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August 17, 2011 Couldn't afford that scuba trip in Indonesia? Didn't have time to hike the Grand Canyon? Fortunately, for those who couldn't quite make it out of town this summer, there's an alternative route for exploration. And all you need is a couch, a cold drink and these three books.

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August 16, 2011 Dealing with rude, angry people is not fun. But when fictional, these unpleasant personalities can actually be quite charming. Author Ben Dolnick recommends three books and three central characters that'll have you flipping the page faster than you'd flip them the bird.

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August 15, 2011 Summer is ending. The heat waves are starting to break, and we're trying to soak up as much relaxation as possible after a scorching season. Pour yourself a drink and sink back into your favorite chair with three nostalgic tales as recommended by author Dean Bakopoulos.

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August 11, 2011 Fairy tales — those stories of princes and princesses, spells and magic — have sparked kids' imaginations for centuries. But author John Baxter suggests a very different kind of fiction to get young synapses firing: He recommends three tales filled with creepy characters you're sure to love.

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August 10, 2011 It's an interesting phenomenon in this age of celebrity break-ups: the jilted political wife standing steadfastly by her man. From Hillary to Silda, loyalty has made a comeback. NPR producer Bridget Bentz Sizer has noticed the trend, and she recommends three books on the subject.

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August 1, 2011 What is it about the human spirit? Even in the most emotionally and physically trying times, somehow, it is able to remain victorious. Author Susan Choi recommends three tales of struggle and, ultimately, of those who achieve great feats in the face of adversity.

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July 25, 2011 Moviegoers' fascination with superheroes may be dying down, but author Mat Johnson knows that caped crusaders are alive and well in the medium that started it all. These three books will be kryptonite to your comic book woes.

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July 14, 2011 Today France celebrates Bastille Day, commemorating one of the best-known events of the 1789 Revolution. Author Penelope Rowlands gives those unfamiliar with the French Revolution a reality check with these three accounts that give new meaning to the term c'est la vie.

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July 13, 2011 This Friday the credits will roll on the phenomenon that is Harry Potter. As fans prepare to graduate from the series of books and movies, they're left to wonder what the future will hold. NPR intern Annie Ropeik prepared her postgrad reading list with three books for the mature Harry Potter fan.

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June 14, 2011 As Father's Day approaches, writer Jim Axelrod turns to literature to probe the relationship between fathers and sons — and make sense of his own. His three selections portray fathers and sons at their best, and at their heartbreaking worst.

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June 3, 2011 Everyone from forgotten pop stars to clueless heiresses have written memoirs, leaving the genre just a paper cut shy of unbearable. But, fear not! Writer and editor Radhika Jones has three personal accounts sure slap a bandage on that wound and jog your memoir-loving memory.

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May 30, 2011 Short story month is just about over, but take heed: if diving into the latest bestseller seems too daunting, the short story could be the form of fiction for you. Atlantic writer and producer Miriam Krule suggests three collections that are complex and nuanced despite their brevity — and perfect for your morning commute.

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May 25, 2011 From posh princesses to tough teens, the ladies of literary history are getting a makeover. Author Malinda Lo shares these empowering tales of sacrifice, hope and determination from three famous female characters.

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May 23, 2011 Dive into the creepy-crawly side of literature with author Goldie Goldbloom's recommendations of chilling and disturbed lit. She suggests three gruesomely enchanting books that feature freakish oddities, bizarre love and talking corpses.

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May 19, 2011 Running, that most punishing and solitary of sports — seems to have one of the most devoted followings. Author Liz Colville recommends three new books that are joining the canon of long-distance running tomes, each with a unique perspective on what all those miles can do to for an athlete.

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