'Jesus Wept' author chronicles the debates roiling the Catholic church Philip Shenon talks about the past seven popes, and how efforts to reform the Church with the Second Vatican Council led to power struggles and doctrinal debates that lasted for decades. Dave Davies
Allison Epstein's 'Fagin the Thief' gives the Oliver Twist character a backstory NPR's Scott Simon speaks with novelist Allison Epstein about her new novel "Fagin the Thief," which imagines a backstory for the character from the Charles Dickens book "Oliver Twist." Scott Simon
The authors of two new memoirs discuss the emotional toll of sharing your trauma Two new memoirs, How to Sell Out and Trauma Plot wrestle with the question — is it worth it to mine the worst parts of your life for a book? Authors Chad Sanders and Jamie Hood talk about how they tally up the emotional costs of memoir-writing. Andrew Limbong
Rich Benjamin reflects on a family fractured by a military coup in 'Talk to Me' Benjamin's grandfather, a labor leader, was appointed president of Haiti in '57, but was overthrown after 19 days in office. He talks about his family's resilience and the lasting effects of the coup. Terry Gross
New novel asks: How much can a male friendship take? Eric Puchner's new novel, Dream State, was just named the latest Oprah book club pick. It's about a love triangle that tests the decades-long friendship of two college friends. Andrew Limbong
The relationship at the heart of the Harlem Renaissance NPR's Pien Huang talks with Victoria Christopher Murray, author of Harlem Rhapsody, a novel that serves as a love letter to the heart of Black creativity and possibility in the 1920s. Pien Huang
Rupert Everett's 'The American No' draws from the rejections he faced in Hollywood NPR's Scott Simon talks with British actor — and now short story writer — Rupert Everett about his new book, "The American No." Scott Simon
Charlotte Wood's new book is an examination of what we owe the world and ourselves NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with author Charlotte Wood about Stone Yard Devotional, in which the narrator retreats to a convent to escape the monotony of every day life. Soon, the disruptions arrive. Mia Venkat
Jo Nesbo's new book 'Blood Ties' begins with a mass murderer ready to start a family NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with writer Jo Nesbo about his new thriller, Blood Ties. In it, two brothers with a dark history stand in contrast to the setting, a pretty little spa town. Erika Ryan