NPR's Book of the Day

In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone's talking about? NPR's Book of the Day gives you today's very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast. Whether you're looking to engage with the big questions of our times – or temporarily escape from them – we've got an author who will speak to you, all genres, mood and writing styles included. Catch today's great books in 15 minutes or less. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Book of the Day.

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Every guest on NPR's Book of the Day

1338 guests, ranked by how many people never want them back.

1. —
   Geena Davis

   In 'Dying of Politeness,' Geena Davis says Susan Sarandon taught her to speak up · Oct 2022

   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   Patrick Radden Keefe

   Patrick Radden Keefe on 'London Falling' and the mystery of Zac Brettler · 2 episodes

   0 votes

   Never again
3. —
   Neko Case

   Indie-rock artist Neko Case opens up about her childhood in a new memoir · Feb 2025

   0 votes

   Never again
4. —
   Chris Hayes

   In a new book, Chris Hayes argues that attention is our most endangered resource · Feb 2025

   0 votes

   Never again
5. —
   Tom Hanks
   0 votes

   Never again
6. —
   Kerry Washington

   In 'Thicker Than Water,' Kerry Washington processes a family secret · Nov 2023

   0 votes

   Never again
7. —
   Arthur Brooks

   Writer Arthur Brooks says strivers can end up unhappier later in life · Feb 2022

   0 votes

   Never again
8. —
   Bernie Sanders

   Sen. Bernie Sanders and Malcolm Harris take a closer look at wealth and capitalism · Mar 2023

   0 votes

   Never again
9. —
   Matthew McConaughey

   Why Matthew McConaughey wrote a children's book about the "paradox of living" · Sep 2023

   0 votes

   Never again
10. —
    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    0 votes

    Never again
11. —
    Roxane Gay

    Roxane Gay fleshes out her strong 'Opinions' · Jan 2024

    0 votes

    Never again
12. —
    Lucy Sante

    Lucy Sante's memoir reflects on her experience coming out as transgender in her 60s · Mar 2024

    0 votes

    Never again
13. —
    Jung Chang

    'Fly, Wild Swans' weaves Jung Chang’s family history with the history of China · Feb 2026

    0 votes

    Never again
14. —
    Yuval Noah Harari

    How did humans get here? Historian Yuval Noah Harari is thrilled to tell you · Feb 2022

    0 votes

    Never again
15. —
    Fiona Hill

    Fiona Hill's new Trump-era memoir is less about Trump than it is about us · Oct 2021

    0 votes

    Never again
16. —
    Malcolm Gladwell

    Malcolm Gladwell revisits old ideas in a new book, 'Revenge of the Tipping Point' · Oct 2024

    0 votes

    Never again
17. —
    Bill Gates
    0 votes

    Never again
18. —
    Henry Winkler

    Henry Winkler and Arnold Schwarzenegger's memoirs open up about the fear of failing · Nov 2023

    0 votes

    Never again
19. —
    Kara Swisher

    Kara Swisher's memoir 'Burn Book' reflects on a career covering Silicon Valley · 2 episodes

    0 votes

    Never again
20. —
    Jerry Seinfeld

    Jerry Seinfeld and Tom Hanks reflect on personal and professional longevity · May 2023

    0 votes

    Never again
21. —
    Jake Tapper

    'Original Sin' argues Biden aides enabled his reelection bid, despite mental decline · May 2025

    0 votes

    Never again
22. —
    Paul McCartney

    Paul McCartney on his band 'Wings,' plus the story of indie label Bloodshot Records · 2 episodes

    0 votes

    Never again
23. —
    Reese Witherspoon

    Reese Witherspoon, Harlan Coben and Chris Kraus are out with new crime thrillers · Nov 2025

    0 votes

    Never again
24. —
    Stacey Abrams

    Through politics, fiction and her latest novel, Stacey Abrams aims to inspire action · 2 episodes

    0 votes

    Never again
25. —
    Kathleen Hanna

    Kathleen Hanna remembers her path to becoming the OG 'Rebel Girl' · Jun 2024

    0 votes

    Never again
26. —
    Brooke Shields

    In new memoir, Brooke Shields talks aging, beauty and an unwanted medical procedure · Jan 2025

    0 votes

    Never again
27. —
    Jane Goodall

    Jane Goodall doesn't want you to give up on the planet · Nov 2021

    0 votes

    Never again
28. —
    Stanley Tucci

    Stanley Tucci records 12 months of eating in his food diary 'What I Ate in One Year' · Nov 2024

    0 votes

    Never again
29. —
    Phoebe Robinson

    Solving systemic racism and buying sensible cardigans with comic Phoebe Robinson · Mar 2022

    0 votes

    Never again
30. —
    Ta-Nehisi Coates

    Ten years later, Ta-Nehisi Coates says 'Between the World and Me' is no longer his · 2 episodes

    0 votes

    Never again
31. —
    Lena Dunham

    Lena Dunham on her memoir 'Famesick' and the intense bond between 'Girls' co-stars · May 2026

    0 votes

    Never again
32. —
    Ai Weiwei

    Artist and activist Ai Weiwei on political censorship in the West · 2 episodes

    0 votes

    Never again
33. —
    Oliver Jeffers
    0 votes

    Never again
34. —
    Nick Offerman

    Nick Offerman ponders nature's patterns and chaos in Central Park · Nov 2021

    0 votes

    Never again
35. —
    Miranda July

    In 'All Fours,' Miranda July tackles love, sex and reinvention in middle age · 2 episodes

    0 votes

    Never again
36. —
    Michael Pollan

    To understand consciousness, Michael Pollan looked at plants, AI and himself · Mar 2026

    0 votes

    Never again
37. —
    Reid Hoffman

    New books from Reid Hoffman and Bill Gates look at tech revolutions past and future · Feb 2025

    0 votes

    Never again
38. —
    Barbara Kingsolver

    Novels by Barbara Kingsolver and Daniel Mason excavate history for new meanings · 5 episodes

    0 votes

    Never again
39. —
    James Comey
    0 votes

    Never again
40. —
    Paris Hilton

    'That's hot': Paris Hilton is ready to tell her own story · Mar 2023

    0 votes

    Never again