01
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Two novels offer new perspectives on the women of Greek mythology
Two novels offer new perspectives on the women of Greek mythology · 2023-04-28
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Michelle Obama talks marriage, motherhood and 'going high' in 'The Light We Carry'
Michelle Obama talks marriage, motherhood and 'going high' in 'The Light We Carry' · 2022-11-16
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Bono writes about the faith and ecstasy of U2's music in 'Surrender'
Bono writes about the faith and ecstasy of U2's music in 'Surrender' · 2022-11-08
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Two authors on writing unlikable characters and the power of storytelling
Two authors on writing unlikable characters and the power of storytelling · 2022-09-30
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Two writers on friendships and how they shape us
Two writers on friendships and how they shape us · 2022-10-07
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Devon Price on self-acceptance and expression for people with autism
Devon Price on self-acceptance and expression for people with autism · 2022-08-09
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Two Indigenous authors on the legacy of a shared, painful history
Two Indigenous authors on the legacy of a shared, painful history · 2022-07-15
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Danielle Evans and Brit Bennett on the lies we tell ourselves
Danielle Evans and Brit Bennett on the lies we tell ourselves · 2022-07-01
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Devon Price on the freedom of "unmasking" for people with autism
Devon Price on the freedom of "unmasking" for people with autism · 2022-05-03
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Danielle Evans and Brit Bennett on the lies we tell ourselves
Danielle Evans and Brit Bennett on the lies we tell ourselves · 2021-12-17
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Tiphanie Yanique and Dawnie Walton on music, monsters, and family baggage
Tiphanie Yanique and Dawnie Walton on music, monsters, and family baggage · 2021-11-05
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Amor Towles' new book is about a road trip that takes more than a few U-turns
Amor Towles' new book is about a road trip that takes more than a few U-turns · 2021-10-18
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ESPN soccer correspondent Julien Laurens on why Kylian Mbappé is “wired differently”
ESPN soccer correspondent Julien Laurens on why Kylian Mbappé is “wired differently” · 2026-07-29

Episodes

A conversation with Tomi Adeyemi on her new novel 'The Siren'

2026-10-07 · 17 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 4 entities
In 'History by a Hair,' DNA offers answers to an old question about Thomas Jefferson

2026-10-06 · 8 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 3 entities
'Pachinko' author Min Jin Lee says writing 'American Hagwon' transformed her

2026-10-05 · 11 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 3 entities
A visit with Barbara Kingsolver: We talk 'Partita,' piano, aging and Appalachia

2026-10-02 · 31 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 5 entities
'Profiles in Cowardice' argues leaders failed to push back against President Trump

2026-10-01 · 8 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 3 entities
In 'Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel,' Lucy Foley continues Agatha Christie's legacy

2026-09-30 · 9 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 2 entities
'Redwood' is a true tale of a KGB agent who offered to spy for Britain

2026-09-29 · 9 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 3 entities
'Taipei Story' is a more personal novel from 'Yellowface' author R.F. Kuang

2026-09-28 · 11 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 3 entities
'Tropesick' and 'Extracurricular' are romance novels that subvert genre expectations

2026-09-25 · 17 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 2 entities
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on why he’s the 'worst possible spokesperson' for his own book

2026-09-24 · 8 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 2 entities
Emily St. John Mandel's 'Exit Party' opens in the wake of a second American Civil War

2026-09-23 · 9 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 2 entities
'Grit' author Angela Duckworth on how changing your situation can lead to success

2026-09-22 · 11 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 2 entities
'Conclave' author Robert Harris is out with a fictional Roman Empire memoir

2026-09-21 · 9 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 3 entities
In new memoir, Colin Kaepernick reflects on his historic national anthem protest

2026-09-18 · 24 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 2 entities
'Seasons of Fury' traces the roots of Islamophobia in the United States

2026-09-17 · 8 min · NPR's Book of the Day · 2 entities

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