NPR's Book of the Day

Beverly Jenkins, pioneering historical romance author with a decades-long career. Emily Henry, bestselling contemporary writer famed for witty, emotionally sharp love stories. Helen Hoang, contemporary novelist centering autistic and Asian American heroines. They debate tropes, writing intimacy and sex scenes, representation and diversity in publishing, and why romance matters now.

Jasmine Guillory, a bestselling romance novelist who centers relationships and race, chats about Party of Two. She describes a meet-cute turned long-distance fling and how race shapes characters' worldviews. Conversations about arrest experiences, food as intimacy, and the need for real talk about race in fiction also come up.

Sally Rooney, an Irish novelist who explores relationships, class, and identity, revisits Normal People. She discusses how a private romance shapes identity. She talks about shared suffering, shifting social status in college, the effects of distance, and how her characters keep living beyond the page.

Mary H.K. Choi, author of Emergency Contact, is a novelist who examines young love and modern connection. She discusses how phones complicate relationships. She also tackles race, class, friendship and the ambiguous terrain of sexual assault and consent. The conversation looks at YA as a way to offer hard-won wisdom to younger readers.

M. Night Shyamalan, filmmaker famous for The Sixth Sense, and Nicholas Sparks, bestselling author of romantic dramas, discuss Remain. They describe how their unlikely collaboration mixed romance with supernatural mystery. They talk about shared storytelling roots, genre blending, and the journey from book to film.

Mark Medley, a journalist and author of "Live to See the Day," explores the journeys of people pursuing unlikely goals, like a no-hope political candidate and an amateur searching for a missing duck. He reflects on the thin line between aspiration and delusion, emphasizing how failure can teach valuable lessons. Comedian Chris Duffy, author of "Humor Me," discusses how humor can be taught and its vital role in breaking routine. He shares anecdotes about finding joy in unexpected moments and highlights humor's profound social and health benefits.

Googoosh, an iconic Iranian pop star and actress, shares her remarkable journey from a vibrant pre-revolution Tehran to years of exile. She discusses the restrictions faced by women singers post-1979, including her harrowing 28-day imprisonment for defying cultural bans. With candid reflections on her struggles during decades of silence, Googoosh reveals how the diaspora's support fueled her triumphant return to the stage in Toronto. Throughout, she expresses a deep longing for her homeland and a hope for Iran's future.

Sarah Harman, a debut novelist and former news reporter, dives into her lighthearted novel, *All the Other Mothers Hate Me*, which explores the chaos of a missing-child mystery. She shares insights about her protagonist, Florence, a single mom navigating British culture as an outsider. Harman explains Florence's unique approach to parental challenges and contrasts her depth of emotion with traditional detective tropes. The discussion highlights how far one might go for loved ones and the quirks of Florence's son, Dylan.

Jacob Soboroff, a journalist and correspondent deeply affected by the LA wildfires, shares his firsthand experiences in his book, *Firestorm*. He recounts the emotional turmoil of reporting from the charred remains of his childhood neighborhood. The discussion delves into the misinformation that spread during the crisis, the severe health risks facing responders, and the complexities of recovery and housing inequities that emerged post-disaster. Soboroff emphasizes the intersection of infrastructure, climate change, and community resilience in these trying times.

Daniyal Mueenuddin, author of the debut novel *This Is Where the Serpent Lives*, is an acclaimed writer whose short stories received prestigious nominations. In this engaging conversation, he explores the generational saga set in modern Pakistan, focusing on themes like class and corruption. He shares insights into his novel-writing process, the significance of a boy's shoes in the narrative, and how a tea stall serves as an informal education. Mueenuddin also reflects on his own life experiences that inspire his characters and plots.