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. —
   Owen Han

   With a new cookbook, TikTok creator Owen Han aims to perfect the art of the sandwich · Oct 2024

   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   Rax King

   ‘Sloppy’ author Rax King says she’s inspired by writers who did their best work sober · 2 episodes

   0 votes

   Never again
3. —
   Sam Roberts

   'New York Times' obituarist Sam Roberts says he writes about life – not death · Aug 2026

   0 votes

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4. —
   Sarah McCammon

   In 'The Exvangelicals,' Sarah McCammon analyzes loving and leaving the church · Mar 2024

   0 votes

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5. —
   Tina Knowles

   In her new memoir, Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé and Solange, tells her own story · May 2025

   0 votes

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6. —
   Anne Rice

   'Interview with the Vampire' author Anne Rice takes NPR on a tour of her haunted home · Oct 2025

   0 votes

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7. —
   Art Spiegelman

   Art Spiegelman reissues 'Breakdowns' with new perspective on book bans · 2 episodes

   0 votes

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8. —
   Azar Nafisi

   Author Azar Nafisi says books can help you really live · 2 episodes

   0 votes

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9. —
   Brit Bennett
   0 votes

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10. —
    Jeff Selingo

    In 'Dream School,' Jeff Selingo wants parents to rethink what makes a ‘good’ college · Oct 2025

    0 votes

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11. —
    Jim O'Heir

    In 'Welcome to Pawnee,' Jim O'Heir reflects on his time on 'Parks and Recreation' · Jan 2025

    0 votes

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12. —
    John Irving

    In 'The Last Chairlift,' John Irving revisits familiar themes with a new perspective · Nov 2022

    0 votes

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13. —
    Michael Ondaatje
    0 votes

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14. —
    Mohsin Hamid

    Mohsin Hamid and Alora Young detail the impact of colorism in their stories · Aug 2022

    0 votes

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15. —
    Mosab Abu Toha

    Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha bears witness to war in 'Forest of Noise' · Oct 2024

    0 votes

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16. —
    Rebecca Yarros

    Rebecca Yarros on literary tropes, writing through chronic illness and 'Fourth Wing' · Oct 2024

    0 votes

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17. —
    Robert Jones Jr

    Robert Jones Jr. and Laird Hunt talk tragedies and overlooked histories · Dec 2021

    0 votes

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18. —
    Terrance Hayes

    Terrance Hayes' poems span history, fables and quarantine in 'So to Speak' · Aug 2023

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19. —
    Ada Ferrer

    In 'Keeper of My Kin,' Ada Ferrer struggles with being her mother's "chosen one" · Jun 2026

    0 votes

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20. —
    Adam Rubin
    0 votes

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21. —
    Aisha Harris

    In her memoir 'Wannabe,' Aisha Harris examines how '90s pop culture shaped her · Jun 2023

    0 votes

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22. —
    Alan Henry

    Journalist Alan Henry's new book is an invitation to get Seen, Heard, and Paid · Aug 2022

    0 votes

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23. —
    Albert Woodfox

    Criminal justice reform and resilience are central in Albert Woodfox's 'Solitary' · Aug 2022

    0 votes

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24. —
    Alizah Holstein

    Alizah Holstein writes about the complex echelons of academia in 'My Roman History' · Dec 2024

    0 votes

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25. —
    Allison Epstein

    Allison Epstein's 'Fagin the Thief' gives a Charles Dickens character a second chance · Mar 2025

    0 votes

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26. —
    Alora Young
    0 votes

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27. —
    Amanda Jayatissa
    0 votes

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28. —
    Amina Luqman-Dawson

    In 'Freewater' Amina Luqman-Dawson uses YA fiction to dive deep into Black history · Aug 2022

    0 votes

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29. —
    Andrew Krivak

    Andrew Krivak’s novel 'Mule Boy' takes readers inside a Pennsylvania coal mine · Mar 2026

    0 votes

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30. —
    Andy Corren

    Andy Corren's memoir 'Dirtbag Queen' expands on a viral tribute to his mother · Feb 2025

    0 votes

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31. —
    Angela Tomaski

    Angela Tomaski’s debut novel takes readers on a tour of an English manor in decline · Feb 2026

    0 votes

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32. —
    Anne Heltzel

    Anne Heltzel questions 'cult of motherhood' in a new horror novel 'Just Like Mother' · May 2022

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33. —
    Annie Hartnett

    Authors Annie Hartnett and Kevin Wilson on writing road trip novels · Aug 2026

    0 votes

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34. —
    Barbara Bradley Hagerty

    In 'Bringing Ben Home,' Barbara Bradley Hagerty examines a wrongful conviction · Aug 2024

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35. —
    Belle Burden

    Belle Burden on 'Strangers,' her divorce, and financial literacy for women · May 2026

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36. —
    Ben Crump

    Ben Crump says 'Worse Than a Lie' is a legal thriller wrapped in Black culture · Jun 2026

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37. —
    Beth Moore

    Beth Moore says misogyny pushed her to leave the Southern Baptist Convention · Mar 2023

    0 votes

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38. —
    Betül Tunç

    Betül Tunç's new cookbook shares the recipes behind her viral dough videos · Jan 2025

    0 votes

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39. —
    Beverly Jenkins
    0 votes

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40. —
    Bonnie Kistler

    Bonnie Kistler's new thriller explores ageism from the lens of a murder · Nov 2024

    0 votes

    Never again