
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
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 1255 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsBooks | |||

In 2022, journalist Carlos Barragán moved to Lagos, Nigeria to investigate a cybercrime network of text-based internet phishing, also known as “sweetheart scams." He found that a small band of young men known as the “Yahoo Boys” were creating fake av... more
R.F. Kuang’s fantasy novel Katabasis, first published in 2025, is out in paperback. The book is about two rival doctoral students studying magic at Cambridge University. Together, they travel to hell to rescue their recently deceased thesis advisor. ... more
A few years ago, Theo Baker – then a student at Stanford University – joined the school newspaper and broke a story that forced the university president to resign. Marc Tessier-Lavigne, he uncovered, had overseen several labs in which researchers had... more
Novelist Ann Patchett has written about things as wild as hostage takeovers, fairy tales, and betrayed magicians’ assistants. But her new novel Whistler turns down the stakes to focus on the quieter complexities of human relationships. Today’s episod... more
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But I will give you 3 stars I hope that’s enough 😉
Thanks so much for a thoughtful podcast about a wide variety of quality books!
Some of these books are classics. Haven’t read them since high school and it has been a pleasure re-visiting them, the Zora Neale Hurston episode in particular. Some reviews here mention a “liberal bias.” A gentle reminder that this is a podcast about literature.
This is an amazing book podcast with insightful and engaging interviews. The conversations are thought provoking, inspiring, and I always leave feeling a bit more connected to the world around me. I am shocked at the reviews that gripe about bias — the genres covered and the guests interviewed range widely. Someone in the comments requested a “neutral” book — writers don’t spend years of their life and pour their souls into books about “neutral”subjects but stories that they care about deeply. A... more
I find this show so useful in keeping track of books I want to read, new (and old) releases, plus hearing interviews with authors really changes my perception of their works. More a fan of fiction than non-fiction, but I appreciate the opportunity to hear these great NPR interviews.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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A short-form literary interview show that features a rotating roster of authors, journalists, and cultural commentators. Episodes typically center on a single book or idea, with focused, question-driven conversations that explore themes, writing craft, and the author's experiences. The format tends to favor timely, cross-genre books—fiction, memoir, and nonfiction—delivered in 15 minutes or less. Listeners get quick, insight-rich takes on why a book matters, often with behind-the-scenes anecdotes about writing, publishing, and public reception. A few guests stand out for their high-profile careers or provocative ideas, which can make episodes especially talk-worthy for fans of culture, politics, and literary craft.
Noteworthy strengths inc... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with NPR's Book of the Day:
1. The Book Review
2. Poured Over
3. Fresh Air
4. Book Riot - The Podcast
5. The Book Case
NPR's Book of the Day launched 5 years ago and published 1255 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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Recent guests on NPR's Book of the Day include:
1. Ann Patchett
2. Marie Benedict
3. Victoria Christopher Murray
4. Adela Ferrer
5. Maggie O'Farrell
6. Jill Biden
7. Steven Rowley
8. Neil deGrasse Tyson
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