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Book covers of: On the Calculation of Volume Book III, by Solvej Balle, translated by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell; The Pelican Child: Stories, by Joy Williams; Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times, by Tracy K. Smith; The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind, by Simon Winchester; Atlas of Borders: Walls, Migrations, and Conflict in 70 Maps, by Delphine Papin, Bruno Tertrais, and Xemartin Laborde

NPR

This week in books: Get stuck in a Nov. 18 time loop, and explore the world in 70 maps

by Colin Dwyer November 18, 2025November 18, 2025

This week brings new releases from Joy Williams, Simon Winchester and Tracy K. Smith, among other talented writers.

Book covers of: Some Bright Nowhere, by Ann Packer; The White Hot, by Quiara Alegria Hudes; The Silver Book, by Olivia Laing; Evensong, by Stewart O’Nan; The History of Money: A Story of Humanity, by David McWilliams

NPR

This week brings new books grappling with the endings of relationships and eras

by Colin Dwyer November 11, 2025November 11, 2025

As Armistice Day, or Veterans’ Day, marks the end of WWI and honors soldiers sacrifices, it seems fitting that a number of this week’s new titles tackle endings and new beginnings.

Book covers of: Queen Esther, by John Irving; Only Son, by Kevin Moffett; The Eleventh Hour: A Quintet of Stories, by Salman Rushdie; Cursed Daughters, by Oyinkan Braithwaite; Palaver, by Bryan Washington; The Land in Winter, by Andrew Miller

NPR

Some heavy hitters — John Irving and Salman Rushdie among them — have new books out

by Colin Dwyer November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

This week also brings a National Book Award finalist from Bryan Washington and a Booker finalist from Andrew Miller.

Book Covers of: Tom’s Crossing, by Mark Z. Danielewski; Wreck, by Catherine Newman; Sacrament, by Susan Straight; Dead and Alive: Essays, by Zadie Smith; The Uncool: A Memoir, by Cameron Crowe; A Dream Deferred, by Abby Philip

NPR

New this week: Zadie Smith essays, a Cameron Crowe memoir and a ‘Sandwich’ sequel

by Colin Dwyer October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

New titles include Dead and Alive from Smith, The Uncool by Crowe and Wreck by Catherine Newman. Plus, fresh fiction from Susan Straight and Mark Z. Danielewski and a biography of Jesse Jackson.

Book covers of: Looking for Tank Man, by Ha Jin; Bad Bad Girl, by Gish Jen; Big Kiss, Bye-Bye, by Claire Louise-Bennett; Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy, by Julia Ioffe; This Is the Only Kingdom, by Jaquira Díaz; The Rose Field: The Book of Dust, Volume 3, by Philip Pullman

NPR

New books this week dance between genres — and deserve your attention

by Colin Dwyer October 21, 2025October 21, 2025

New releases this week include a feminist history of modern Russia, and a candid portrait of Gish Jen’s relationship with her mother. Plus, new novels from Philip Pullman and Claire Louise-Bennett.

Book covers of: Joyride, by Susan Orlean; A Guardian and a Thief, by Megha Majumdar; The Once and Future Riot, by Joe Sacco; Minor Black Figures, by Brandon Taylor; The Wayfinder, by Adam Johnson; The Unveiling, by Quan Barry

NPR

This week brings a bumper harvest of brand new books

by Colin Dwyer October 14, 2025October 14, 2025

This week’s new titles include memoir, comics journalism and speculative fiction, horror and humor. Susan Orlean tells her own story in Joyride, and Pulitzer-winner Adam Johnson has a new novel.

book pages lined up 2 credit Becky Harlan NPR.jpg

NPR

Here are the finalists for the 2025 National Book Awards

by Anastasia Tsioulcas October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

This year’s short list features novelists Rabih Alameddine and Megha Majumdar as well as five first-time nominees for nonfiction, including journalists Omar El Akkad and Julia Ioffe.

Book covers of: Shadow Ticket, by Thomas Pynchon; Venetian Vespers, by John Banville; Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America, by Beth Macy; Girl Warrior: On Coming of Age, by Joy Harjo; Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance, by Ben Passmore

NPR

New books this week: Thomas Pynchon’s first novel in 12 years, and much more

by Colin Dwyer October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

In addition to Pynchon’s Shadow Ticket, this week’s releases include a new memoir from Dopesick author Beth Macy, and a coming-of-age story from former U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo.

Book covers of: Truly: A Memoir, by Lionel Ritchie; Midnight Timetable: A Novel in Ghost Stories, by Bora Chung and translated by Anton Hur; The Impossible Fortune: A Thursday Murder Club Novel by Richard Osman; The Hunger We Pass Down, by Jen Sookfong Lee; Somebody Is Walking on Your Grave, by Mariana Enriquez and translated by Megan McDowell; The History of the Peloponnesian War, by Thucydides — new translation by Robin Waterfield

NPR

New books this week: War, murder, and Lionel Richie

by Colin Dwyer September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

This week’s notable book releases promise a veritable potpourri of death — and a celebration of life from one of America’s most ubiquitous singers.

Book covers of The Book of Guilt, by Catherine Chidgey; Dealing with the Dead: A Novel, by Alain Mabanckou; Good and Evil and Other Stories, by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell; Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine by Hussein Agha and Robert Malley; We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution, by Jill Lepore; The Wilderness: A Novel by Angela Flournoy

NPR

New books this week: The case for the Constitution, and a celebration of chosen family

by Colin Dwyer September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Jill Lepore writes about the strength and stability of America’s founding document — and its capacity for change. And Angela Flournoy tracks the friendship of five young Black women over 20 years.