NPR's Book of the Day

The Big Myth, a new book co-written by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, details the rise of free market capitalism in the 19th century and its long-lasting impact on American democracy. In today's episode, Oreskes speaks with Here & Now's Scott Tong about how Little House on the Prairie, union busting, and Ronald Reagan all played a role in diminishing government regulation – and how the effects of that policy and pop culture campaign can still be seen in today's housing crisis and COVID-19 response.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Nathan Hill's novel Wellness starts with a blossoming romance between two artists in Chicago's underground scene. Twenty years later, they're married, raising a kid, and running into all sorts of conflict, within themselves and with one another. In today's episode, Hill speaks with Here & Now's Robin Young about how love and partnership changes over time, and how the start of the book – which he wrote two decades ago – felt much different when he reapproached it in his 40s.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Authors Susan Kuklin and Maia Kobabe discuss their books on gender identity, which have faced challenges in schools. They delve into the controversies surrounding banned books like Gender Queer and Beyond Magenta, highlighting inspiring narratives. The podcast explores the experiences of transgender youth and the transformation of a mother's acceptance. It also addresses the challenges of writing about personal experiences and the impact of a controversial book on gender identity in adolescence.

Author and cartoonist Art Spiegelman is familiar with the hysteria surrounding certain library books. In today's episode, he tells NPR's Scott Simon about how comic book burnings during his childhood in the 1950s weren't all that different from book bans taking place across the country today. Spiegelman says that though they tackled difficult subjects, he found then – and continues to find today – great emotional power in comics, such as his reissued collection Breakdowns. And he says he's felt deeply unsettled by the ongoing challenges against these kinds of books.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Author George M. Johnson says they knew their memoir, All Boys Aren't Blue, would be challenged by school boards – but they didn't realize just how much controversy it would stir up. The memoir explores Johnson's upbringing as a queer young person of color in New Jersey and Virginia. In today's episode, they tell NPR's Leila Fadel that despite all the pushback the book has received, it's been overwhelmingly gratifying to see how much it's helped teachers, librarians, parents...and especially the students themselves.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jerry Craft, author of 'New Kid', talks about the challenges his graphic novel faced in Texas and his commitment to telling coming-of-age stories for Black kids. They discuss stereotypes, code switching, and the impact of racial biases on self-esteem. The author reflects on the banning of 'New Kid' and the importance of embracing representation, refusing to censor their work.

Ashley Hope Pérez, author of 'Out of Darkness', discusses how book bans targeting authors of color are hindering efforts to diversify children's literature. She explores the controversy surrounding the novel and addresses the issue of book banning, questioning the appropriateness of banning literature about race and identity for teenagers. Pérez also discusses her motivation for writing books for students and the impact of book bans on authors of color.

Today's episode is all about figuring out the moment things went wrong between family members – and how the fallout has long lasting effects on everyone involved. First, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with author Hilda Blum about her novel How to Love Your Daughter, and what it means for a mother and daughter's bond to be tested over time. Then, Here & Now's Tiziana Dearing asks William Landay about his new thriller, All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, in which a missing woman's children have been raised by the man police believe may have killed her.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In today's episode, Here & Now's Deepa Fernandes and author Lang Leav bond over growing up in Australia, and navigating racism and anti-immigrant sentiments while also trying to find community as a young person. Leav's new novel, Others Were Emeralds, follows a Cambodian teen growing up in a small town of Asian immigrants near Sydney. While she's trying to make sense of the hostility that she faces from outsiders, she's also dealing with the everyday struggle of being a young woman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sandeep Jauhar, physician and author of My Father's Brain, shares his personal journey of caring for his father with dementia and explores the challenges of understanding and caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's. He discusses the difficulties faced by caregivers and the lack of support and resources available. Additionally, he delves into the moral dilemma of end-of-life care and highlights the cultural importance of finding culturally competent caregivers.