• Ep. 161 NHPR Tolani Akinola: LEAVE YOUR MESS AT HOME + Laura B. McGrath discusses literary agents
    May 22 2026

    In the wreckage of a fateful Thanksgiving reunion at their Nigerian-American family’s table, four siblings are forced to reckon with the past, take stock of what really matters, and find a way back to each other.

    On the Book Biz we talk with Laura McGrath, an English professor at Temple University and the author of the new book, "Middlemen: Literary Agents and the Making of American Fiction" about the role of agents in publishing today and whether we still need them.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Ep. 160 NHPR Stacia Stark: WE WHO WILL DIE
    May 15 2026

    A young woman faces a deadly competition where survival depends on mastering forbidden powers she barely understands. As secrets about her past and the ruling powers emerge, Arvelle must decide whom to trust before the trials—and her enemies—claim her life.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Ep. 159 NHPR Daniyal Mueenuddin : THIS IS WHERE THE SERPENT LIVES + Vauhini Vara Discusses AI
    May 8 2026

    Through intertwining narratives set in both the U.S. and Pakistan, the novel reveals how class, power, and desire trap its characters in cycles of deception and emotional isolation.

    And on our segment, The Book Biz, journalist Vauhini Vara, author of "Searches; Selfhood in the Digital Age," discusses how AI is changing writing, reading, and publishing.

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Ep. 158 NHPR Judy Batalion: THE LAST WOMAN OF WARSAW + Rachel Kanter of Lovestruck Books
    May 1 2026

    In 1938, Fanny Zelshinsky, is deciding whether or not to go through with her upcoming wedding. Meanwhile, Zosia Dror has fled her religious family to become part of a new youth movement. But when artist Wanda Petrovsky goes missing, this unlikely duo works together to find Wanda before it’s too late.

    And on our segment, The Book Biz, Rachel Kanter, owner and founder of Lovestruck Books, discusses digital-first publishing.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Ep. 157 NHPR Rebecca Lehman: THE BEHEADING GAME
    Apr 24 2026

    We all know what happened to Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. But what if she woke up the day after her execution and took it upon herself to seek justice? A fantastical journey through the wilds of England and Tudor history, filled with danger and magic and steeped in Arthurian legend.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Ep. 156 NHPR Claire Oshetsky & Rachel Kanter: EVIL GENIUS and Lovestruck Books
    Apr 17 2026

    EVIL GENIUS is a darkly comedic, surreal noir novel set in 1974 San Francisco, following 19-year-old Celia Dent as she becomes obsessed with murder and desire after a co-worker's death, leading her to challenge her controlling husband and her mundane life.

    Also on the show we introduce a new recurring segment: The Book Biz. On this show, Rachel Kanter, the owner and founder of Lovestruck Books, talks about the growth of romance bookstores and how they are changing publishing.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Ep. 155 NHPR Karan Mahajan: THE COMPLEX
    Apr 10 2026

    THE COMPLEX moves between the U.S. and modern India to follow the illicit liaisons, real estate dramas, political ambitions and betrayals of a prominent Delhi family, unraveling in the shadow of a nation's transformation.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Ep. 154 NHPR: Holiday Episode with Deesha Philyaw and Gwydion Suilebhan
    Dec 13 2025

    A conversation with Deesha Philyaw and Gwydion Suilebhan from the prestigious PEN/Faulkner Foundation offering a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a book stand out—and their favorite books you might have missed.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins