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. —
   Anne Berest

   'The Postcard' and 'Good Night, Irene' detail how WWII impacted two families · Jun 2023

   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   Anthony Christian Ocampo

   Gay sons of immigrants talk about the weight they carry in 'Brown and Gay in LA' · Oct 2022

   0 votes

   Never again
3. —
   April Ryan

   'Black Women Will Save the World' honors those on the frontlines of democracy · Oct 2022

   0 votes

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4. —
   Ari Tison

   Two novels find siblings confronting the evils around them · Apr 2023

   0 votes

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5. —
   Ariel Lawhon

   'The Frozen River' tells the fictionalized story of a real 18th century midwife · Jan 2024

   0 votes

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6. —
   Arigon Starr
   0 votes

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7. —
   Arthur Levine

   'The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol' is a mythical take on the Jewish holiday · Dec 2024

   0 votes

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8. —
   Ashley Cullins

   ‘Your Favorite Scary Movie’ and ‘Ready for My Close-Up’ are histories of iconic films · Aug 2025

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9. —
   Ashley Hope Pérez

   Bans on books like 'Out of Darkness' target authors of color · 2 episodes

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10. —
    Ashley Kahn

    New music books take on Paul Simon's 'Graceland' and the history of music and prison · Sep 2026

    0 votes

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11. —
    Audrey Lee

    Two new novels explore a world where technology has even greater access to our minds · Apr 2025

    0 votes

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12. —
    Augustine Sedgewick

    'Fatherhood' traces a history of masculinity, from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud · Jun 2025

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13. —
    Austen Ivereigh

    An early biography paints Pope Francis as 'The Great Reformer' of the Catholic Church · Apr 2025

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14. —
    Austin Kelley
    0 votes

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15. —
    Ayesha Rascoe
    0 votes

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16. —
    Azra Aksamija

    'Design To Live' is a testament to the human spirit · Dec 2021

    0 votes

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17. —
    Banu Mushtaq

    Short story collection 'Heart Lamp' is the winner of the International Booker Prize · Jul 2025

    0 votes

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18. —
    Barbara Ehrenreich

    'Nickel and Dimed' is a window into the lives of low-wage workers · Sep 2022

    0 votes

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19. —
    Barrie Hardymon

    Revisiting Anne Rice’s ‘Interview with the Vampire’ · Oct 2025

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20. —
    Belinda Huijuan Tang

    Author weaves family history with fiction in debut novel · Aug 2022

    0 votes

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21. —
    Ben Clanton

    ‘Papilio’ and ‘Chooch Helped’ are children’s books brought to life by friendship · Sep 2025

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22. —
    Ben Purkert

    'The Men Can't Be Saved' analyzes masculinity in the world of advertising · Sep 2023

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23. —
    Benjamin Stevenson

    Two books, two very different takes on Christmas stories · Dec 2024

    0 votes

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24. —
    Beth Ann Fennelly

    'The Irish Goodbye' and 'Frog' are micro-memoirs and essays about everyday life · Mar 2026

    0 votes

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25. —
    Betty Shamieh

    A new novel follows the love lives of three generations of Palestinian American women · Feb 2025

    0 votes

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26. —
    Bianca Mabute-Louie

    'Unassimilable' makes a radical case against assimilation for the Asian diaspora · Jan 2025

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27. —
    Bill Janovitz

    Music biographies 'The Cars,' 'Only God Can Judge Me' balance greatness and tragedy · Nov 2025

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28. —
    Bill Parcells
    0 votes

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29. —
    Billy Collins
    0 votes

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30. —
    Blair Braverman

    In 'Small Game,' a survival-challenge reality show takes a dark turn · Nov 2022

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31. —
    Brandon Kyle Goodman

    In 'You Gotta Be You,' Brandon Kyle Goodman says we should embrace who we are · Oct 2022

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32. —
    Brendan Slocumb

    Two authors tell stories of the weird and wild in the classical music world · Feb 2022

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33. —
    Brian Kelley

    'Parks 2' is a book of photos and essays focused on the National Parks · Jan 2025

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34. —
    Britni de la Cretaz

    'Hail Mary' sets the record straight on the history of the women's football league · Nov 2021

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35. —
    Brooke Kroeger

    'Undaunted' provides a thorough history of the women who blazed trails in journalism · May 2023

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36. —
    Burkhard Bilger

    Two books look back on family histories and secrets · May 2023

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37. —
    C.K. Chau

    'Good Fortune' reimagines 'Pride and Prejudice' in early 2000s Chinatown · Aug 2023

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38. —
    Caitlin Shetterly

    In 'Pete and Alice in Maine,' a marriage is tested during pandemic · Dec 2023

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39. —
    Caoilinn Hughes

    'The Alternatives' is a novel about grief, sisterhood and working women · May 2024

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40. —
    Carlos Barragán

    'The Yahoo Boys' investigates Nigeria’s network of cyber crime 'sweetheart scams' · Jun 2026

    0 votes

    Never again