How Louis Armstrong became the first Black pop star Author Ricky Riccardi says Armstrong's innovations as a trumpeter and vocalist helped set the entire soundtrack of the 20th century. His new book about Armstrong's early life is Stomp Off, Let's Go. Terry Gross
New novel digs into generations of love and heartache of an African American family NPR's Juana Summers speaks with author Charmaine Wilkerson about her new book, Good Dirt. Matt Ozug
'The Oligarch's Daughter' is a tale of spies and betrayal set amid extravagant luxury NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks to author Joseph Finder about his new thriller novel The Oligarch's Daughter, a tale of a man on the run from an elusive and mysterious adversary. Christopher Intagliata
A new book explains what the color blue can teach us about Black history Imani Perry traces the history and symbolism of the color blue, from the indigo of the slave trade, to Coretta Scott King's wedding dress, to present day cobalt mining. Her new book is Black in Blues. Tonya Mosley
Neko Case talks about her new memoir and discoveries about her upbringing NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to musician Neko Case about her new memoir, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You, and some of the shocking details Case writes about her upbringing. Ashley Brown
Bonny Reichert's 'How To Share An Egg' is a memoir about food and family NPR's Scott Simon talks with Bonny Reichert about her culinary memoir, "How to Share an Egg." It's a mix of food and family history. Reichert is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Scott Simon
Remembering Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Jules Feiffer Feiffer, who died Jan. 17, first published his self-titled comic strip in The Village Voice in 1956. Later syndicated, Feiffer went on to run for more than four decades. Originally broadcast in 1982. Terry Gross
Colson Whitehead shares the true story of abuse and injustice behind 'Nickel Boys' Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, now a feature film, is based on a notorious Florida reform school where boys were beaten and sexually abused. Originally broadcast July 16, 2019. Dave Davies
A woman invented the rape kit. So why was a man given credit for it? Rape kits were widely known as "Vitullo Kits" after a Chicago police sergeant. But a new book tells the story of Marty Goddard, a community activist who worked with runaway teenagers in the 1970s. Tonya Mosley