Books

Karen Russell's 'The Antidote' is an American epic — and well worth the wait

Maureen Corrigan

Russell has published excellent short story collections since her 2011 debut novel Swamplandia!, but this is her first novel in nearly 15 years. It follows a "Prairie Witch" in Dust Bowl-era Nebraska.
'Everyday, ordinary' things drive Nobel Prize-winning author's new novel 'Theft'

Andrew Limbong

Following his multi-generational, statement-making novel Afterlives, Abdulrazak Gurnah's new book Theft is a quieter, more intimate look at friendship and power.
New books this week: 'Hunger Games' is back, and young people navigate a new Tanzania

Colin Dwyer

This week brings a number of promising new reads — but none more eagerly awaited than Sunrise on the Reaping. We offer 5 books to consider picking up.
New 'Hunger Games' prequel asks: How well do we really know our history?

Dhanika Pineda

Sunrise on the Reaping recounts the 50th annual Hunger Games, telling the story of Haymitch Abernathy. It's themes and events conjure images of today's U.S. political climate.
At 83, Martha Stewart celebrates gardening with her 101st book

Claire Murashima

Martha Stewart talks gardening, wanting to be "one of the girls" and her 101st book with NPR Morning Edition host Michel Martin.
'The Buffalo Hunter Hunter' is Stephen Graham Jones' horror masterpiece

Gabino Iglesias

The prose is gorgeous and the plot is complex. The author of The Only Good Indians returns again with a spellbinding yarn about one of the bloodiest, most significant parts of the nation's history.
New books this week: A foodie memoir, a missing child, witches illustrated, and more

Colin Dwyer

Care and Feeding chronicles life in the culinary world. All the Other Mothers Hate Me follows a mom turned amateur detective. Plus, Karen Russell's first full-length novel since Swamplandia!
From pointy hats to murder of innocents, 'The Story of Witches' revives the past

Gabino Iglesias

Willow Winsham's new book on witches, past and present, offers a fun, fast, well researched historical summary that is also a stunning work of art.
Before the internet, how the LA Public Library helped readers pick their next novel

Clare Marie Schneider

The Los Angeles Public Library stores thousands of index cards with staff reviews of books dating back to the 1920s. A librarian explains how they were used and what we can learn from them today.
Zadie Smith is learning to accept the limits of time

Rachel Martin

Author Zadie Smith says she'll miss being young. In this week's Wild Card, Smith opens up about having enough time and growing older.