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NPR's Book of the Day

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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

In two new novels, city folk are thrown into life in the country. The Great Wherever is a multigenerational story told through ghosts. A woman living in Washington, D.C. learns she’s inherited her father’s share of a family property, a piece of farml... more

Deb Haaland’s ancestors, who were Pueblo Indians, were the first inhabitants of New Mexico – and she’s had a number of firsts herself. In 2018 she was one of the first two Native women elected to Congress, and then in 2021 she became the first Native... more

After a couple suffers a tragedy, they receive a mysterious and exclusive offer for a humanoid AI companion that knows everything about them. At first, Mr. Man is a godsend for their home, but then it begins to anticipate the family’s every need, eve... more

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Dave Portnoy, the polarizing social media personality and founder of Barstool Sports, has published a memoir. In Cancel Me If You Can, he writes about building a media empire – but also about his role as a political lightning rod. Portnoy spoke with ... more

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Recent Guests

Mara Brock Akil
Author of The Revelation of Dionne Daphne; TV creator
Author/Creator
Episode: 'The Shampoo Effect,' 'The Revelation of Dionne Daphne' are marked by big surprises
Jenny Jackson
Author of The Shampoo Effect (and Pineapple Street)
Author
Episode: 'The Shampoo Effect,' 'The Revelation of Dionne Daphne' are marked by big surprises
Mary Beard
Academic and researcher; Professor at Cambridge; author of Talking Classics, The Shock of the Old
University of Cambridge
Episode: Mary Beard's 'Talking Classics' examines our obsession with the ancient world
Ai Weiwei
Artist and activist, author of On Censorship
Artist and activist
Episode: Artist and activist Ai Weiwei on political censorship in the West
Mike Pence
Former Vice President, author of What Conservatives Believe
Former Vice President of the United States
Episode: Mike Pence's 'What Conservatives Believe' critiques the second Trump administration
Jonathan Jakubowicz
Author and filmmaker of The Adventures of Juan Planchard
Author, The Adventures of Juan Planchard
Episode: Jonathan Jakubowicz says he wanted to write a book Venezuelans couldn't resist
Margaret Verble
Author of When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky
Author
Episode: 'Kin' and 'When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky' fictionalize the Jim Crow South
Tayari Jones
Author of Kin (latest novel)
Author
Episode: 'Kin' and 'When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky' fictionalize the Jim Crow South
Eddie Glaude
Professor of African American Studies at Princeton
Princeton University
Episode: Eddie Glaude on the tension at the center of America's milestone birthdays

Hosts

Alyson Adworny
Host contributing NPR's Book of the Day; frequent NPR Books contributor
Indira Lakshmanan
Here & Now host; NPR correspondent

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 942 ratings
  • 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 Statesa month ago
  • I’m sorry

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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Badboy15👻
    United States7 months ago
  • Love the podcast!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tcfan18
    United States7 months ago
  • Good Stuff

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Inday_Mie
    United States8 months ago
  • Great listen!

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NVNVNV72
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value concise, high-quality conversations and quick takeaways.
Some listeners perceive a liberal bias and wish for more neutral selections.
Listeners praise the breadth of books and engaging author interviews.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#13
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#53
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#57
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#67
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#147
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#176
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Eddie Glaude on the tension at the center of America's milestone birthdays
Q: What is the long importance of July 5th in this framework, especially for Black America?
July 5th is presented as a counter-narrative to July 4th, highlighting emancipation and abolition milestones that complicate the national story and reveal the ongoing struggle against racial oppression.
Eddie Glaude on the tension at the center of America's milestone birthdays
Q: So as we listen, let me ask you about the main contention you make, that America has a double consciousness. What do you mean?
Glaude explains that the nation holds two conflicting self-images—one as a beacon of freedom and another rooted in a white supremacist history—creating a foundational tension that surfaces around milestone anniversaries.
Revisiting the story of the American Revolution with Rick Atkinson
Q: Question must be asked in this day and age. Was the American Revolution truly a revolution for freedom or was it a white patriarchy of slave owners and apologists for slave owners who simply wanted a bigger slice of the money pie?
The answer suggests that while some revolutionaries held slaveholding views, the era also contained aspirational beliefs about equality and the potential for a more egalitarian society, even if those ideals did not apply to all people at the time.
'Kin' and 'When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky' fictionalize the Jim Crow South
Q: So Nisi leaves Honeysuckle and she goes to Spellman, your alma mater, and so many of the traditions that are talked about in the book still are going on. Can you describe how your own experiences at Spellman informed the novel?
Verble discusses how Spellman shaped the characters through traditions, professional ambitions, and the social dynamics of an all-women's Black college, while reflecting on how historical memory and personal experience informed the writing.
'The Shampoo Effect,' 'The Revelation of Dionne Daphne' are marked by big surprises
Q: Can you describe the group of friends and what keeps them together over the years?
Jenny Jackson explains they are like a chosen family who remain close by history and affection, which makes upheavals like a pregnancy or new relationships all the more disruptive and revealing.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

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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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. The Book Case
4. What Should I Read Next?
5. Book Riot - The Podcast

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

NPR's Book of the Day launched 5 years ago and published 1282 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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What guests have appeared on NPR's Book of the Day?

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

1. Mara Brock Akil
2. Jenny Jackson
3. Mary Beard
4. Ai Weiwei
5. Mike Pence
6. Jonathan Jakubowicz
7. Margaret Verble
8. Tayari Jones

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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