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
Impossible Creatures Cover

Katherine Rundell

Impossible Creatures

Referred to as a bestselling fantasy novel written by the author.

"

as well as a best-selling fantasy novel called Impossible Creatures.

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

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Episode: Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today

Referred to as a bestselling fantasy novel written by the author.

"

as well as a best-selling fantasy novel called Impossible Creatures.

Atonement: A Novel Cover

Ian McEwan

Atonement

A Novel

The film adaptation was referenced as the role that earned Ronan her first Oscar nomination, acknowledging the underlying novel. The discussion treated it as a notable work in her career.

"

Saoirse Ronan's performance as a precocious young girl in the war drama Atonement got her her first Oscar nomination.

— Episode: Saoirse Ronan Says Being A Child Actor S...

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Episode: Saoirse Ronan Says Being A Child Actor Shaped Her...

The film adaptation was referenced as the role that earned Ronan her first Oscar nomination, acknowledging the underlying novel. The discussion treated it as a notable work in her career.

"

Saoirse Ronan's performance as a precocious young girl in the war drama Atonement got her her first Oscar nomination.

The Q Cover

Beth Brower

The Q

The memoir Q was released in 2001 and was accompanied by a fourCD box set of his music.

"

I spoke with him in 2001, after the release of his memoir, Q, and a fourCD box set by the same name of music featuring him as a trumpeter, arranger, composer, or producer.

— Episode: Remembering Quincy Jones

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Episode: Remembering Quincy Jones

The memoir Q was released in 2001 and was accompanied by a fourCD box set of his music.

"

I spoke with him in 2001, after the release of his memoir, Q, and a fourCD box set by the same name of music featuring him as a trumpeter, arranger, composer, or producer.

That's a sampling of music from the fourCD box set, Q, that was released at the same time as his memoir, Q.

That was back in 2001, when I spoke with him.

Sonny Boy: A Memoir Cover

Al Pacino

Sonny Boy

A Memoir

Al Pacino's new memoir, Sunny Boy, was discussed as covering his upbringing in the South Bronx, his discovery of classic playwrights, his rise to movie stardom, neardeath from COVID, and reflections on his later life.

"

He's written a new memoir called Sunny Boy.

— Episode: Al Pacino Looks Back On A Legendary Care...

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Episode: Al Pacino Looks Back On A Legendary Career

Al Pacino's new memoir, Sunny Boy, was discussed as covering his upbringing in the South Bronx, his discovery of classic playwrights, his rise to movie stardom, neardeath from COVID, and reflections on his later life.

"

He's written a new memoir called Sunny Boy.

My guest is Al Pacino and he's written a new memoir called Sunny Boy.

He has a new memoir and it's called Sunny Boy.

He has a new memoir and it's called Sunny Boy.

Al Pacino's new memoir is called Sunny Boy.

Speed Bump: A 25th Anniversary Collection Cover

Dave Coverly

Speed Bump

A 25th Anniversary Collection

Teri Garr said she had written a memoir titled Speed Bumps in 2005 that recounted her career and her experience living with multiple sclerosis.

"

In 2005, she wrote a memoir called Speed Bumps, which discussed her career and living with MS.

— Episode: Remembering 'Tootsie' Actor Teri Garr

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Episode: Remembering 'Tootsie' Actor Teri Garr

Teri Garr said she had written a memoir titled Speed Bumps in 2005 that recounted her career and her experience living with multiple sclerosis.

"

In 2005, she wrote a memoir called Speed Bumps, which discussed her career and living with MS.

But I think it's one of the reasons I wrote about it in the book.

American Agenda: Report to the Forty-First President of the United States of America Cover

Editor

American Agenda

Report to the Forty-First President of the United States of America

The America First Policy Institute's slim policy book was mentioned as a concise counterpart to the more extensive Project 2025 volume.

"

The America First Policy Institute has a policy book called The America First Agenda.

— Episode: The Organization Ready To Help Trump Ove...

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Episode: The Organization Ready To Help Trump Override The...

The America First Policy Institute's slim policy book was mentioned as a concise counterpart to the more extensive Project 2025 volume.

"

The America First Policy Institute has a policy book called The America First Agenda.

I should add that the America First Policy Institute's policy book is kind of a slim volume compared to the much more famous one from the Heritage Foundation, the Project 2025 book.

The policy book by America First Policy Institute calls for a summary dismissal, without appeal, without the chance to appeal for it.

And that their job would be to kind of override the collective will of all these employees and impose the agenda of the administration on the entire sort of federal bureaucracy.

The overriding message was that these are essentially the enemies located inside the federal government.

Circle of Hope: A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church Cover

Eliza Griswold

Circle of Hope

A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church

The book examined the rise and fall of the Circle of Hope church, exploring love, power, and justice, and it was nominated for a National Book Award.

"

Her new book is called Circle of Hope, a reckoning with love, power, and justice in an American church.

— Episode: How The Culture Wars Split A Church

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Episode: How The Culture Wars Split A Church

The book examined the rise and fall of the Circle of Hope church, exploring love, power, and justice, and it was nominated for a National Book Award.

"

Her new book is called Circle of Hope, a reckoning with love, power, and justice in an American church.

Her new book, Circle of Hope, A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church, It's nominated for a National Book Award.

Her new book is titled Circle of Hope, a reckoning with love, power and justice in an American church.

Her new book, Circle of Hope, A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church, is about a small church that was founded in 1996 as a radical alternative to the evangelical right.

Her new book is called Circle of Hope, A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church. It's nominated for a National Book Award.

Amity and Prosperity: One Family and the Fracturing of America Cover

Eliza Griswold

Amity and Prosperity

One Family and the Fracturing of America

It chronicled the Griswold family and the fracturing of America, and it won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize.

"

Her previous book, Amity and Prosperity, One Family and the Fracturing of America, won a 2019 Pulitzer Prize.

— Episode: How The Culture Wars Split A Church

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Episode: How The Culture Wars Split A Church

It chronicled the Griswold family and the fracturing of America, and it won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize.

"

Her previous book, Amity and Prosperity, One Family and the Fracturing of America, won a 2019 Pulitzer Prize.

The Edge Of Normal (Thorndike Press Large Print Reviewers' Choice) Cover

Carla Norton

The Edge Of Normal (Thorndike Press Large Print Reviewers' Choice)

The novel was presented as a new George Smiley story positioned between John le Carr's classic spy books.

"

Also, writer Nick Harkaway talks about his novel, Carla's Choice.

— Episode: Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway...

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Episode: Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway, John le...

The novel was presented as a new George Smiley story positioned between John le Carr's classic spy books.

"

Also, writer Nick Harkaway talks about his novel, Carla's Choice.

Nick Harkaway's new book is called Carla's Choice.

That's Nick Harkaway reading from his new book, Carla's Choice.

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Penguin Clothbound Classics) Cover

John le Carré

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Penguin Clothbound Classics)

Listed as one of the three original George Smiley books referenced in the discussion.

"

you have the first three, Call for the Dead, Murder of Quality, and Spy Came from the Cold.

— Episode: Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway...

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Episode: Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway, John le...

Listed as one of the three original George Smiley books referenced in the discussion.

"

you have the first three, Call for the Dead, Murder of Quality, and Spy Came from the Cold.

Tigerman: A novel Cover

Nick Harkaway

Tigerman

A novel

Listed as one of the eight novels written by Nick Harkaway.

"

He's written eight, including Tiger Man, Noman, and Titanium Noir.

— Episode: Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway...

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Episode: Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway, John le...

Listed as one of the eight novels written by Nick Harkaway.

"

He's written eight, including Tiger Man, Noman, and Titanium Noir.

Conclave: A novel Cover

Robert Harris

Conclave

A novel

The thriller was noted as being adapted from Robert Harris's 2016 novel, which was described as a paperback thriller.

"

Adapted from Robert Harris' 2016 novel, Conclave wasn't a whodunit exactly, although it did begin with the discovery of a body.

— Episode: Singer-Songwriter Randy Newman

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Episode: Singer-Songwriter Randy Newman

The thriller was noted as being adapted from Robert Harris's 2016 novel, which was described as a paperback thriller.

"

Adapted from Robert Harris' 2016 novel, Conclave wasn't a whodunit exactly, although it did begin with the discovery of a body.

It summed up the movie's paperback thriller appeal and its dramatic limitations.

The Edge Of Normal (Thorndike Press Large Print Reviewers' Choice) Cover

Carla Norton

The Edge Of Normal (Thorndike Press Large Print Reviewers' Choice)

The host mentioned it as the new novel by Nick Harkaway, who is the son of famed author John le Carr. It was referenced while discussing upcoming literary releases.

"

Or Nick Harkaway, son of famed author John LeCarr on his new novel, Carla's Choice.

— Episode: Painter Titus Kaphar On 'Exhibiting Forg...

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Episode: Painter Titus Kaphar On 'Exhibiting Forgiveness'

The host mentioned it as the new novel by Nick Harkaway, who is the son of famed author John le Carr. It was referenced while discussing upcoming literary releases.

"

Or Nick Harkaway, son of famed author John LeCarr on his new novel, Carla's Choice.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Penguin Clothbound Classics) Cover

John le Carré

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Penguin Clothbound Classics)

It was mentioned as part of the le Carr canon that brackets Carla's Choice.

"

Carla's Choice takes place in 1963, between le Carr's novels The Spy Who Came In From the Cold and Tinker Tailor's Soldier Spy.

— Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad...

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Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad's Beloved...

It was mentioned as part of the le Carr canon that brackets Carla's Choice.

"

Carla's Choice takes place in 1963, between le Carr's novels The Spy Who Came In From the Cold and Tinker Tailor's Soldier Spy.

the protagonist of many of le Carr's novels, including Tinker Tailor's Soldier Spy and Smiley's People.

The Edge Of Normal (Thorndike Press Large Print Reviewers' Choice) Cover

Carla Norton

The Edge Of Normal (Thorndike Press Large Print Reviewers' Choice)

It was presented as the new George Smiley novel written by le Carr's son, Nick Harkaway.

"

Le Carr, whose real name was David Cornwell, died in 2020, but George Smiley returns in a new novel called Carla's Choice. It's written by Cornwell's son, Nick, who goes by his own pen name, Nick Hark...

— Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad...

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Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad's Beloved...

It was presented as the new George Smiley novel written by le Carr's son, Nick Harkaway.

"

Le Carr, whose real name was David Cornwell, died in 2020, but George Smiley returns in a new novel called Carla's Choice. It's written by Cornwell's son, Nick, who goes by his own pen name, Nick Harkaway.

That's Nick Harkaway reading from his new book, Carless Choice.

Nick Harkaway's new novel is called Carla's Choice.

The Gone-Away World Cover

Nick Harkaway

The Gone-Away World

It was cited as one of Nick Harkaway's earlier novels.

"

His other books include The Gone Away World, No Man, Titanium Noir, and Tiger Man.

— Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad...

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Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad's Beloved...

It was cited as one of Nick Harkaway's earlier novels.

"

His other books include The Gone Away World, No Man, Titanium Noir, and Tiger Man.

No Man's Land Cover

Richard K. Morgan

No Man's Land

It was listed among Nick Harkaway's previous works.

"

His other books include The Gone Away World, No Man, Titanium Noir, and Tiger Man.

— Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad's Beloved...

It was listed among Nick Harkaway's previous works.

"

His other books include The Gone Away World, No Man, Titanium Noir, and Tiger Man.

Tigerman: A novel Cover

Nick Harkaway

Tigerman

A novel

It was referenced as another of Harkaway's earlier books.

"

His other books include The Gone Away World, No Man, Titanium Noir, and Tiger Man.

— Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad's Beloved...

It was referenced as another of Harkaway's earlier books.

"

His other books include The Gone Away World, No Man, Titanium Noir, and Tiger Man.

His other novels include Titanium Noir, Tiger Man, and Gnoman.

Gnomon: A novel Cover

Nick Harkaway

Gnomon

A novel

It was added to the list of Nick Harkaway's previous novels.

"

His other novels include Titanium Noir, Tiger Man, and Gnoman.

— Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad's Beloved...

It was added to the list of Nick Harkaway's previous novels.

"

His other novels include Titanium Noir, Tiger Man, and Gnoman.

The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 Cover

Peter Baker

The Divider

Trump in the White House, 2017-2021

It was cowritten by Susan Glasser and her husband Peter Baker about Donald Trump and his presidency. The hosts noted its relevance to the discussion of billionaire donors.

"

Glasser cowrote the book, The Divider, about Trump and his presidency. Her coauthor is her husband, Peter Baker, who covers the White House for The New York Times.

— Episode: What Do Billionaires Like Elon Musk Want...

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Episode: What Do Billionaires Like Elon Musk Want From Trum...

It was cowritten by Susan Glasser and her husband Peter Baker about Donald Trump and his presidency. The hosts noted its relevance to the discussion of billionaire donors.

"

Glasser cowrote the book, The Divider, about Trump and his presidency. Her coauthor is her husband, Peter Baker, who covers the White House for The New York Times.

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