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. —
   Kunal Purohit

   Kunal Purohit's book examines Hindutva pop, social media and hate speech · Feb 2024

   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   Laird Hunt
   0 votes

   Never again
3. —
   Leila Philip

   In 'Beaverland,' Leila Philip credits the beaver with building America · Feb 2023

   0 votes

   Never again
4. —
   Liann Zhang

   In 'Julie Chan Is Dead,' former influencer Liann Zhang takes a swipe at the industry · May 2025

   0 votes

   Never again
5. —
   Lisa Smith

   In Lisa Smith’s ‘Jamaica Road,’ a young girl searches for belonging in 1980s London · Aug 2025

   0 votes

   Never again
6. —
   Liza Tully

   A new mystery novel by Liza Tully pairs a green assistant with a seasoned detective · Aug 2025

   0 votes

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7. —
   Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

   Writers Lizzie Damilola Blackburn and Edmund White want to talk about sex · Feb 2022

   0 votes

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8. —
   Lizzie Stark

   Lizzie Stark traces the history and cultural impact of the 'Egg' · Apr 2023

   0 votes

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9. —
   Loryn Brantz

   Loryn Brantz's 'Poems of Parenting' gives parents permission to laugh out loud · May 2025

   0 votes

   Never again
10. —
    Lucian Kim

    In 'Putin's Revenge,' Lucian Kim traces the lead-up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine · Apr 2025

    0 votes

    Never again
11. —
    M.T. Anderson

    M.T. Anderson's 'Nicked' follows a heist to steal the bones of Saint Nicholas · Aug 2024

    0 votes

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12. —
    Mahmood Mamdani

    Mahmood Mamdani’s 'Slow Poison' centers politics of belonging in postcolonial Uganda · Dec 2025

    0 votes

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13. —
    Maia Kobabe
    0 votes

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14. —
    Marie Yovanovitch
    0 votes

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15. —
    Mark Kurlansky

    Mark Kurlansky's novel 'Cheesecake' was inspired by a recipe from ancient Rome · 2 episodes

    0 votes

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16. —
    Mary Jo Bang

    After 20 years, Mary Jo Bang has completed her translation of Dante's 'Divine Comedy' · Jul 2025

    0 votes

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17. —
    Mary Louise Kelly

    Mary Louise Kelly on her memoir 'It. Goes. So. Fast. The Year of No Do-Overs' · May 2023

    0 votes

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18. —
    Matika Wilbur

    Matika Wilbur honors and celebrates Native American Tribal Nations in 'Project 562' · May 2023

    0 votes

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19. —
    Maurice Vellekoop

    Maurice Vellekoop's graphic memoir recounts his coming out to his religious family · Mar 2024

    0 votes

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20. —
    Max Brooks

    Max Brooks teaches kids life lessons through the world of 'Minecraft' · Nov 2023

    0 votes

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21. —
    Meg Medina

    In Meg Medina’s new young adult novel, a 13-year-old girl becomes a sea ghost · Sep 2025

    0 votes

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22. —
    Melissa Lozada-Oliva

    Poet Melissa Lozada-Oliva dreams of Selena · Nov 2021

    0 votes

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23. —
    Michele Norris

    Michele Norris' 'Our Hidden Conversations' examines race and identity in the U.S. · Jan 2024

    0 votes

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24. —
    Mikhail Zygar

    Mikhail Zygar says the Soviet Union’s collapse was only a temporary win for democracy · 2 episodes

    0 votes

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25. —
    Mitt Romney
    0 votes

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26. —
    NPR's Ari Shapiro

    NPR's Ari Shapiro looks back on reporting, singing and touring in new memoir · Apr 2023

    0 votes

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27. —
    Nicole A. Taylor

    Nicole A. Taylor's cookbook puts a spin on traditional African American food · Jun 2022

    0 votes

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28. —
    Nite Yun

    'My Cambodia: A Khmer Cookbook' is Nite Yun’s love letter to food and family · Nov 2025

    0 votes

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29. —
    Norah O'Donnell

    Norah O'Donnell’s 'We the Women' pays tribute to U.S. history's female heroes · 2 episodes

    0 votes

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30. —
    Patricia Park

    Patricia Park's new YA novel captures the complexities of race and adolescence · 2 episodes

    0 votes

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31. —
    Paul Yoon

    'Etna' author Paul Yoon on narrating war through a dog's eyes · Aug 2026

    0 votes

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32. —
    Paula Hawkins

    A shocking discovery follows an artist's death in Paula Hawkins' 'The Blue Hour' · 2 episodes

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33. —
    Peng Shepard

    Authors Peng Shepard and Anne Tyler show that family is...complicated · Jan 2023

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34. —
    Peng Shepherd

    Authors Peng Shepherd and Anne Tyler show that family is...complicated · Apr 2022

    0 votes

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35. —
    Pidgeon Pagonis

    Pidgeon Pagonis' memoir 'Nobody Needs to Know' reclaims intersex identity · Aug 2023

    0 votes

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36. —
    Rachel Louise Snyder

    Rachel Louise Snyder's memoir traces a life shaped by patriarchy and religion · Jun 2023

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37. —
    Reshona Landfair

    Reshona Landfair, formerly 'Jane Doe,' recounts abuse by R. Kelly in new memoir · Feb 2026

    0 votes

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38. —
    Rex Ogle

    Rex Ogle's 'When We Ride' is a novel-in-verse about a best friendship under pressure · Apr 2025

    0 votes

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39. —
    Rick Atkinson

    Revisiting the story of the American Revolution with Rick Atkinson · Jul 2026

    0 votes

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40. —
    Ricky Martínez

    Authentic Mexican recipes abound Ricky Martínez's cookbook 'Mi Cocina' · May 2022

    0 votes

    Never again