Michael Pollan says AI may 'think' — but it will never be conscious "Consciousness is under siege," says author Michael Pollan. His new book, A World Appears, explores consciousness on both a personal and technological level. Terry Gross
Carla Hayden recommends books by Black authors from 2016 that resonate today We're continuing to celebrate Black History Month by looking back at 2016, a year that brought big moments in the culture. Juana Summers
A photojournalist details her rebellion against the Syrian regime -- and her father Loubna Mrie grew up in Syria, where her father was allegedly an assassin for the regime. She joined the Syrian revolution first as a protester and then as a photojournalist. Her memoir is Defiance. Aarti Shahani
'American Struggle' author assesses Trump's expansion of presidential power Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham talks about Trump's impact on democracy. Meacham's latest book is a collection of speeches, letters and other original texts from 1619 to the present. Dave Davies
Seattle Public Library intercepts Boston readers after Super Bowl bet The real winners of Super Bowl LX are the Boston readers who will now be exposed to some Seattle culture. Katie Campbell
Can't get enough 'Heated Rivalry'? This Seattle bookseller can help keep the romance alive From hockey hookups to Bigfoot bonds, love is in the air — and on the page. Katie Campbell
A daughter reexamines her own family story in 'The Mixed Marriage Project' Dorothy Roberts' parents, a white anthropologist and a Black woman from Jamaica, spent years interviewing interracial couples in Chicago. Her memoir draws from their records. Tonya Mosley
'Dizzy' author recounts a decade of being marooned by chronic illness Rachel Weaver worked for the Forest Service in Alaska where she scaled towering trees to study nature. But in 2006, she woke up and felt like she was being spun in a hurricane. Her memoir is Dizzy. Maureen Corrigan
'End of Days' recalls the violent 1992 Ruby Ridge confrontation in Idaho Author Chris Jennings talks the apocalyptic religious views that fueled the standoff between federal agents and the family of Randy Weaver — and the use of force rules that made it so deadly. Dave Davies
How Rupert Murdoch created a media empire -- and 'broke' his own family Journalist Gabriel Sherman has covered the Murdoch family for nearly two decades. In his new book, Bonfire of the Murdochs, he chronicles the protracted public battle for control the family business. Sam Fragoso
