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Books: Book Reviews, Book News, and Author Interviews NPR's brings you news about books and authors along with our picks for great reads. Interviews, reviews, and much more.

Books

Author Interviews

'The Pallbearer's Club:' a memoir on friendship — and a vampire thriller

Is it a memoir of a man's relationship with a friend or with a New England vampire? NPR's Shannon Bond talks to Paul Tremblay about his deliciously confusing thriller, "The Pallbearer's Club."

'The Pallbearer's Club:' a memoir on friendship — and a vampire thriller

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Author Interviews

'Night of the Living Rez' chronicles one tribe's struggle with poverty and addiction

NPR's Melissa Block talks with author Morgan Talty about his book, "Night of the Living Rez," a series of short stories about members of a Native American tribe wrestling with poverty and addiction.

'Night of the Living Rez' chronicles one tribe's struggle with poverty and addiction

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What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

Samara Weaving as Olivia and Eugenio Derbez as Antonio in the new Hulu film The Valet. Dan McFadden/Hulu hide caption

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Dan McFadden/Hulu

What's Making Us Happy: Recommendations From 'Pop Culture Happy Hour'

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: The Valet on Hulu, watching wrestling, and a playlist crafted for the perfect summer vibe.

Author Interviews

'Noir Alley' host celebrates cinema's double crosses and doomed characters

Fresh Air

Eddie Muller's book, Dark City, chronicles film noir from the '40s and '50s. He says the genre draws on a "very dark vision of existence." Originally broadcast Oct. 21, 2022.

'Noir Alley' host celebrates cinema's double crosses and doomed characters

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8 books to enjoy at the beach this summer
NPR

Review

8 books to enjoy at the beach this summer

From light romance and short fiction to thrillers, here's a list of books that are perfect companions as you retreat to the beach or pool to catch a break from the summer heat.

8 books to enjoy at the beach this summer

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Travel the world without leaving your home with these 10 books
Various/Emily Bogle for NPR

Review

Travel the world without leaving your home with these 10 books

From Lahore's red-light district and the streets of Mexico to a fantastical underwater land of Korean fable, here are some picks that can immerse you in worlds wholly unlike your own.

Travel the world without leaving your home with these 10 books

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Author Interviews

'Tahrir's Youth' follows the trajectories of some young revolutionaries in Egypt

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to author Rusha Latif, who embedded herself with Egyptian revolutionaries, and writes about what the world can learn from a defeated revolt in Tahrir's Youth.

'Tahrir's Youth' follows the trajectories of some young revolutionaries in Egypt

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Real life or satire? Novelist Mat Johnson says it can be hard to tell the difference

Mat Johnson is the Philip H. Knight Chair of Humanities at the University of Oregon. His previous books include Pym and Loving Day. Courtesy of University of Oregon hide caption

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Courtesy of University of Oregon

Author Interviews

Real life or satire? Novelist Mat Johnson says it can be hard to tell the difference

Fresh Air

Set in the future, Johnson's new satirical novel, Invisible Things, takes place on one of Jupiter's many moons, where humans have created an artificial ecosystem designed to replicate life on Earth.

Real life or satire? Novelist Mat Johnson says it can be hard to tell the difference

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Author Interviews

Hadero's stories feature immigrants, refugees and others struggling to belong

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Meron Hadero about her new book of short stories: A Down Home Meal for these Difficult Times.

Hadero's stories feature immigrants, refugees and others struggling to belong

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Author Interviews

In Ian Falconer's new book, 'Two Dogs' cause mischief after being left home alone

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with illustrator and kids book writer Ian Falconer about his new picture book, Two Dogs.

In Ian Falconer's new book, 'Two Dogs' cause mischief after being left home alone

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A novelist's time in the MMA cage informed his book on memory loss and identity

John Vercher is the author of the novels Three-Fifths and After the Lights Go Out. Karen Maria Photography/Soho Press hide caption

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Karen Maria Photography/Soho Press

Author Interviews

A novelist's time in the MMA cage informed his book on memory loss and identity

Fresh Air

John Vercher trained in mixed martial arts as a young man. His novel, After the Lights Go Out, centers on a veteran MMA fighter who struggles to remember everyday things.

A novelist's time in the MMA cage informed his book on memory loss and identity

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