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. —
   Samin Nosrat
   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   Susan B. Glasser

   'The Divider' looks at Trump's years in office through the eyes of his aides · Sep 2022

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3. —
   Susan Orlean
   0 votes

   Never again
4. —
   Toluse Olorunnipa
   0 votes

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5. —
   Vauhini Vara

   'This Is Salvaged' explores the mishaps of intimacy and communication · Dec 2023

   0 votes

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6. —
   Anne Applebaum

   'Twilight of Democracy' chronicles the rise of authoritarianism · Jan 2022

   0 votes

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7. —
   Juliette Kayyem

   How to manage a disaster in 'The Devil Never Sleeps' · 2 episodes

   0 votes

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8. —
   Peter Bergen

   Marking 25 years since Sept. 11 with 'All the Presidents' Wars' and 'Scattered Steel' · Sep 2026

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9. —
   Robin Wall Kimmerer

   'The Serviceberry' and 'Birding to Change the World' draw lessons from nature · Feb 2025

   0 votes

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10. —
    Alice Walker

    'The Color Purple' is about the bonding of women · 2 episodes

    0 votes

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11. —
    Andrew Motion

    Celebrating NPR's Petra Mayer with three literary things she loved · Nov 2021

    0 votes

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12. —
    Ashley Flowers
    0 votes

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13. —
    Chris Sweeney

    ‘The Feather Detective’ is a biography of Roxie Layboune, forensic ornithologist · Aug 2025

    0 votes

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14. —
    Craig Brown

    A new biography portrays Queen Elizabeth II as the British public's emotional anchor · Oct 2024

    0 votes

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15. —
    Dylan Mulvaney

    'Paper Doll' documents trans TikTok creator Dylan Mulvaney's journey through girlhood · Apr 2025

    0 votes

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16. —
    Elif Shafak

    'The Island of Missing Trees' uses, well, trees to chronicle generational trauma · Nov 2021

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17. —
    Elizabeth Day

    'One of Us' is a British political drama based on the Boris Johnson era · Mar 2026

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18. —
    Erin French

    In 'Big Heart Little Stove,' chef Erin French focuses on recipes and hospitality · Dec 2023

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19. —
    Henry Marsh

    In 'And Finally,' a neurosurgeon comes to terms with his own cancer diagnosis · Feb 2023

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20. —
    Ina Garten

    Food meets family in new books from Ina Garten and Stephen Colbert · Oct 2024

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21. —
    Jeanette Winterson

    Two collections of horror stories modernize the genre · Apr 2024

    0 votes

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22. —
    Jodi Picoult

    'Wish You Were Here' ... Stranded with me in the Galapagos Islands · Dec 2021

    0 votes

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23. —
    Julie Andrews
    0 votes

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24. —
    Maggie O'Farrell

    Maggie O'Farrell's novel 'Land' takes readers to a famine-ravaged yet resilient Ireland · 3 episodes

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25. —
    Marlon James

    Marlon James' novel 'The Disappearers' chronicles the aftermath of a violent attack · 2 episodes

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26. —
    Nadiya Hussain

    ‘Cook Once, Eat Twice’ and ‘Accidentally on Purpose’ are new books from cooking stars · Aug 2025

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27. —
    Nick Clegg
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28. —
    Nina Totenberg

    'Dinners with Ruth' shows how friendship can flourish despite clashing careers · Sep 2022

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29. —
    Richard Osman

    In 'We Solve Murders,' Richard Osman introduces a new detective trio · Oct 2024

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30. —
    Ruth Reichl

    'The Paris Novel' revels in a good meal, a beautiful dress and a romantic city · May 2024

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31. —
    Shirley MacLaine
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32. —
    Simon Schama

    'Foreign Bodies' traces the history of pandemics and vaccine hesitancy · Sep 2023

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33. —
    CC Sabathia

    Baseball at the center of personal narratives in two new memoirs · Jul 2022

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34. —
    Don Winslow

    'City in Ruins' is the finale of the Danny Ryan trilogy–and of Don Winslow's career · Sep 2024

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35. —
    Glory Edim

    'Gather Me' and 'Subculture Vulture' are memoirs told through books and subcultures · Dec 2024

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36. —
    Isaac Butler
    0 votes

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37. —
    Jacob Soboroff

    'Firestorm' tells journalistic – and personal – story of the LA wildfires · Jan 2026

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38. —
    Jennifer Egan

    Virtual memories live in 'The Candy House' · Apr 2022

    0 votes

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39. —
    Kennedy Ryan

    In 'The Kingmaker,' romantic sparks fly at a pipeline protest · Jun 2023

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40. —
    Liz Moore
    0 votes

    Never again