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. —
   Aleksandar Hemon

   In 'The World And All That It Holds,' two soldiers fall in love during World War I · Feb 2023

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2. —
   Alice McDermott
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3. —
   Angie Kim

   In 'Happiness Falls,' a father gone missing brings family tensions to the surface · Sep 2023

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4. —
   Ann Napolitano

   'Hello Beautiful' and 'Pineapple Street' examine the closeness between sisters · Mar 2023

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5. —
   Ann Packer

   In new novels, marriages are tested by a last request and a moment in the spotlight · Dec 2025

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6. —
   Anna Malaika Tubbs

   'The Three Mothers' who paved the way for three extraordinary men · 2 episodes

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7. —
   Anthony Marra

   The people caught in the middle of war in 'A Constellation Of Vital Phenomena' · Mar 2022

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8. —
   Bassey Ikpi

   Two authors write about the importance of mental health and accessing feelings · Sep 2022

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9. —
   Ben Reeves

   Novels by Ben Reeves and Matt Haig look at life through the eyes of death (literally) · Jul 2026

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10. —
    Bonnie Garmus

    In 'Lessons in Chemistry' a chemist is the star of... a cooking show? · 4 episodes

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11. —
    Bora Chung

    In 'Cursed Bunny,' horror takes unexpected forms · 2 episodes

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12. —
    Brandon Hobson

    'The Devil Is a Southpaw' is a story within a story — or so its narrator says · Dec 2025

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13. —
    Brendan Kiely
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14. —
    Caro Claire Burke

    In 'Yesteryear,' a tradwife influencer wakes up in the time period she’s fetishized · Apr 2026

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15. —
    Caroline O'Donoghue

    'The Rachel Incident' looks back on early-20s friendships, love and mistakes · 3 episodes

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16. —
    Casey McQuiston
    0 votes

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17. —
    Claire Jiménez

    In 'What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez,' a family struggles with a child's disappearance · Mar 2023

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18. —
    Claire Oshetsky

    'Chouette' is part owl part human baby. Fine. But how to raise her? · Nov 2021

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19. —
    Cristina Rivera Garza

    In 'Death Takes Me,' men are the victims of violence usually inflicted on women · Mar 2025

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20. —
    Daniyal Mueenuddin

    'This is Where the Serpent Lives' is a sprawling debut novel set in modern Pakistan · 2 episodes

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21. —
    Emma Knight

    New novels from Emma Knight and Anita Desai explore the dual identities of mothers · Jan 2025

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22. —
    Gabriel Bump

    In 'The New Naturals,' Gabriel Bump explores grief after the loss of a daughter · Dec 2023

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23. —
    Gabriel Tallent

    'Crux' is a novel about rock climbing, but risk exists far beyond the mountain’s edge · Feb 2026

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24. —
    George Stevens Jr

    Two nonfiction books reminiscent of a bygone era in Hollywood · Jul 2022

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25. —
    Helen Oyeyemi
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26. —
    Henry Hoke

    Inspired by P-22, 'Open Throat' follows a queer mountain lion's lonely survival in LA · Jun 2023

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27. —
    Hilary Mantel

    Hilary Mantel's 'Wolf Hall' examines the reign of King Henry VIII through his advisor · Oct 2022

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28. —
    Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

    ‘Misbehaving at the Crossroads’ is a lesson in the complexity of reconciliation · 3 episodes

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29. —
    Jasmine Guillory

    A meet-cute followed by real life: 'Party of Two' is about love in the real world · 2 episodes

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30. —
    Jeff Yang

    'The Golden Screen' chronicles the films that shaped the Asian American diaspora · Jan 2024

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31. —
    Jenny Jackson

    'The Shampoo Effect,' 'The Revelation of Dionne Daphne' are marked by big surprises · Jul 2026

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32. —
    Jessamine Chan
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33. —
    Jessica B. Harris

    'A Kwanzaa Keepsake and Cookbook' is an updated exploration of Kwanzaa's traditions · Jan 2025

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34. —
    Jimin Han

    In 'The Apology,' a South Korean grandmother makes amends from the afterlife · Aug 2023

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35. —
    Karen Joy Fowler

    'Booth' looks at the family life of President Lincoln's notorious assassin · 2 episodes

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36. —
    Karthika Naïr
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37. —
    Kwame Alexander

    Healing through poetry in 'Light For The World To See' · 3 episodes

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38. —
    Law Roach

    'How to Build a Fashion Icon' is stylist Law Roach's guide to image architecture · Oct 2024

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39. —
    Leila Mottley

    Inspired by a true story, 'Nightcrawling' deals with sex work – and sexual abuse · 2 episodes

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40. —
    Leni Zumas
    0 votes

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