Richard Price explores second chances, and rising from the rubble in 'Lazarus Man' In Price's novel, a Harlem apartment building collapses, upending the lives of its residents, including a photographer, a funeral director and a 42-year-old man who feels he has little to live for. Terry Gross
Space becomes mundane in Samantha Harvey's award-winning novel 'Orbital' NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with author Samantha Harvey about her new book Orbital, which examines the fascinating mundane-ness of outer space from the perspective of an international space station. Ari Shapiro
How the 1874 Freedman's Bank collapse connects to economic disparities we see today In Savings and Trust, historian Justene Hill Edwards tells the story of the Freedman's Bank. Created for formerly enslaved people following the Civil War, its collapse cost depositors millions. Tonya Mosley
Al Pacino says he almost turned down 'The Godfather Part II' Pacino says the initial script for the Godfather sequel was so bad he nearly passed on the project — until it was rewritten. The Oscar-winning actor looks back on his life in the memoir Sonny Boy. Terry Gross
Mike Thomas on co-writing a new Johnny Carson biography NPR's Scott Simon interviews Mike Thomas about the new Johnny Carson biography, "Carson the Magnificent," co-written by Bill Zehme. Scott Simon
Undone by the loss of his brother Eddie, Alex Van Halen looks back in a new memoir Though Alex had been the guitarist in the family, when they formed Van Halen, it quickly became clear who would play: "[Ed] made that instrument sing." Alex's new memoir is Brothers. Tonya Mosley
How culture wars divided one small progressive church in Philadelphia Journalist Eliza Griswold says complaints about homophobia, white privilege and diversity are splintering progressive organizations — including one particular church. Her book is Circle of Hope. Terry Gross
A new book charts the history of horror from the Salem Witch Trials to Stephen King NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Columbia University professor Jeremy Dauber about his new book, "American Scary: A History of Horror from Salem to Stephen King and Beyond." Matthew Schuerman
Alexei Navalny's widow on how her role has changed since his death NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnya about her husband's posthumous memoir Patriot and how her role has changed since his death. Ari Shapiro
After John le Carré's death, his son had the 'daunting' task to revive George Smiley Nick Harkaway grew up hearing his dad read drafts of his George Smiley novels. He picks up le Carré's beloved spymaster character in the new novel, Karla's Choice. Sam Briger