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. —
   Abdulrazak Gurnah

   Abdulrazak Gurnah's 'Afterlives' highlights nuances of colonization in East Africa · 2 episodes

   0 votes

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2. —
   Ali Smith

   In Ali Smith's 'Gliff,' two children flee capture in an authoritarian near-future · Feb 2025

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3. —
   Amy Tan

   Amy Tan opens up about her birding obsession in 'The Backyard Bird Chronicles' · May 2024

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4. —
   Anne Enright

   Anne Enright's 'The Wren, The Wren' is a family story about poetry and betrayal · 2 episodes

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5. —
   Anne Tyler
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6. —
   Anthony Horowitz
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7. —
   Asma Khan

   A new cookbook by Darjeeling Express chef Asma Khan was inspired by seasonal cooking · Apr 2025

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8. —
   Bernardine Evaristo

   Author Bernardine Evaristo confides in the reader in new memoir, 'Manifesto' · 2 episodes

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9. —
   Colm Toibin

   In 'Long Island,' one woman returns to Ireland after discovering her husband's affair · 2 episodes

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10. —
    Dolly Parton
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11. —
    Harlan Coben
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12. —
    Ian McEwan

    Ian McEwan’s latest novel ‘What We Can Know’ is science fiction without the science · Sep 2025

    0 votes

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13. —
    Isabel Allende

    Isabel Allende's latest historical novel draws from her time at a women's magazine · May 2025

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14. —
    Jacinda Ardern

    As prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern juggled leadership and motherhood · Jun 2025

    0 votes

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15. —
    Kate Moennig
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16. —
    Kazuo Ishiguro

    Author Kazuo Ishiguro and singer Stacey Kent collaborate on new songbook · May 2024

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17. —
    Lindsey Vonn

    Failure motivates Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn · 2 episodes

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18. —
    Madhur Jaffrey

    Madhur Jaffrey celebrates 50 years of 'An Invitation to Indian Cooking' · Aug 2023

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19. —
    Margaret Atwood

    Margaret Atwood on what finally made her agree to write a memoir · 2 episodes

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20. —
    Mary Beard

    Mary Beard's 'Talking Classics' examines our obsession with the ancient world · Jul 2026

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21. —
    Minnie Driver

    The paradox of fame in Minnie Driver's new memoir · May 2022

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22. —
    Nancy Pelosi

    Nancy Pelosi opens up about how she wields 'The Art of Power' · Aug 2024

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23. —
    Naomi Watts

    With 'Dare I Say It,' Naomi Watts aims to help menopausal women feel less alone · Feb 2025

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24. —
    Nicholas Sparks

    Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan on 'Remain,' their supernatural romance novel · Jan 2026

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25. —
    Nick Hornby
    0 votes

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26. —
    Paul Hollywood
    0 votes

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27. —
    Philip Pullman

    Reflecting on 30 years of 'The Golden Compass' with Sir Philip Pullman · 2 episodes

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28. —
    Rupert Everett
    0 votes

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29. —
    Salman Rushdie

    In 'The Eleventh Hour,' Salman Rushdie writes about morality, revenge and ghosts · 4 episodes

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30. —
    Stephen King

    Stephen King on 'The Shining' sequel and the novel he co-authored with his son · 2 episodes

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31. —
    Tom Daley

    Olympic diver Tom Daley explains his love for knitting in 'Made With Love' · Dec 2022

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32. —
    Val McDermid

    With her new book, Scottish author Val McDermid wants to “charm you into winter” · Jan 2026

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33. —
    Whoopi Goldberg

    Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Selleck memoirs look back at their beginnings · May 2024

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34. —
    William Boyd

    William Boyd’s 'The Predicament' is a spy thriller with a conspiratorial edge · Dec 2025

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35. —
    Yotam Ottolenghi

    In 'Ottolenghi Comfort,' Yotam Ottolenghi takes an expansive view of comfort food · Oct 2024

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36. —
    Zadie Smith

    Zadie Smith looks back at her debut novel 'White Teeth' 25 years after its release · 3 episodes

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37. —
    Ada Limón

    Ada Limón talks forgiveness, ghosts and fertility on 'Wild Card' · 3 episodes

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38. —
    Amor Towles

    Amor Towles revisits an old protagonist in 'Table for Two' · 2 episodes

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39. —
    Barbra Streisand

    Barbra Streisand's memoir looks back on a groundbreaking career · Nov 2023

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40. —
    Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

    'Dream Count' is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's first novel in more than a decade · Mar 2025

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