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
Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words Cover

Michael Owen

Ira Gershwin

A Life in Words

The book was mentioned as a biography of lyricist Ira Gershwin that would be discussed on an upcoming FreshAir episode.

"

On tomorrow's show, Ira Gershwin wrote a book on Netflix.

— Episode: The Washington Family Brings 'The Piano...

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Episode: The Washington Family Brings 'The Piano Lesson' To...

The book was mentioned as a biography of lyricist Ira Gershwin that would be discussed on an upcoming FreshAir episode.

"

On tomorrow's show, Ira Gershwin wrote a book on Netflix.

We'll talk with Michael Owen, author of Ira Gershwin, A Life in Words.

Hollow (Book 1 in the Crown of Hearts & Chaos series) Cover

Caroline Peckham

Hollow (Book 1 in the Crown of Hearts & Chaos series)

The memoir was described as a vivid, often brutal account of the author's experience as a woman in the Marine Corps and her struggle with an eating disorder.

"

And her book is called Hollow, A Memoir of My Body in the Marines.

— Episode: A Marine's Portrait Of Her Body At Extre...

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Episode: A Marine's Portrait Of Her Body At Extremes

The memoir was described as a vivid, often brutal account of the author's experience as a woman in the Marine Corps and her struggle with an eating disorder.

"

And her book is called Hollow, A Memoir of My Body in the Marines.

My guest today is Bailey Williams, a Marine Corps veteran and the author of the new book, Hollow.

Today I'm talking to Bailey Williams about her new book, Hollow, a memoir of my body in the Marines.

Bailey Williams' book is Hollow, a memoir of my body in the Marines.

Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia Cover

Marya Hornbacher

Wasted

A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia

The book was referenced as the source of a powerful quote about women, thinness, and cultural expectations.

"

She's the writer of the book Wasted.

— Episode: A Marine's Portrait Of Her Body At Extre...

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Episode: A Marine's Portrait Of Her Body At Extremes

The book was referenced as the source of a powerful quote about women, thinness, and cultural expectations.

"

She's the writer of the book Wasted.

Charlie Chaplin vs. America: When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided Cover

Scott Eyman

Charlie Chaplin vs. America

When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided

The book explored Chaplin's controversial personal life, political entanglements, and exile, and it was released in both paperback and hardback editions.

"

Charlie Chaplin vs. America, When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided. It's now out in paperback.

— Episode: The Exile Of Charlie Chaplin

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Episode: The Exile Of Charlie Chaplin

The book explored Chaplin's controversial personal life, political entanglements, and exile, and it was released in both paperback and hardback editions.

"

Charlie Chaplin vs. America, When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided. It's now out in paperback.

Cary spoke to him last fall when his book, Charlie Chaplin vs. America, was published in hardback.

Iman's book, Charlie Chaplin vs. America, When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided, is now out in paperback.

His book, Charlie Chaplin vs. America, When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided, is now out in paperback.

Charlie Chaplin vs. America, When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided, is now out in paperback.

Hollow (Book 1 in the Crown of Hearts & Chaos series) Cover

Caroline Peckham

Hollow (Book 1 in the Crown of Hearts & Chaos series)

The memoir recounted the author's experiences and challenges while serving in the Marine Corps, and it was introduced as a new publication.

"

Her book is Hollow, a memoir of my body in the Marines.

— Episode: The Exile Of Charlie Chaplin

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Exile Of Charlie Chaplin

The memoir recounted the author's experiences and challenges while serving in the Marine Corps, and it was introduced as a new publication.

"

Her book is Hollow, a memoir of my body in the Marines.

Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and THE WASHINGTON POST Cover

Martin Baron

Collision of Power

Trump, Bezos, and THE WASHINGTON POST

Marty Baron noted that his memoir titled Collision of Power, covering Trump, Bezos, and the Washington Post, had recently been released in paperback.

"

His memoir, Collision of Power, Trump, Bezos, and the Washington Post, was recently published in paperback.

— Episode: Trump, Journalism & The Rough Road Ahead

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Episode: Trump, Journalism & The Rough Road Ahead

Marty Baron noted that his memoir titled Collision of Power, covering Trump, Bezos, and the Washington Post, had recently been released in paperback.

"

His memoir, Collision of Power, Trump, Bezos, and the Washington Post, was recently published in paperback.

His memoir, Collision of Power, Trump, Bezos, and The Washington Post, was recently published in paperback.

Marty Barron is the former executive editor of The Washington Post and author of the memoir, Collision of Power, Trump, Bezos, and The Washington Post, which is now out in paperback.

Girl, Interrupted Cover

Susanna Kaysen

Girl, Interrupted

The host expressed surprise that Selena Gomez had seen the film adaptation and admitted she hadn't even read the book.

"

I can't believe Girl Interrupted is one of the first films you saw.

— Episode: Selena Gomez Has Found Her Balance

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Episode: Selena Gomez Has Found Her Balance

The host expressed surprise that Selena Gomez had seen the film adaptation and admitted she hadn't even read the book.

"

I can't believe Girl Interrupted is one of the first films you saw.

I don't even think I've read that.

Break (A Click Graphic Novel, 6) Cover

Kayla Miller

Break (A Click Graphic Novel, 6)

The host referenced the novel when recalling a 1986 interview, using it as a time marker for Price's earlier career.

"

When we spoke in 1986, after your novel The Breaks, you said something that reminds me of something that you wrote in the paragraph that you read.

— Episode: Best Of: Why Do We Itch? / Writer Richar...

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Episode: Best Of: Why Do We Itch? / Writer Richard Price

The host referenced the novel when recalling a 1986 interview, using it as a time marker for Price's earlier career.

"

When we spoke in 1986, after your novel The Breaks, you said something that reminds me of something that you wrote in the paragraph that you read.

Freedom's Land Cover

Anna Jacobs

Freedom's Land

Mentioned alongside other early novels as film adaptations, indicating its status as a published work.

"

Several of his earlier novels were adapted into films, including Clockers, Freedom Land, and The Wanderers.

— Episode: Best Of: Why Do We Itch? / Writer Richar...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Best Of: Why Do We Itch? / Writer Richard Price

Mentioned alongside other early novels as film adaptations, indicating its status as a published work.

"

Several of his earlier novels were adapted into films, including Clockers, Freedom Land, and The Wanderers.

The Wanderers: A Story of Exile, Survival, and Unexpected Love in the Shadow of World War II Cover

Daniela Gerson

The Wanderers

A Story of Exile, Survival, and Unexpected Love in the Shadow of World War II

Cited as one of Price's early novels that received a film adaptation, showing its publication as a paperback/hardcover book.

"

Several of his earlier novels were adapted into films, including Clockers, Freedom Land, and The Wanderers.

— Episode: Best Of: Why Do We Itch? / Writer Richar...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Best Of: Why Do We Itch? / Writer Richard Price

Cited as one of Price's early novels that received a film adaptation, showing its publication as a paperback/hardcover book.

"

Several of his earlier novels were adapted into films, including Clockers, Freedom Land, and The Wanderers.

Freedom's Land Cover

Anna Jacobs

Freedom's Land

Freedom Land was mentioned alongside Clockers and The Wanderers as one of Price's novels that had been turned into a movie.

"

Several of his earlier novels were adapted into films, including Clockers, Freedom Land, and The Wanderers.

— Episode: How Screenwriting Saved Novelist Richard...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: How Screenwriting Saved Novelist Richard Price

Freedom Land was mentioned alongside Clockers and The Wanderers as one of Price's novels that had been turned into a movie.

"

Several of his earlier novels were adapted into films, including Clockers, Freedom Land, and The Wanderers.

The Wanderers: A Story of Exile, Survival, and Unexpected Love in the Shadow of World War II Cover

Daniela Gerson

The Wanderers

A Story of Exile, Survival, and Unexpected Love in the Shadow of World War II

The Wanderers was listed as another of Price's earlier works that had been adapted for film, mentioned together with Clockers and Freedom Land.

"

Several of his earlier novels were adapted into films, including Clockers, Freedom Land, and The Wanderers.

— Episode: How Screenwriting Saved Novelist Richard...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: How Screenwriting Saved Novelist Richard Price

The Wanderers was listed as another of Price's earlier works that had been adapted for film, mentioned together with Clockers and Freedom Land.

"

Several of his earlier novels were adapted into films, including Clockers, Freedom Land, and The Wanderers.

Uncertain Ground: Citizenship in an Age of Endless, Invisible War Cover

Phil Klay

Uncertain Ground

Citizenship in an Age of Endless, Invisible War

The essay collection was noted for further examining the complex relationship between American society and its military engagements and for its moral insight.

"

His short essay collection, Uncertain Ground, further examines the complex relationship between American society and its military engagements, arguing that most Americans are largely...

— Episode: Veteran Phil Klay On A 2nd Trump Adminis...

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Episode: Veteran Phil Klay On A 2nd Trump Administration &...

The essay collection was noted for further examining the complex relationship between American society and its military engagements and for its moral insight.

"

His short essay collection, Uncertain Ground, further examines the complex relationship between American society and its military engagements, arguing that most Americans are largely unaware of our ongoing conflicts and that disconnect has created a moral blind spot in American society.

Can I have you read an excerpt from Uncertain Ground? It's your collection of essays about the relationship between society and the military.

reading from his 2022 book of essays titled Uncertain Ground.

Missionaries: A Novel Cover

Phil Klay

Missionaries

A Novel

The novel was presented as focusing on a group of Colombian soldiers preparing to raid a drug lord's safe house on the Venezuelan border.

"

His novel Missionaries is about a group of Colombian soldiers preparing to raid a drug lord safe house on the Venezuelan border.

— Episode: Veteran Phil Klay On A 2nd Trump Adminis...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Veteran Phil Klay On A 2nd Trump Administration &...

The novel was presented as focusing on a group of Colombian soldiers preparing to raid a drug lord's safe house on the Venezuelan border.

"

His novel Missionaries is about a group of Colombian soldiers preparing to raid a drug lord safe house on the Venezuelan border.

Sonny Boy: A Memoir Cover

Al Pacino

Sonny Boy

A Memoir

The memoir was introduced as Al Pacino's new memoir, describing his life from his South Bronx upbringing to his acting career.

"

He has a new memoir called Sunny Boy.

— Episode: Best Of: Al Pacino / Saoirse Ronan

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Episode: Best Of: Al Pacino / Saoirse Ronan

The memoir was introduced as Al Pacino's new memoir, describing his life from his South Bronx upbringing to his acting career.

"

He has a new memoir called Sunny Boy.

Al Pacino's new memoir is called Sunny Boy.

Savings and Trust: The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank Cover

Justene Hill Edwards

Savings and Trust

The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank

The host introduced the new release as a study of the Freedman's Bank's rise and betrayal, noting that it examined how the institution failed the newly freed Black Americans.

"

Her book is called Savings and Trust.

— Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities T...

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Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today

The host introduced the new release as a study of the Freedman's Bank's rise and betrayal, noting that it examined how the institution failed the newly freed Black Americans.

"

Her book is called Savings and Trust.

She's written a new book about the rise and betrayal of the Freedman's Bank titled Savings and Trust.

Her book is titled Savings and Trust.

Her new book is Savings and Trust, The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank.

Unfree Markets: The Slaves' Economy and the Rise of Capitalism in South Carolina (Columbia Studies in the History of U.S. Capitalism) Cover

Justene Hill Edwards

Unfree Markets

The Slaves' Economy and the Rise of Capitalism in South Carolina (Columbia Studies in the History of U.S. Capitalism)

The previous work was described as dissecting the economic lives of enslaved people and tracing the rise of capitalism in South Carolina.

"

Her previous book, Unfree Markets, The Slaves' Economy and the Rise of Capitalism in South Carolina, dissects the economic lives of the enslaved.

— Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities T...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today

The previous work was described as dissecting the economic lives of enslaved people and tracing the rise of capitalism in South Carolina.

"

Her previous book, Unfree Markets, The Slaves' Economy and the Rise of Capitalism in South Carolina, dissects the economic lives of the enslaved.

Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures Cover

Katherine Rundell

Vanishing Treasures

A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures

The critic highlighted it as an extraordinary book that lifts readers beyond the present, originally issued in the UK as The Golden Mole.

"

She found it in a book by Catherine Rundle called Vanishing Treasures.

— Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities T...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today

The critic highlighted it as an extraordinary book that lifts readers beyond the present, originally issued in the UK as The Golden Mole.

"

She found it in a book by Catherine Rundle called Vanishing Treasures.

Vanishing Treasures, an extraordinary book by Catherine Rundle, originally published under the title The Golden Mole in the UK, lifts readers out of the here and now and invites us to train our eyes on wider horizons.

The Golden Mole: and Other Living Treasure: 'A rare and magical book.' Bill Bryson Cover

Katherine Rundell

The Golden Mole

and Other Living Treasure

Mentioned as the original UK title of Vanishing Treasures, emphasizing its earlier publication name.

"

Vanishing Treasures, an extraordinary book by Catherine Rundle, originally published under the title The Golden Mole in the UK, lifts readers out of the here and now and invites us to...

— Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities T...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today

Mentioned as the original UK title of Vanishing Treasures, emphasizing its earlier publication name.

"

Vanishing Treasures, an extraordinary book by Catherine Rundle, originally published under the title The Golden Mole in the UK, lifts readers out of the here and now and invites us to train our eyes on wider horizons.

Rooftoppers Cover

Katherine Rundell

Rooftoppers

Described as a 2013 middlegrade children's book that drew on the author's undergraduate adventures at Oxford.

"

Her 2013 middle grade children's book, Rooftoppers, drew inspiration from her own adventures as an undergraduate at Oxford, where she climbed brick walls and scaled drain pipes to tak...

— Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities T...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today

Described as a 2013 middlegrade children's book that drew on the author's undergraduate adventures at Oxford.

"

Her 2013 middle grade children's book, Rooftoppers, drew inspiration from her own adventures as an undergraduate at Oxford, where she climbed brick walls and scaled drain pipes to take in the views of that city of dreaming spires from on high.

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