A poet on capturing a difficult moment in time Donika Kelly wrote part of her new poetry collection, "The Natural Order of Things," during her first year of teaching, at a time when U.S. drone strikes in military conflicts were killing civilians. Neda Ulaby
'Kill Your Darlings' untangles the secrets couple keep for – and from – one another NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to author Peter Swanson about his new mystery novel, Kill Your Darlings, which explores the reasons behind a poet's act of murder against her own husband. Ashley Brown
'How to Lose Your Mother' author Molly Jong-Fast reflects on life with mom Erica Jong In her new memoir, Jong-Fast writes that her mother, Erica Jong — who penned the 1973 feminist novel Fear of Flying — had become addicted to fame and couldn't bear losing it. Terry Gross
Rob Franklin dsicusses his novel 'Great Black Hope' In "Great Black Hope," a young, gay, Black man is reeling even before his socialite roommate is found dead. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Rob Franklin about race, class, addiction, and his debut novel. Ayesha Rascoe
In 'Astronaut', Taylor Jenkins Reid imagines the first women astronauts NPR's Debbie Elliott talks with Taylor Jenkins Reid about the lives of the first women astronauts as imagined in her new novel, "Atmosphere." Debbie Elliott
'The Spinach King' is a tale of American success--and family betrayal NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with John Seabrook about his book The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, which tells the story of his family's frozen vegetable empire. Jordan-Marie Smith
When is forgetting normal — and when is it worrisome? A neuroscientist weighs in Do you have trouble remembering names or where you put your keys? Neurologist Charan Ranganath, author of Why We Remember, talks about the science of memory. Originally broadcast Feb. 24, 2024. Terry Gross
After his mother's death, Ocean Vuong wrote his way out of grief Vuong's new novel, The Emperor of Gladness, is the first he's written, from start to finish, since his mother died in 2019. He says writing it was a way to honor her memory. Tonya Mosley
What makes the best kind of humor? Damon Young offers answers in new essay collection NPR's Juana Summers talks with Damon Young about That's How They Get You, his new humor anthology featuring essays by Black writers. Jeffrey Pierre
New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern broke the mold on leadership, motherhood and stepping down NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern about balancing leadership and motherhood. Courtney Dorning