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. —
   Gisèle Pelicot

   Gisèle Pelicot’s 'A Hymn to Life' is both a memoir and an act of ultimate defiance · Feb 2026

   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   Glynnis MacNicol

   Glynnis MacNicol's memoir brings readers to a summer of pleasure in Paris · Jun 2024

   0 votes

   Never again
3. —
   Greg Marshall

   Greg Marshall's memoir 'Leg' recounts growing up with cerebral palsy · Jun 2023

   0 votes

   Never again
4. —
   Gulbahar Haitiwaji

   Gulbahar Haitiwaji and Desmond Shum get personal about the reach of China's power · Mar 2022

   0 votes

   Never again
5. —
   Hala Gorani

   Hala Gorani's memoir 'But You Don't Look Arab' is a journey of belonging · Feb 2024

   0 votes

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6. —
   Han Kang

   Han Kang's latest novel 'We Do Not Part' deals with hidden chapters of Korean history · 2 episodes

   0 votes

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7. —
   Hannah Lucinda Smith

   In 'Hinterlands,' Hannah Lucinda Smith warns not to overlook conflict at the fringes · Aug 2026

   0 votes

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8. —
   Harry Bliss
   0 votes

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9. —
   Helen Rebanks

   Memoirs by Helen Rebanks and Crystal Wilkinson weave recipes with women's stories · Mar 2024

   0 votes

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10. —
    Hila Blum

    Novels by Hila Blum and William Landay unravel family mysteries · Sep 2023

    0 votes

    Never again
11. —
    Ian Johnson

    In 'Sparks,' Ian Johnson highlights China's 'grassroots historians' · Oct 2023

    0 votes

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12. —
    Illia Ponomarenko

    Illia Ponomarenko's memoir opens up about covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine · Jun 2024

    0 votes

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13. —
    Irene Vega

    New books by Irene Vega, Tim Weiner chronicle changes to federal agencies under Trump · Aug 2025

    0 votes

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14. —
    James Parker

    ‘Atlantic’ writer James Parker says his odes are exercises in gratitude and attention · Aug 2025

    0 votes

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15. —
    Jean D'Amérique

    Jean D'Amérique's novel 'A Sun to Be Sewn' grapples with violence in Haiti · Feb 2023

    0 votes

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16. —
    Jim Clyburn

    Rep. Jim Clyburn’s new book 'The First Eight' traces the history of his predecessors · Dec 2025

    0 votes

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17. —
    Johanna Copeland
    0 votes

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18. —
    John Himmelman

    John Himmelman, Reginald Dwayne Betts take a populist approach to poetry in new books · Mar 2025

    0 votes

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19. —
    John Kenney

    An obituary writer makes a grave error in John Kenney's 'I See You've Called in Dead' · Apr 2025

    0 votes

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20. —
    John Swanson Jacobs

    The autobiography of John Swanson Jacobs offers a new look at slavery and migration · Jun 2024

    0 votes

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21. —
    Jonathan Jakubowicz

    Jonathan Jakubowicz says he wanted to write a book Venezuelans couldn't resist · Jul 2026

    0 votes

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22. —
    Jonathan Malesic

    Struggling with burnout? Author Jonathan Malesic might be able to help · Jan 2022

    0 votes

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23. —
    Joseph Han

    Blurred family history gets questioned in Joseph Han's debut novel, 'Nuclear Family' · Jul 2022

    0 votes

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24. —
    Joyce Maynard

    Joyce Maynard follows 'Count the Ways' with 'How the Light Gets In' · Jul 2024

    0 votes

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25. —
    Juli Min

    Juli Min's novel 'Shanghailanders' unfolds in reverse · Aug 2024

    0 votes

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26. —
    Julien Laurens

    ESPN soccer correspondent Julien Laurens on why Kylian Mbappé is “wired differently” · Jul 2026

    0 votes

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27. —
    Justinian Huang

    Justinian Huang’s new novel follows a Taiwanese-American family intent on a male heir · Nov 2025

    0 votes

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28. —
    Karen Dawisha

    Karen Dawisha and Marie Yovanovitch provide a deeper look at Russia's war in Ukraine · Mar 2022

    0 votes

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29. —
    Karin Slaughter

    For her 25th book, Karin Slaughter wanted to capture life in small-town Georgia · Aug 2025

    0 votes

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30. —
    Kate Baer

    A new book of poems by Kate Baer wrestles with the realities of middle age · Dec 2025

    0 votes

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31. —
    Kate Riley

    Kate Riley’s novel ‘Ruth’ was inspired by her year in an insular religious community · Sep 2025

    0 votes

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32. —
    Katrina Manson

    Katrina Manson on 'Project Maven' and how the U.S. is using AI in warfare · Apr 2026

    0 votes

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33. —
    Keith O'Brien

    Keith O'Brien on 'Heartland,' Larry Bird and the basketball career that almost wasn't · Apr 2026

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34. —
    Kelley Coleman

    A parenting book by author Kelley Coleman focuses on the care of disabled children · Nov 2024

    0 votes

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35. —
    Ken Jaworowski

    Ken Jaworowski’s new crime novel ‘What About the Bodies’ has a surprising tender side · Sep 2025

    0 votes

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36. —
    Ken Liu

    Ken Liu’s latest novel ‘All That We See or Seem’ is speculative fiction about AI · Oct 2025

    0 votes

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37. —
    Keri Blakinger

    In Keri Blakinger's memoir, the path from high-achieving teenager to prison to writer · Jun 2022

    0 votes

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38. —
    Kevin Brockmeier
    0 votes

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39. —
    Khushbu Shah

    Khushbu Shah's cookbook 'Amrikan' honors the Indian American diaspora · Jul 2024

    0 votes

    Never again
40. —
    Kimberlé Crenshaw

    In 'Backtalker,' Kimberlé Crenshaw turns from political theory to personal memoir · May 2026

    0 votes

    Never again