Books

This Australian writer might be the greatest novelist you've never heard of

John Powers

Helen Garner, 80, embraces the many-sidedness of life. Her books crackle with curiosity and unpredictability — they win big prizes, kickstart controversies and say things other people rarely dare.
It's the 10th year of the Kirkus Prize. Meet the winners of a top literary award

Neda Ulaby

The Kirkus Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the U.S. This year's winners are Ariel Aberg-Riger, Héctor Tobar and James McBride.
3 witchy books for fall that offer fright and delight

Caitlyn Paxson

Whether the witches are good, misunderstood, or just plain wicked — some fun fall fantasy reading options include The Witches of Bone Hill, Night of the Witch, and After the Forest.
In Jhumpa Lahiri's 'Roman Stories,' many characters are caught between two worlds

Heller McAlpin

In her return to short stories, the Interpreter of Maladies author returns to fiction that powerfully conveys her characters' efforts to navigate geography and culture to find a place in the world.
Education

'This Book Is Banned' introduces little kids to a big topic

Elizabeth Blair

In Raj Haldar's new picture book, a lot of random stuff gets banned: giraffes, avocados, old roller skates. Haldar hopes kids have fun with This Book Is Banned but also learn about censorship.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has one main guiding principle: 'Be Useful'

A Martínez

Reena Advani

Phil Harrell

Champion bodybuilder, Hollywood superstar, Governor of California — Arnold Schwarzenegger offers a few pieces of advice about living a successful life in his new book Be Useful.
Arts & Culture

Dave Eggers on the untethered, creative mind

Julia Dixon Evans

"The Eyes and the Impossible" is a new novel from author, editor and publisher Dave Eggers. It's told from the point of view of a wild "unkept" dog who lives in and monitors a park.
National

Adults have a lot to say about book bans — but what about kids?

Elizabeth Blair

We've heard from parents, authors, activists and other adults about banned books. But we haven't heard much from kids. We asked four young readers to share their thoughts about book bans.
For Alix E. Harrow, writing 'Starling House' meant telling a new story of Kentucky

Kalyani Saxena

Alix E. Harrow's Starling House depicts a dying, fictional coal town's horrors and dark past. Harrow joins a long tradition of authors writing Gothic fiction as a way to process the ills of society.
Poet Safiya Sinclair reflects on her Rastafari roots and how she cut herself free

Terry Gross

Sinclair grew up in a devout Rasta family in Jamaica where women were subservient. When she cut her dreadlocks at age 19, she became "a ghost" to her father. Her new memoir is How to Say Babylon.