NPR's Book of the Day

The podcast discusses the mass emigration of Jewish refugees before WWI, focusing on three businessmen who facilitated it. It highlights the similarities between anti-immigrant rhetoric then and now, and the personal significance of this history for the author.

Maurice Vellekoop's graphic memoir delves into his coming out journey to his religious family, highlighting his cherished childhood memories with his mother and surprising support from his father. The episode explores personal relationships, struggles with sexuality, and artistic influences that shaped the visual style of the memoir.

Xochitl Gonzalez's novel explores the mysterious death of artist Anita de Monte, drawing inspiration from real-life artist Ana Mendieta. The podcast delves into themes of ego, power, and marriage in the art world, while discussing the complexities of artistic influence, personal identity, and success in relationships.

Tommy Orange discusses his new book 'Wandering Stars,' a sequel to 'There, There,' exploring Native American identity and historical narratives. He shares his inspiration from a museum visit in Sweden and the challenges of focusing on his protagonist's ancestors amidst intergenerational struggles and writing origins.

Journalist Kara Swisher reflects on Silicon Valley elites' lies, self-delusion, and industry harm in her memoir 'Burn Book'. Despite disillusionment, she remains optimistic about tech's future and AI impact. The podcast explores insights into tech personalities, power dynamics, and truth in the industry.

China's economic history is discussed in 'The Rise and Fall of the EAST', focusing on exams, autocracy, stability, and technology as major contributors. The declining property sector, lack of investment in people, and current political leadership raises concerns for China's future. The podcast delves into parallels with global economic trends, China's property sector influence on GDP growth, and the impact of historical examination system on society and governance.

Lucy Sante says it was a smartphone app that ultimately pushed her to come out to herself — and the world — as trans in her mid 60s. In her new memoir, I Heard Her Call My Name, the writer and professor chronicles how using the gender swap function on FaceApp ultimately opened a brand new life to her. And she tells NPR's Don Gonyea that though there are a lot of complexities to having that kind of realization later in life, there are also a lot of positive outcomes. 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/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Early in today's episode, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asks Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Steve Coll why he felt the need to write The Achilles Trap about the Iraq War amidst so many ongoing world conflicts. Coll explains that he hoped enough time had passed to try to answer a lingering question: Why did Saddam Hussein allow the world to believe he harbored weapons of mass destruction when he didn't? Coll's reporting – which includes Hussein's own audio recordings – unravels decades of tension and miscommunication between the U.S. and Iraq, which ultimately cost hundreds of thousands of lives. 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

Today's episode features two books that capture how cooking, taking care of loved ones, and running a home has sustained women for generations. First, NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Helen Rebanks (who is joined by actor and comedian Nick Offerman) about The Farmer's Wife, which chronicles her life as a homemaker and farmer in England. Then, Here & Now's Celeste Headlee speaks with former Kentucky poet laureate Crystal Wilkinson about Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts, which stretches back into Wilkinson's family history to understand how Black women were the unsung heroes of Appalachia. 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

A contemporary twist on '1984,' Sandra Newman's novel 'Julia' explores the female experience under totalitarianism. Delving into Julia's role, the podcast discusses Orwell's psychological insights and themes of surveillance, reproductive control, and hope in a dystopian society.