Gabino Iglesias : NPR

'The Porpoise' Is A Rich — But Wandering — Read

Doubleday

Review

'The Porpoise' Is A Rich — But Wandering — Read

June 19, 2019 • Mark Haddon's new novel uses Shakespeare's Pericles and its founding myth of the villainous king Antiochus to explore aberrant family relationships, loss, depression, judgment and cowardice.

'The Shanghai Free Taxi' Delves Deep Into China's Troubles

A night view of downtown Shanghai. Yongyuan Dai/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Yongyuan Dai/Getty Images

Review

'The Shanghai Free Taxi' Delves Deep Into China's Troubles

June 16, 2019 • NPR's Frank Langfitt wanted to get to know the real China, so he started a free taxi service in an effort to have conversations with a variety of people. His new book is the result of this reporting.

New William S. Burroughs Book Sheds Light On The Literary Legend's Influence On Music

American writer William S. Burroughs poses during a portrait session at Bourges Railway Station on April 24, 1984 in Bourges, France. Ulf Andersen/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Ulf Andersen/Getty Images

Review

New William S. Burroughs Book Sheds Light On The Literary Legend's Influence On Music

June 12, 2019 • Relying on a wealth of research and documents, Casey Rae deftly maps out how one of America's most controversial literary figures transformed the lives of many notable rock musicians.

'Unraveling' Sings A Cohesive, Unsettling Song

Coffee House Press

Review

'Unraveling' Sings A Cohesive, Unsettling Song

June 12, 2019 • Brian Evenson's new collection brings together stories that have appeared in literary fiction, speculative fiction and horror publications — and yet they flow together into a disturbing whole.

'A Thousand Small Sanities' Is A Lesson In Understanding Liberalism

A Thousand Small Sanities: The Moral Adventure of Liberalism, by Adam Gopnik nick73/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

nick73/Getty Images

Review

'A Thousand Small Sanities' Is A Lesson In Understanding Liberalism

May 15, 2019 • By showing the impact it's had in the past, Adam Gopnik presents liberalism not only as a moral adventure but also as a necessity in an age of resurging autocracy and rampant bigotry.

'Nothing's Bad Luck' Zeroes In On The Life And Lasting Work Of Warren Zevon

Warren Zevon in concert circa 1978 in New York City. Images Press/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Images Press/Getty Images

Review

'Nothing's Bad Luck' Zeroes In On The Life And Lasting Work Of Warren Zevon

May 14, 2019 • C.M. Kushins has delivered a nuanced, in-depth, loving look at the complicated singer/songwriter, one that helps cement him as one of the most complex and captivating music figures of our times.

'Becoming Dr. Seuss' Reveals Theodor Geisel As A Complicated Icon

Theodor Geisel — Dr. Seuss --holds a toy of the Cat in the Hat, one of his most famous character creations. Bettmann Archive hide caption

toggle caption

Bettmann Archive

Review

'Becoming Dr. Seuss' Reveals Theodor Geisel As A Complicated Icon

May 7, 2019 • Using personal papers, telegrams, biographies, unpublished interviews and letters, author Brian Jay Jones gives readers a comprehensive view of the complex, multifaceted creator who became a giant.

For 'Juliet The Maniac,' Healing Had To Come From Within

Petra Mayer/NPR

Review

For 'Juliet The Maniac,' Healing Had To Come From Within

May 1, 2019 • Juliet Escoria's autobiographical novel is a heartfelt, raw story about surviving mental illness and learning to cope with inner demons. It's not a comfortable read — but it is a powerful one.

'What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker' Is A Powerful Look At One Black Man's Life

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker, by Damon Young Ecco hide caption

toggle caption

Ecco

Review

'What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker' Is A Powerful Look At One Black Man's Life

March 26, 2019 • Writer, critic and humorist Damon Young chronicles his efforts to endure the battles that come with being black; the beauty of his book is that he never tries to make it comfortable for his audience.

'The Lost Gutenberg' Traces One Bible's 500-Year Journey

An illustration depicting Johannes Gutenberg taking the first proof off his printing press. Bettmann Archive hide caption

toggle caption

Bettmann Archive

Review

'The Lost Gutenberg' Traces One Bible's 500-Year Journey

March 20, 2019 • The depth of Margaret Leslie Davis' research on the tome's history cannot be understated — her writing is straightforward and, at times, heartbreaking, but outstanding reporting lies at the core.

'An American Summer' Presents The Human Side Of Gun Violence In Chicago

An American Summer: Love And Death In Chicago, by Alex Kotlowitz NPR hide caption

toggle caption

NPR

Review

'An American Summer' Presents The Human Side Of Gun Violence In Chicago

March 8, 2019 • Alex Kotlowitz's new book amplifies the words of those who have witnessed tragedy and makes their experiences available to readers — a chronicle that is painful but also necessary.

In 'Solitary,' Determination And Humanity Win Over Injustice

Albert Woodfox, who was in solitary confinement at the Louisiana State Penitentiary for more than 40 years, is seen here at a press conference on Nov. 15, 2016 in Paris. Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images