What people miss in the conversation about banned books

Guest host Ayesha Rascoe is joined by NPR senior editor Barrie Hardymon and Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, to talk about banned books. They talk about why it's important for kids to discover books freely, even if that means starting a hard conversation with them. They also discuss their favorite — and least favorite — books that often show up on banned book lists.

NPR

from It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders

Society & Culture

Omicron's Arrival Is 'Wake-Up Call' That The Pandemic Is Ongoing

The coronavirus is still circulating and mutating — case in point, the World Health Organization has designated a new variant of concern, called omicron. The variant appears to have some characteristics that may make it more transmissible than others, but much about it is still unknown. NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey talks with Emily Kwong about how researchers and public health experts are racing to learn all they can about it — including how transmissible it actually is and how it responds to current vaccines. They also talk travel bans, a weak tool in preventing viral spread that may even penalize information sharing.

NPR

from Short Wave

Science

Caught in pandemic limbo? Here's how to rebound from life's interruptions

Writer Suleika Jaouad has made a career out of covering folks living in the 'in between' spaces — starting with herself. Diagnosed with leukemia at 22, she embraced writing as a way to regain narrative control of her life. She shares lessons on making peace with uncertainty and transforming isolation into creative solitude.

NPR

from Life Kit

Health & Fitness

Transgender Troops On Protecting Their Right To Serve

On January 25, President Biden reversed the Trump administration's ban on transgender people serving in the military.But the door remains open for future administrations to reinstate it.

NPR

from 1A

News