NPR's Book of the Day

Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Selleck share insights on their new memoirs, discussing family dynamics, Hollywood experiences, and coping with loss. Goldberg reflects on beauty standards and grief, while Selleck talks about his reluctance towards roles and being labeled a 'mustachioed hunk'.

Karla Tatiana Vasquez discusses her mission to collect and preserve Salvadoran recipes and the stories of women passing them down. The SalviSoul Cookbook celebrates the relationship between food, migration, and trauma. Vasquez's journey highlights the importance of honoring cultural heritage through authentic recipes and traditions.

Ruth Reichl, author of The Paris Novel, discusses indulging in life's simple pleasures in 1980s Paris, writing in honor of her late editor, and why she chose to set her story in the City of Light. The podcast explores themes of art, fashion, and the joy of food, with a focus on a character's transformative journey and the dream-like portrayal of Paris.

Tracie McMillan discusses the financial impact of white privilege in 'The White Bonus.' She dives into generations of economic policy, personal family rifts, systemic inequalities in employment, education, historical advantages, personal struggles, and the importance of acknowledging complicity in perpetuating racial disparities.

Caoilinn Hughes' novel The Alternatives revolves around the four Flattery sisters, each with a more impressive career or degree than the last, all with a profound grief for the parents they lost at a young age. When one of the sisters purposely goes off the grid, the other three are reunited in the Irish countryside in an attempt to find her. In today's episode, NPR's Andrew Limbong asks Hughes about crafting the witty dialogue between the sisters, writing side characters that jump off the page and getting feedback from her own siblings. To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

WNBA star Brittney Griner shares her harrowing ordeal of being detained in Russia, detailing the mistreatment she faced and the emotional toll it took on her. She discusses her return to the US, reuniting with loved ones, and trying to forgive herself. The podcast explores her endurance through faith and resilience, as well as her potential return to playing overseas to represent the United States.

Author Emily Raboteau shares insights on parenting through social and environmental crises in 'Lessons for Survival.' She explores radical care, resilience, and interdependence, discussing the impact of Hurricane Sandy, bird symbolism, water crises, and addressing climate crisis through communication and local action.

Author Colm Tóibín discusses his unexpected sequel to 'Brooklyn,' 'Long Island,' following protagonist Eilis Lacey in her 40s. The story delves into her domestic upheaval after discovering her husband's affair. Tóibín explores Eilis's return to Ireland, cultural clashes, and the evolution of self-perception, leaving room for future sequels.

Chanel Miller, known for her memoir on sexual assault, now dives into writing a children's book about lost socks in NYC. She discusses the inspiration behind the book, the importance of kindness, and the symbolism of socks. The podcast reflects on her move to NYC during the pandemic and the healing power of openness and community.

Real Americans, the new novel by Rachel Khong, spans generations and decades within a family to understand the ongoing struggle to make sense of race, class and identity in the United States. Like with any family story, there are secrets and confrontations and difficult conversations, too; that desire to fill in the gaps about where we come from and how it has shaped our lineage is at the center of today's interview with Khong and NPR's Juana Summers. To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy