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. —
   Mara Brock Akil
   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   Mary Ziegler

   'Personhood' argues fetal rights are the next frontier of the anti-abortion movement · May 2025

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3. —
   Michael Harriot

   'Black AF History' examines American history from the perspective of Black people · Dec 2023

   0 votes

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4. —
   Mo Rocca
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5. —
   Nancy Silverton

   Nancy Silverton's cookbook 'The Cookie That Changed My Life' is an ode to perfection · Dec 2023

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6. —
   Peter Baker
   0 votes

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7. —
   Robert Malley
   0 votes

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8. —
   Saket Soni

   How Indian migrant workers escaped human trafficking in Mississippi · 2 episodes

   0 votes

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9. —
   Stefan Fatsis

   'Unabridged' explores the history of the dictionary – and why it’s in trouble now · Dec 2025

   0 votes

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10. —
    Tim Mak

    'Misfire' takes an inside look at the corruption at the heart of the NRA · Nov 2021

    0 votes

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11. —
    Anne Fadiman
    0 votes

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12. —
    Annie Proulx

    'Fen, Bog & Swamp' explains why the wetlands matter and why they're disappearing · Oct 2022

    0 votes

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13. —
    David Sax

    'The Future Is Analog' makes the case for logging off · Dec 2022

    0 votes

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14. —
    Eve Fairbanks

    'The Inheritors' explores the lasting effects of Apartheid in South Africa · Aug 2022

    0 votes

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15. —
    Geoffrey Cain

    Understanding China's brutal treatment of Uyghur Muslims through two nonfiction books · May 2022

    0 votes

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16. —
    Ian Falconer

    Family pets and complicated emotions in two children's books · Aug 2022

    0 votes

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17. —
    Jeremy Dauber

    'American Scary' documents a cultural obsession with horror in the United States · Oct 2024

    0 votes

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18. —
    Jon Hilsenrath

    A new biography of Janet Yellen offers a personal look at the trailblazing economist · Jan 2023

    0 votes

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19. —
    Jules Feiffer

    'Amazing Grapes' was Pulitzer-winning illustrator Jules Feiffer's final book · 2 episodes

    0 votes

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20. —
    Keith Ellison

    'Break the Wheel' examines police violence and accountability · May 2023

    0 votes

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21. —
    Marisha Pessl

    A game design company has mysterious forces at play in the new YA thriller 'Darkly' · Dec 2024

    0 votes

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22. —
    Octavia Butler

    Octavia Butler imagines a world without racism · Feb 2022

    0 votes

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23. —
    Quinn Slobodian

    A new book argues Elon Musk is the architect of a new world view · Jun 2026

    0 votes

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24. —
    Scott Carney

    'The Vortex' investigates how climate catastrophes can have unexpected consequences · Apr 2022

    0 votes

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25. —
    Steve Coll

    'The Achilles Trap' analyzes the relationship between the U.S. and Saddam Hussein · Mar 2024

    0 votes

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26. —
    Annabelle Tometich

    'The Mango Tree' is a memoir about growing up mixed-race Filipina in south Florida · Jun 2024

    0 votes

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27. —
    Aziz Abu Sarah

    In 'The Future is Peace,' tourism paves a way forward for Israelis and Palestinians · May 2026

    0 votes

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28. —
    EO Wilson

    Two books show life as seen through the eyes of the animal kingdom · Jul 2022

    0 votes

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29. —
    Gaia Vince

    Gaia Vince details how migration will help billions survive in new book · Sep 2022

    0 votes

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30. —
    Kate Medley

    'Thank You Please Come Again' pays homage to Southern gas station food shops · Feb 2024

    0 votes

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31. —
    Linda Ronstadt

    Two books highlight the role of food in creating the comfort of home · Oct 2022

    0 votes

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32. —
    Maoz Inon
    0 votes

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33. —
    Mayukh Sen

    A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white · Mar 2025

    0 votes

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34. —
    Nury Turkel
    0 votes

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35. —
    Raghavan Iyer

    Books by Raghavan Iyer and CrossCultureKev celebrate curry and chai recipes · Dec 2023

    0 votes

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36. —
    Samantha Harvey

    'Orbital' captures one day in the life of six astronauts · Jan 2024

    0 votes

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37. —
    Tamar Adler

    In 'The Everlasting Meal Cookbook', chef Tamar Adler gives new life to old leftovers · Dec 2023

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38. —
    Tanya Bush
    0 votes

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39. —
    Thant Myint-U

    ‘Peacemaker’ and ‘Tomorrow Is Yesterday’ are personal histories of diplomacy · Sep 2025

    0 votes

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40. —
    Toni Tipton-Martin

    'When Southern Women Cook' is a diverse portrait of the American South's food culture · Dec 2024

    0 votes

    Never again