Kids notice everything — here's what one child sees 'Next to Me' When they became parents, Dragons Love Tacos illustrator Daniel Salmieri and artist Sophia Haas noticed that they were ... noticing more. So they wrote Next to Me, their first kids' book together. Samantha Balaban
Christopher Moore discusses his book 'Anima Rising' NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Christopher Moore, who brings Gustav Klimt, Sigmund Freud, an undead woman, and a host of other unlikely characters together in his latest book, "Anima Rising." Scott Simon
Within the new novel 'The Emperor of Gladness,' a love letter to fast food workers In his new novel, The Emperor of Gladness, Ocean Vuong lovingly describes characters who worked together in a Connecticut fast food restaurant. Ari Shapiro
In 'Sleep,' mom tries to raise kids with vigilance, not fear NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Honor Jones about her debut novel, Sleep, and how the things people learn and endure in childhood affect how they parent. Sarah Handel
Author Ocean Vuong on 'the shared bond of survival' and his new novel Author Ocean Vuong talks about his new novel, The Emperor of Gladness. It centers on the unlikely friendship between a 19-year-old college dropout and an 82-year-old with dementia. Ari Shapiro
'Class Clown' looks back on Dave Barry's sometimes-dark past with his trademark humor Dave Barry says he's always been the "class clown." His new book looks back at his "first 77 years," examining the funny but also the tragic. NPR's Scott Simon speaks to the Pulitzer Prize winner. Scott Simon
Bestselling author Fredrik Backman nearly retired before finishing new book Bestselling Swedish writer Fredrik Backman says he never struggled with his confidence as much as he did writing his new book, My Friends. In fact, he was seriously considering retiring. Elena Burnett
A conversation with R. Crumb, the king of underground comics Crumb's comics were staples of 1960s counterculture. He's now the subject of a new biography. Crumb spoke to Fresh Air in 2005, and again, with his wife, fellow comic Aline Kominsky Crumb, in 2007. Terry Gross
From apps to gadgets, 'Second Life' considers how tech is changing having a baby When Amanda Hess learned her unborn child had a genetic condition, she turned to the internet — but didn't find reassurance. "My relationship with technology became so much more intense," she says. Tonya Mosley
How one writer quit dieting and discovered her strength through weightlifting Casey Johnston spent years running and restricting calories. When she started weightlifting, she rebuilt muscle mass — and her relationship with her body. Mara Gordon