Selected Shorts

Rachel B. Glaser has been recognized as one of Granta Magazine's Best Young American Novelists, and her work has been showcased in prestigious publications such as The Paris Review and McSweeney's. "Ira & the Whale" was honored with an O. Henry Prize in 2023. Jeff Hiller is an actor who has been a charming anchor of the HBO series Somebody Somewhere. He's appeared in many other funny shows, such as 30 Rock; was on Broadway in the musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; and performs solo shows at Joe's Pub. After the reading, Hiller talked to host Aparna Nancherla about the character, finding your place in the world, and his own book, Actress of a Certain Age, which come out in June of 2025.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness. Each week, Jonathan offers tips and strategies to help us thrive while hosting incredible guests like Dan Harris, Gretchen Rubin and Wendy Suzuki. We hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

Meg Wolitzer speaks with author Judy Blume about her life, her writing and the challenges of book banning.

Host Meg Wolitzer talks with political satirist and author Andy Borowitz in this bonus interview.

From the author of Eileen and My Year of Rest and Relaxation, a story about weird people doing weird things. Read by Colby Minifie from The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Fear the Walking Dead. Michael Ian Black hosts this episode, which includes an interview with Moshfegh.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three works about idealized lives, and ideas about what constitutes an “ideal” life.  “Boy Meets Girl” is Jen Kim’s humorous version of a Hollywood love story.  It’s read by Tony Hale.  In the John Cheever classic “The Worm in the Apple” a couple have the perfect life—but no one can believe it.  It’s read by Anne Meara.  And a harried mother fantasizes about a brand new life in Vanessa Cuti’s “Our Children,” performed by Claire Danes, followed by an interview with Danes..

In a captivating chat, acclaimed author Elizabeth Strout shares insights from her story 'Home,' focusing on the intricate family dynamics she constructs. She discusses the challenges of caregiving and aging through Annie Appleby's journey. Strout highlights the emotional truths in her characters’ lives, particularly in the themes of trauma and memory loss. She reflects on the comfort fiction brings during tough times and revels in the joy of hearing her stories read aloud, illustrating the profound connection between writers and their characters.

In this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to author Louise Erdrich about her story; her writing life; and what do with left over index cards. 

In this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to actor Denis O’Hare about his craft, and his approaches to readings of the two very different stories on this program.

Host Meg Wolitzer visits a favorite indie bookstore, Three Lives & Company in Greenwich Village, remembers her early years there as a writer and reader, and is let in on some trade secrets.