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Artwork for NPR's Book of the Day

NPR's Book of the Day

NPR
New York City
Grief
Female Friendship
Artificial Intelligence
NPR
Education
Room 706
Clutch
Reproductive Rights
Eradication
Poetry
World War II
The Definitions
Party Of Two
Sexual Abuse
Midlife Challenges
Addiction
Literature
London
Feeding Ghosts

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 toda... more

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Artwork for NPR's Book of the Day

Latest Episodes

Today’s episode features two books – one classic and one new – that might lead you to reconsider your relationship to work. Nearly 25 years ago, journalist and activist Barbara Ehrenreich went undercover as a nursing aide, waitress, hotel maid and re... more

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Hernan Diaz’s new book, Ply, takes place in a future where institutions have fallen apart. It appears to be a book about systems and community, but turns out to be one about the self. Ply’s protagonist is a “pincher,” someone who steals electricity f... more

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Diana, Princess of Wales, died almost three decades ago, but her legacy and image persist in the public eye. Her brother, Charles Spencer, is out with a new book that paints a personal portrait of her. Swan Song is – in part – a deep dive into Diana’... more

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is the author of a new book called Go And Do Likewise: How We Heal A Broken Country. Beshear is a rare Democratic leader in an otherwise majority Republican voting state – and has said he is weighing a presidential run.... more

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Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Charles Spencer
Author of Swan Song, Princess Diana's brother
Author, Swan Song
Episode: 'Swan Song' sees Princess Diana through her brother’s eyes
Andy Beshear
Governor of Kentucky
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Episode: Gov. Andy Beshear on how the midterms will help him weigh his presidential run
Lois Lowry
Author of The Giver and Building 903
Author
Episode: Lois Lowry on 'Building 903,' 'The Giver' and relationships between the old and young
Ari Emanuel
Hollywood mega agent, co-founder of William Morris Endeavor (WME)
William Morris Endeavor (WME)
Episode: In 'Roll the Calls,' Hollywood's Ari Emanuel reflects on the art of agenting
Tomi Adeyemi
Author of The Siren and author of Children of Blood and Bone series
Author
Episode: A conversation with Tomi Adeyemi on her new novel 'The Siren'
Richard Kurin
Author of History by a Hair; Smithsonian scholar
Smithsonian Institution
Episode: In 'History by a Hair,' DNA offers answers to an old question about Thomas Jefferson
Min Jin Lee
Author of Pachinko and American Hagwon
Episode: 'Pachinko' author Min Jin Lee says writing 'American Hagwon' transformed her
Barbara Kingsolver
Pulitzer Prize–winning author
Author (Partita)
Episode: A visit with Barbara Kingsolver: We talk 'Partita,' piano, aging and Appalachia
Jacob Weisberg
Author of Profiles in Cowardice, journalist
Author, Profiles in Cowardice
Episode: 'Profiles in Cowardice' argues leaders failed to push back against President Trump

Host

Alyson Adworne
Host of NPR's Book of the Day

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 954 ratings
  • Resurrection…

    Grateful to NPR book of the day for restoring my passion for reading.

    After exploring NPRs library I am inspired to read many of the fascinating book discussions. What I have been missing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jsl262
    United Statesa month ago
  • Nice 👍 Show

    I’m getting back into reading and love the daily book recommendations from this show. The diversity in authors and genres is exactly what I needed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JO Robinson1
    United States2 months ago
  • Love it.

    If you love reading, this is the perfect 10 minute daily dose to remind you of the variety of written work in the world. Short, sweet, well done, enough variety to make me wonder each time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mmmwill
    United States4 months ago
  • I’m sorry

    But I will give you 3 stars I hope that’s enough 😉

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Badboy15👻
    United States9 months ago
  • Love the podcast!

    Thanks so much for a thoughtful podcast about a wide variety of quality books!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tcfan18
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive reception of diverse titles and concise author conversations; listeners value quick, thoughtful book recommendations.
Listeners appreciate the breadth of authors and genres, with many praising interview quality and guest variety.
Some critics accuse the show of perceived political bias in interviews or book selections.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#12
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#39
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#16
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#48
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#128
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#213
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

In 'History by a Hair,' DNA offers answers to an old question about Thomas Jefferson
Q: What are the ethical and social implications of uncovering truth about descendants tied to slavery?
Disclosures can affect living descendants and raise questions about family narratives, privacy, and the responsibility of museums to present findings honestly, even when they challenge cherished myths.
In 'History by a Hair,' DNA offers answers to an old question about Thomas Jefferson
Q: How did the hair become the key to this investigation?
Hair provided DNA that could be sequenced, allowing researchers to connect Jefferson's genetic material to descendants and illuminate questions historians had debated for generations.
Gov. Andy Beshear on how the midterms will help him weigh his presidential run
Q: What lessons have you learned from crossing party lines during crises like a pandemic or natural disasters?
Beshear reflects on pulling together across factions during emergencies, stressing that difficult moments reveal who we are and that cooperation can emerge from shared adversity.
Gov. Andy Beshear on how the midterms will help him weigh his presidential run
Q: What do you think you'd learn from the midterm elections that would help you decide about a presidential run?
He suggests that outcomes in 2026 could influence whether Democrats gain a stronger map for 2028, highlighting the importance of winning House and Senate seats to balance the presidency and advance governance.
Gov. Andy Beshear on how the midterms will help him weigh his presidential run
Q: Why religion remains an important way for him to connect with America and some who might not share his faith?
Beshear emphasizes respect for all voters, explains his actions through his faith, and argues that authentic communication about the why helps people understand decisions even when they disagree.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About NPR's Book of the Day

What is NPR's Book of the Day about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show centers on contemporary books and authors, with tight, interview-style conversations that spotlight craft, themes, and the author's perspective. Guests range from debut novelists to established literary voices, plus occasional non-fiction figures and a few figures connected to politics or current events. Episodes are compact, often under 20 minutes, and aim to offer quick, thoughtful introductions to titles and ideas, sometimes touching on adaptation, place, and culture. A standout attribute is the breadth of genres and international authors, delivered in snappy, accessible exchanges that make complex topics approachable for a broad audience of avid readers and book buyers. This format is especially useful f... more

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Which podcasts are similar to NPR's Book of the Day?

These podcasts share a similar audience with NPR's Book of the Day:

1. The Book Review
2. Poured Over
3. Fresh Air
4. Zero to Well-Read
5. What Should I Read Next?

How many episodes of NPR's Book of the Day are there?

NPR's Book of the Day launched 5 years ago and published 1342 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on NPR's Book of the Day?

Recent guests on NPR's Book of the Day include:

1. Charles Spencer
2. Andy Beshear
3. Lois Lowry
4. Ari Emanuel
5. Tomi Adeyemi
6. Richard Kurin
7. Min Jin Lee
8. Barbara Kingsolver

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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