Fresh Air
Book Recommendations

Fresh Air

Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries. Subscribe to Fresh Air Plus! You'll enjoy...

Episodes 879
Books 1,286
Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation Cover

Erika Krouse

Tell Me Everything

The Story of a Private Investigation

The novel brings together Lucy Barton, Bob Burgess, and Olive Kitteridge in Maine, delivering Strout's trademark melancholy.

"

Tell Me Everything reunites readers with writer Lucy Barton, lawyer Bob Burgess, and retired teacher Olive Kitteridge, all living in Maine. Nobody nails the soft melancholy of the hum...

— Episode: Actor Danielle Deadwyler 'Overprepared'...

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Episode: Actor Danielle Deadwyler 'Overprepared' For 'The P...

The novel brings together Lucy Barton, Bob Burgess, and Olive Kitteridge in Maine, delivering Strout's trademark melancholy.

"

Tell Me Everything reunites readers with writer Lucy Barton, lawyer Bob Burgess, and retired teacher Olive Kitteridge, all living in Maine. Nobody nails the soft melancholy of the human condition like Strout.

Nine Perfect Strangers Cover

Liane Moriarty

Nine Perfect Strangers

The title was mentioned as another novel that the TV writer had adapted for the screen.

"

He was busy writing for television ... Creating acclaimed TV adaptations of such novels as Big Little Lies. Mr. Mercedes and Nine Perfect Strangers.

— Episode: How Formerly Enslaved People Were Stripp...

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Episode: How Formerly Enslaved People Were Stripped Of Land

The title was mentioned as another novel that the TV writer had adapted for the screen.

"

He was busy writing for television ... Creating acclaimed TV adaptations of such novels as Big Little Lies. Mr. Mercedes and Nine Perfect Strangers.

The Princess Diarist Cover

Carrie Fisher

The Princess Diarist

The memoir was described as containing diary excerpts from filming Star Wars and was referenced as the source of the interview material.

"

The memoir is called The Princess Diarist.

— Episode: Film Icons: Steven Spielberg / Carrie Fi...

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Episode: Film Icons: Steven Spielberg / Carrie Fisher

The memoir was described as containing diary excerpts from filming Star Wars and was referenced as the source of the interview material.

"

The memoir is called The Princess Diarist.

And that excerpts of that journal are included in her new memoir, The Princess Diarist.

The Hours: A Novel (Picador Modern Classics, 1) Cover

Michael Cunningham

The Hours

A Novel (Picador Modern Classics, 1)

The novel was referenced as the source of a scene in a film adaptation where Virginia Woolf discusses the book that would become Mrs. Dalloway.

"

There's a scene in the movie adaptation of Michael Cunningham's novel The Hours when Virginia Woolf is talking to her husband Leonard about the book that would become Mrs. Dalloway.

— Episode: How The War Between Israel And Hamas Is...

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Episode: How The War Between Israel And Hamas Is Widening

The novel was referenced as the source of a scene in a film adaptation where Virginia Woolf discusses the book that would become Mrs. Dalloway.

"

There's a scene in the movie adaptation of Michael Cunningham's novel The Hours when Virginia Woolf is talking to her husband Leonard about the book that would become Mrs. Dalloway.

Triple Cross: The Greatest Alex Cross Thriller Since Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross, 28) Cover

James Patterson

Triple Cross

The Greatest Alex Cross Thriller Since Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross, 28)

The guest announced that James Patterson, who has sold over 400million copies, is the next Fresh Air guest and highlighted his Alex Cross detective series among his bestselling works.

"

Tomorrow on Fresh Air, my guest will be writer James Patterson, who has sold more than 400 million copies of his books. That includes the Alex Cross Detective Series, The Women's Murder Club and Maxim...

— Episode: Questlove On Sly Stone And The Burden Of...

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Episode: Questlove On Sly Stone And The Burden Of Black Gen...

The guest announced that James Patterson, who has sold over 400million copies, is the next Fresh Air guest and highlighted his Alex Cross detective series among his bestselling works.

"

Tomorrow on Fresh Air, my guest will be writer James Patterson, who has sold more than 400 million copies of his books. That includes the Alex Cross Detective Series, The Women's Murder Club and Maximum Ride.

Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter Cover

Kate Conger

Character Limit

How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter

The segment mentioned the book as a new release, indicating its focus on Elon Musk's impact on Twitter.

"

or with the authors of the new book Character Limit, How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter.

— Episode: Gearing Up For A Post-Election Legal Fig...

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Episode: Gearing Up For A Post-Election Legal Fight

The segment mentioned the book as a new release, indicating its focus on Elon Musk's impact on Twitter.

"

or with the authors of the new book Character Limit, How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter.

The Pursuit of Love (Folio Society) Cover

Nancy Mitford

The Pursuit of Love (Folio Society)

The novel was mentioned as one of Nancy Mitford's works that was adapted into a 2021 video miniseries.

"

One book, The Pursuit of Love, was made into a prime video miniseries in 2021, providing fine roles for Lily James, Dominic West, and Andrew Scott.

— Episode: Stacey Abrams On American Autocracy & He...

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Episode: Stacey Abrams On American Autocracy & Her New Chap...

The novel was mentioned as one of Nancy Mitford's works that was adapted into a 2021 video miniseries.

"

One book, The Pursuit of Love, was made into a prime video miniseries in 2021, providing fine roles for Lily James, Dominic West, and Andrew Scott.

The English Patient Cover

Michael Ondaatje

The English Patient

The novel was cited when the host noted that director Anthony Minghella had won many Oscars for his film adaptation of the book.

"

he had just won a whole bunch of Oscars for his film The English Patient

— Episode: Jude Law

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Episode: Jude Law

The novel was cited when the host noted that director Anthony Minghella had won many Oscars for his film adaptation of the book.

"

he had just won a whole bunch of Oscars for his film The English Patient

Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local - and Helped Save an American Town Cover

Beth Macy

Factory Man

How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local - and Helped Save an American Town

Macy referenced the title while explaining that many of the people she interviewed for that book had similar experiences to her mother's work in a factory.

"

All the things that the folks that I later interviewed for books like Factory Man were doing.

— Episode: 'Dopesick' Writer Returns To Her 'Fractu...

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Episode: 'Dopesick' Writer Returns To Her 'Fractured' Homet...

Macy referenced the title while explaining that many of the people she interviewed for that book had similar experiences to her mother's work in a factory.

"

All the things that the folks that I later interviewed for books like Factory Man were doing.

Requiem for a Dream Cover

Hubert Selby Jr.

Requiem for a Dream

The book was referenced when the host mentioned having only vague memories of a scene from the novel.

"

I have only vague memories of Jared Leto's gangrenous arm from Requiem for a Dream.

— Episode: Noah Wyle, Star Of 'The Pitt'

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Episode: Noah Wyle, Star Of 'The Pitt'

The book was referenced when the host mentioned having only vague memories of a scene from the novel.

"

I have only vague memories of Jared Leto's gangrenous arm from Requiem for a Dream.

Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism (California Studies in Food and Culture, 5) Cover

Marion Nestle

Safe Food

Bacteria, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism (California Studies in Food and Culture, 5)

It was listed among Nestle's fifteen books, implying it covered foodsafety topics.

"

Nessel is the author of 15 books, including Safe Food, The Politics of Food Safety, and Soda Politics.

— Episode: Nutrition, SNAP & Why We Need A Food Rev...

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Episode: Nutrition, SNAP & Why We Need A Food Revolution

It was listed among Nestle's fifteen books, implying it covered foodsafety topics.

"

Nessel is the author of 15 books, including Safe Food, The Politics of Food Safety, and Soda Politics.

The Crucible Cover

Arthur Miller

The Crucible

Strong recalled hearing that Miller's The Crucible was slated to be filmed in Massachusetts while discussing his preparation for roles.

"

I think I learned ... about Shakespeare and, ... The Crucible was going to be filmed in Massachusetts.

— Episode: Jeremy Strong Sees Acting As An Escape F...

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Episode: Jeremy Strong Sees Acting As An Escape From Self

Strong recalled hearing that Miller's The Crucible was slated to be filmed in Massachusetts while discussing his preparation for roles.

"

I think I learned ... about Shakespeare and, ... The Crucible was going to be filmed in Massachusetts.

Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey Cover

Jane Goodall

Reason for Hope

A Spiritual Journey

The book was highlighted as the recent publication marking Goodall's 1999 interview, reflecting on her years in the wild.

"

Terry spoke with Goodall in 1999 upon publication of her book Reason for Hope about her years in the wild.

— Episode: Jane Goodall

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Episode: Jane Goodall

The book was highlighted as the recent publication marking Goodall's 1999 interview, reflecting on her years in the wild.

"

Terry spoke with Goodall in 1999 upon publication of her book Reason for Hope about her years in the wild.

Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry Cover

Imani Perry

Looking for Lorraine

The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry

The host mentioned that Perry is the author of "Looking for Lorraine," a biography of playwright Lorraine Hansberry, indicating another of her published works.

"

including Looking for Lorraine, which is a biography of the playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and Breathe, A Letter to My Sons.

— Episode: Best Of: 50 Years Of SNL Musical Guests...

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Episode: Best Of: 50 Years Of SNL Musical Guests / Black Hi...

The host mentioned that Perry is the author of "Looking for Lorraine," a biography of playwright Lorraine Hansberry, indicating another of her published works.

"

including Looking for Lorraine, which is a biography of the playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and Breathe, A Letter to My Sons.

May We Forever Stand: A History of the Black National Anthem (The John Hope Franklin Series in African American History and Culture) Cover

Imani Perry

May We Forever Stand

A History of the Black National Anthem (The John Hope Franklin Series in African American History and Culture)

The speaker noted that they had written a book titled May We Forever Stand, referencing it while discussing the legacy of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

"

I'm thinking about, you know, ... 125 years since the writing of Lift Every Voice and Sing, which I wrote a book about called May We Forever Stand.

— Episode: What The Color Blue Tells About Black Hi...

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Episode: What The Color Blue Tells About Black History

The speaker noted that they had written a book titled May We Forever Stand, referencing it while discussing the legacy of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

"

I'm thinking about, you know, ... 125 years since the writing of Lift Every Voice and Sing, which I wrote a book about called May We Forever Stand.

Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country Cover

Adam Kinzinger

Renegade

Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country

Kinzinger's memoir recounted his inside view of the GOP's shift toward extremism and his experience on the Jan.6 committee, describing how his party and faith were hijacked by radical forces.

"

He's written a new memoir called Renegade that includes what he describes as the inside story of how his party and his faith have been hijacked by extremists who represent a real dang...

— Episode: Rep. Adam Kinzinger On The GOP & The Jan...

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Episode: Rep. Adam Kinzinger On The GOP & The Jan. 6th Comm...

Kinzinger's memoir recounted his inside view of the GOP's shift toward extremism and his experience on the Jan.6 committee, describing how his party and faith were hijacked by radical forces.

"

He's written a new memoir called Renegade that includes what he describes as the inside story of how his party and his faith have been hijacked by extremists who represent a real danger to our democracy.

His new memoir is called Renegade will be right back.

His new memoir is called Renegade.

His new memoir is called Renegade, defending democracy and liberty in our divided country.

Adam Kinzinger's new book is called Renegade.

Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself Cover

Crystal Hefner

Only Say Good Things

Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself

Nosrat's new cookbook, Good Things, Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love, was said to have emerged after many revisions and to focus on recipes and rituals for sharing meals with loved ones.

"

Still, she was trying to write a new book, one that went through many versions and finally ended up as this one, Good Things, Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love.

— Episode: Samin Nosrat Is Embracing 'Good Things'

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Episode: Samin Nosrat Is Embracing 'Good Things'

Nosrat's new cookbook, Good Things, Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love, was said to have emerged after many revisions and to focus on recipes and rituals for sharing meals with loved ones.

"

Still, she was trying to write a new book, one that went through many versions and finally ended up as this one, Good Things, Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love.

Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair Cover

Christian Wiman

Zero at the Bone

Fifty Entries Against Despair

The book was described as part memoir and part anthology of poems, gathering fifty entries that confront despair.

"

His new book is called Zero at the Bone, 50 Entries Against Despair. It's part memoir and part a collection of his poems and poems by others related to the book's themes.

— Episode: Facing Death, A Poet Searches For Meanin...

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Episode: Facing Death, A Poet Searches For Meaning

The book was described as part memoir and part anthology of poems, gathering fifty entries that confront despair.

"

His new book is called Zero at the Bone, 50 Entries Against Despair. It's part memoir and part a collection of his poems and poems by others related to the book's themes.

His new book is called Zero at the Bone 50 entries against despair we'll talk more about faith illness and poetry after a short break.

He's a poet essayist and memoirist his new book Zero at the Bone is part memoir part a collection of poems by Wyman and others relating to the themes of faith illness suffering and the search for meaning.

Your memoirs My Bright Abyss and the new one Zero at the Bone you have a lot of poems by you and by others.

His new book is called Zero at the Bone 50 entries against despair he teaches at Yale Divinity School and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.

All the Sinners Bleed: A Novel Cover

S. A. Cosby

All the Sinners Bleed

A Novel

The new Southern crime novel by S.A.Cosby was mentioned among other recent releases.

"

S.A. Cosby, whose new book All the Sinners Bleed is a Southern crime novel, check out our podcast.

— Episode: Hubert Humphrey's Fight For Civil Rights

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Episode: Hubert Humphrey's Fight For Civil Rights

The new Southern crime novel by S.A.Cosby was mentioned among other recent releases.

"

S.A. Cosby, whose new book All the Sinners Bleed is a Southern crime novel, check out our podcast.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir Cover

Ina Garten

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

A Memoir

The memoir was described as Ina Garten's new personal narrative about her childhood and career, which the host and guest discussed during the interview.

"

Her new memoir is titled, Be Ready When the Luck Happens.

— Episode: Ina Garten's Biggest Hosting Fail

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Episode: Ina Garten's Biggest Hosting Fail

The memoir was described as Ina Garten's new personal narrative about her childhood and career, which the host and guest discussed during the interview.

"

Her new memoir is titled, Be Ready When the Luck Happens.

She's written a new memoir titled Be Ready When the Luck Happens.

We're talking about her new memoir titled Be Ready When the Luck Happens.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.