Mahmood Mamdani on how Uganda's history shaped his belonging — and his son's moment NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Professor Mahmood Mamdani about his new book, "Slow Poison." The book is a firsthand report on the tragic unraveling of Uganda's struggle for independence. Leila Fadel
Zadie Smith's heads up to young people: 'You are absolutely going to become old' Smith was 25 in 2000 when she published her critically acclaimed first novel. Now 50, her latest collection of essays, Dead and Alive, reflects on middle age, climate change and generational gaps. Terry Gross
New biography shows how Octavia Butler deserved better early in her career The KUOW Book Club is reading "Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler" by Susana M. Morris this month. I'm your reading guide Katie Campbell. Let's get into the first half of the book and Octavia Butler's early career. Katie Campbell
Books We Love: NPR staff's top non-fiction picks of the year NPR staff share recommendations for non-fiction reading from our Books We Love list: "The War of Art," "Shattered Lands," "Toni at Random" and "Patchwork." Melissa Gray
Was Michael Jordan NBA's GOAT? Phil Jackson reflects on the 'Masters of the Game' Legendary NBA head coach Phil Jackson and sports writer Sam Smith talk about the stars who helped define the sport, including Jordan, Kobe, Shaq and "bad boy" Dennis Rodman. Tonya Mosley
Ditch the gift cards and gimmicks. These Seattle readers say books are the best gifts this holiday season Seattleites are readers, and if you have one on your holiday shopping list, this is what other Seattle readers recommend. Brandi Fullwood
Can the lessons of 1929 help us avert another economic crisis? New York Times financial columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin draws parallels between the stock market crash of 1929, which led to the Great Depression, and today's economic uncertainty. Dave Davies
Author Sophie Kinsella, who penned the 'Shopaholic' books, has died at 55 The author, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Wickham, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in late 2022. Neda Ulaby
'Placeless' author traces the roots and realities of mass homelessness in America Patrick Markee spent two decades walking through New York City's tunnels, armories and intake centers. His book asks: what if homelessness isn't a personal failing, but the result of policy choices? Tonya Mosley
Maureen Corrigan's 10 favorite books of 2025 — with plenty for nonfiction lovers Fresh Air's book critic says her picks tilt a bit to nonfiction, but the novels that made the cut redress the imbalance by their sweep and intensity. Karen Russell's The Antidote was her favorite. Maureen Corrigan
