Books

NPR staffers pick their favorite fiction reads of 2025 so far

Meghan Collins Sullivan

Beth Novey

After long days focused on the facts, our newsroom reads a lot of fiction at home. We asked our NPR colleagues what they've enjoyed reading so far this year. Here's what they told us.
6 new books out this week, including true stories of trailblazers

Colin Dwyer

For many working adults, the summer can often feel the same as the rest of the year. So, maybe our idea of a "summer read" should encompass a wider swath of books? Here are a few out this week.
Arts & Culture

From fanboys to power players: 2 local creators and the stories that shaped them

Beth Accomando

We're revisiting this 2024 feature on San Diego comics creators Chris Ryall and Scott Dunbier as Comic-Con season returns.
Health

From the pandemic to porn, here's how norms around sex are shifting for Gen Z

Tonya Mosley

Journalist Carter Sherman says that members of Gen Z are having less sex than previous generations — due in part to the political and social climate. Her new book is The Second Coming.
'Endling' is a shape-shifting debut that takes on heavy themes with humor

John Powers

Maria Reva's virtuosic novel starts out as a straightforward story about a Ukrainian biologist, but morphs into a comic take on war, the mail-order bride business and the plight of snails.
Economy

What separates the ultrarich from the just-plain-rich? The gigayacht.

Frank Langfitt

A new collection of essays by New Yorker writer Evan Osnos, The Haves and Have-Yachts, provides rich research and material for the conversation about extreme wealth in America today.
Pastor's book 'Queer & Christian' is about more than LGBTQ acceptance

Jason DeRose

In the new book Queer & Christian, author and pastor Brandan Robertson makes the case for reclaiming the bible, faith and the church for LGBTQ+ people.
'This is American history': 'Caste' author Isabel Wilkerson on the meaning of Juneteenth

Julie Depenbrock

Journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson reflects on this year's Juneteenth celebrations — and the push and pull of the Black experience in America.
Arts & Culture

San Diego weekend arts events: 'Constellations,' Juneteenth DJ set and Mozart

Julia Dixon Evans

This weekend in the arts in San Diego: Mirae kh RHEE's immersive MOPA exhibit; a Juneteenth music, art and film event at Oolong Gallery; "XICANA! San Diego"; Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival; Make Music Day; "A Streetcar Named Desire"; writer Lizz Huerta; Bro-Am Fest and more arts and live music picks.
Looking for summertime suspense? Turn up the heat with these 4 mystery novels

Maureen Corrigan

Maureen Corrigan recommends four great reads: El Dorado Drive, by Megan Abbott; The House on Buzzards Bay, by Dwyer Murphy; King of Ashes, by S.A. Cosby; and Murder Takes a Vacation, by Laura Lippman.