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The Daily

This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro, Rachel Abrams and Natalie Kitroeff. Twenty minutes a day, six days a week, ready by 6 a.m. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts an...

Episodes 545
Books 195

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The Song of Achilles cover

The Song of Achilles

Madeline Miller

Mentioned 1 week ago

What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything.

The novelSong of Achilleswas mentioned alongsideCirceto establish Miller's credentials as a bestselling author of modern Greekmyth retellings.

Emily Wilson, who translated The Odyssey and is the very first woman to do so, and Madeline Miller, author of Circe and Song of Achilles, two bestselling novels inspired by Homer's poems.

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Circe cover

Circe

Madeline Miller

Mentioned 1 week ago

What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything.

Madeline Miller's novelCircewas highlighted as her personal favorite and praised for giving voice to the witchgoddess from the Odyssey.

You've written a number of brilliant books and short stories, including Circe, my personal favorite, which is about one of the goddesses that Odysseus encounters on his way home.

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Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World cover

Paved Paradise

Henry Grabar

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

The Most American Episode of The Daily, Ever.

The nonfiction book was highlighted as the most American book because it links parking to broader questions of urban planning and resource allocation, and it helped the speaker understand the country in a new way.

The most American nonfiction book is Paved Paradise, How Parking Explains the World by Henry Grabar. Grabar makes the argument that a lot of questions about how to allocate resources and cities, questions of building affordable housing, all of these really urgent issues are actually tied to the American fixation not just on cars but on parking those cars. It really made me understand the country in a new way.

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The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois: An Oprah's Book Club Pick cover

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois

Honoree Fanonne Jeffers

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

The Most American Episode of The Daily, Ever.

The book was chosen as the most American work after the Century Cycle, praised for weaving together personal and ancestral narratives that illuminate American history and identity.

But then I chose the book, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honore Fanonne Jeffers.

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Joe Turner's Come and Gone (August Wilson's Century Cycle, 2) cover

Joe Turner's Come and Gone (August Wilson's Century Cycle, 2)

August Wilson

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

The Most American Episode of The Daily, Ever.

The tenplay collection was cited as a contender for the most American work, with each play set in a different decade of the 20th century, portraying AfricanAmerican experiences across a century.

I actually came up with ten plays. That would be August Wilson's Century Cycle.

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Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump cover

Regime Change

Maggie Haberman

Mentioned 3 weeks ago

Robby Hoffman Will Always Feel Poor, No Matter How Rich She Gets

The book was advertised as an explosive inside account of power, conflict, and decisions reshaping America during Donald Trump's White House.

This podcast is supported by Simon and Schuster. What's really happening inside Donald Trump's White House? In regime change, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan deliver the explosive inside account of power, conflict, and decisions reshaping America. Regime change, wherever books are sold.

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PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: Prescribing, Monitoring & Deprescribing cover

PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

LAVINIA JUNIOR JACOBSON

Mentioned 4 weeks ago

R.F.K. Jr.’s Newest Mission: Getting Us Off Antidepressants

The hosts noted that a new deprescribing handbook was available for sale at the conference exhibition hall, indicating its relevance to the discussion on tapering off psychiatric medications.

There was a new deprescribing handbook, and it was selling a lot downstairs in the exhibition hall.

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In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man: A Memoir cover

In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man

Tom Junod

Mentioned 1 month ago

Can a Bad Man Be a Good Father?

The book was presented as Tom Junod's new work, blending memoir and detective storytelling to explore fatherhood and the legacy a father leaves behind.

In the Days of My Youth, I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man. And it's a powerful meditation on what we need from a father, what we inherit from a father, and how we somehow make peace with the gap in between those.

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The Road cover

The Road

Cormac McCarthy

Mentioned 1 month ago

A Gen Z Revolution at the Movies

The host noted that Ryan Holiday nominated the novel as one of his top books of the 21st century, praising it for capturing both the beauty and horror of parenthood.

I talked to the author Ryan Holiday about why he nominated Cormac McCarthy's The Road as one of his top books of the 21st century.

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The Rational Bible: Genesis cover

The Rational Bible

Dennis Prager

Mentioned 1 month ago

Do Aliens Exist? Steven Spielberg Believes They Do

The biblical book was cited when discussing concepts of creation and humanity's place in the universe.

Because Genesis says that we're his supreme creation, but do you think it's possible that...

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The War of the Worlds: The Original Unabridged and Complete Edition ( H. G. Wells Classics) cover

The War of the Worlds

H. G. Wells

Mentioned 1 month ago

Do Aliens Exist? Steven Spielberg Believes They Do

Spielberg referenced the novel as a thematic influence for his film, noting that it was quoted in the movie.

It's very much part of War of the Worlds, H.E. Wells' book that you quote from for your film.

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Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief cover

Going Clear

Lawrence Wright

Mentioned 1 month ago

Seth Rogen Is 44, Often Stoned and on a Roll

The host mentioned reading Going Clear, noting that a single sentence from the book about Scientology abruptly shifted his perspective on how famous people interpret treatment and status.

I read that Going Clear book. Every once in a while, you know, like you read like one sentence and it like snaps your whole perspective into place a little bit. And I remember reading that book about Scientology and there was just one sentence in it about how famous people tend to do a thing where if they aren't treated in a certain way, it makes them think they're not as talented as they wish they were.

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Most Recommended

Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes Cover

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes

In the Sunday Special episode, the hosts mentioned Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes as a whimsical cookbook option for foodie readers, noting that Dahl's prose retained its characteristic sharpness. The book was listed alongside other author-themed cookbooks as a fun, niche choice rather than a core recommendation.

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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This cookbook was mentioned as a fun option for a foodie reader, noting that Roald Dahl's prose was as acid as one would expect.

"

There's the Roald Dahl cookbook, the Rumor Garden cookbook, the Maya Angelou cookbook, the Pat Conroy cookbook.

Mrs. Mander's Cook Book Cover

Olga Sarah Manders

Mrs. Mander's Cook Book

The book was included in a holiday gift guide episode, where the hosts noted it as a suitable choice for readers who love food. It was mentioned alongside other cookbooks as a recommendation for foodie listeners.

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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This cookbook was listed among others by writers who care about food, recommended for the foodie reader.

"

the Rumor Garden cookbook,

Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes Cover

Maya Angelou

Hallelujah! The Welcome Table

A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes

The book was highlighted as a suitable gift for readers who love food, noting that Maya Angelou's cookbook reflects her care for culinary topics. Jumana Khatib mentioned it as an option among holiday book suggestions. The discussion presented it as a pleasant, food‑focused read without strong endorsement.

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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This cookbook by Maya Angelou was listed as an option for a foodie reader interested in a book by a writer who cares about food.

"

the Maya Angelou cookbook,

The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes of My Life Cover

Pat Conroy

The Pat Conroy Cookbook

Recipes of My Life

During a holiday gifting segment, the hosts highlighted the book as a seafood‑focused cookbook, noting its especially good method for preparing bluefish. They suggested it would be an appealing gift for readers who love cooking and seafood. The tone was a light recommendation aimed at foodie listeners.

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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This cookbook, which reportedly contains a lot of seafood recipes including a good method for bluefish, was suggested for the foodie reader.

"

The Pat Conroy Cookbook. What is in The Pat Conroy Cookbook? A lot of seafood. You're kidding. Yeah. Yeah, he has a really good method for bluefish actually.

Dalí. Les dîners de Gala Cover

Salvador Dalí

Dalí. Les dîners de Gala

Jumana Khatib highlighted the book as a stunning blend of a food guide and a coffee‑table showcase, noting its focus on Gala Dalí's wildly elaborate dinner party menus. She emphasized that it was highly recommended for anyone looking for a unique, visually striking read during the holidays.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This was highly recommended as a book that walks the line between a food book and a coffee table book, featuring Salvador Dal's wife Gala's incredibly elaborate, absurd, and over-the-top dinner party menus.

"

And another one I would say kind of walking the line between food book and coffee table book. I have had very good success with Dinners to Gala, the most stunning book. It's all Gala Dahl's incredibly elaborate, absurd, over-the-top dinner party menus.

Diaghilev's Empire: How the Ballets Russes Enthralled the World Cover

Rupert Christiansen

Diaghilev's Empire

How the Ballets Russes Enthralled the World

The book was highlighted as a lively, gossip‑filled account of the Ballets Russes in 1920s Paris, making it a fitting gift for a grandmother who enjoys the performing arts. Sadie Stein recommended it for its fun, accessible style, noting that even readers who aren’t ballet fans could enjoy it. The episode presented the title as an entertaining and engaging read.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This book was recommended for a grandmother who loves the performing arts, as it covers the Ballets Russes in Paris in the 1920s and is described as gossipy and fun, even if the reader doesn't particularly like ballet.

"

I would go for Diaghilev's Empire, How the Ballet Russe Enthralled the World, which is about the Ballet Russe in Paris in the 1920s. And it's really gossipy and it's really fun.

Hat Box: The Collected Lyrics of Stephen Sondheim: A Box Set Cover

Stephen Sondheim

Hat Box

The Collected Lyrics of Stephen Sondheim

The host highlighted a two‑book set of Stephen Sondheim's musical lyrics, noting that the annotated collections were a joy to read alongside cast recordings and had become a personal favorite over the years. They suggested the title as an ideal gift for a grandparent or a dad who enjoys fiction, emphasizing its appeal as a thoughtful present.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This is a two-book set collecting all of Stephen Sondheim's musical lyrics, annotated and introduced by Sondheim himself, which the speaker found joyful to read while listening to cast recordings. These books were suggested as great for a grandparent or a dad who likes fiction.

"

These are two books that I've grown to love over the past many years. It's a two-book set, although you can buy each of them separately. These are Stephen Sondheim's books, Finishing the Hat and Look, I Made a Hat, which are collections of the lyrics for every Stephen Sondheim musical, annotated, introduced by Stephen Sondheim.

Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run Cover

Peter Ames Carlin

Tonight in Jungleland

The Making of Born to Run

In a holiday gifting segment, the host suggested the title as an ideal present for a new dad because it explores the making of Bruce Springsteen's iconic album, even though they admitted they wouldn't read it themselves. The recommendation highlighted its relevance to Springsteen fans while remaining a peripheral suggestion.

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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This book about the making of Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run' was suggested as a sure bet for a new dad, even though the speaker wouldn't read it themselves.

"

I do think any kind of Bruce Springsteen adjacent book, even though I will never read it, is a sure bet. So there's one that came out this year called Tonight in Jungle Land, which is all about the making of Born to Run.

The Uncool: A Memoir Cover

Cameron Crowe

The Uncool

A Memoir

Jumana Khatib suggested the memoir for a new dad, noting the author's 70s journalism career at Rolling Stone and his colorful, undercover experiences. She described it as an entertaining read that could inspire the listener to reflect on their own life journey.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This memoir by 70s journalist Cameron Crowe, who wrote for Rolling Stone, was suggested for a new dad who might enjoy reading about a life where he went undercover and depicted his childhood in a book.

"

But The Uncool by Cameron Crowe, who is a journalist in the 70s. He wrote for Rolling Stone. And he had one of those sort of picker-esque lives where I think dad will be entertained and possibly could look down at his little bundle of emerging consciousness and think, oh, what a life my child might have.

The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald Cover

John U. Bacon

The Gales of November

The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald

In a holiday gifting episode, the host suggested the book for new dads, noting it commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking—a subject many men find compelling. He highlighted that it provides a detailed account of the tragedy made famous by Gordon Lightfoot’s song, presenting it as a strong endorsement.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This book was recommended for new dads because it covers the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975, a topic the speaker noted men seem obsessed with. It details the tragedy immortalized in a Gordon Lightfoot song.

"

I read a book, because it's the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald called The Gales of November by a man named John U. Bacon.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: Selected Journals 1841-1877 Cover

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Selected Journals 1841-1877

The host recommended the title as a beautiful gift for a father, noting that Emerson's observations about his son illustrated how parental love remains unchanged across time. They also mentioned that, while the content was emotionally sad, the journals were praised for their aesthetic and heartfelt qualities.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

The speaker recommended these beautiful journals for a father, noting Emerson's observations about his son Waldo demonstrate that parental love hasn't changed over time, although the content was emotionally sad.

"

especially perhaps for a father, the journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson are so beautiful. And what he writes, his observations about Waldo, and of course, knowing what happens, it's hard to read, but it is... It just shows how parental love has not changed.

How to Draw Creative Pets. Fauvist Cats in Color: 56 Breed Cat Exercises for Practicing Colors and Textures with Colored Pencils (Draw pets like a pro) Cover

Posterlike Editions

How to Draw Creative Pets. Fauvist Cats in Color

56 Breed Cat Exercises for Practicing Colors and Textures with Colored Pencils (Draw pets like a pro)

The title was highlighted as an unexpected, quirky gift option, praised for its bizarre captions and colorful cat illustrations. Sadie Stein mentioned it as a fun, random present suggested by poet Stevie Smith, noting its appeal for holiday gifting.

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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This was suggested as an unexpected, weird, and great random gift book from the poet Stevie Smith, featuring bizarre captions.

"

Look for, for instance, the poet Stevie Smith's random gift book, Cats in Color, with their incredibly bizarre captions.

Archie and the Strict Baptists Cover

John Betjeman

Archie and the Strict Baptists

The host recommended the book as an extremely odd children's title by John Betjeman, noting it would make a surprising gift for anyone interested in the author. It was highlighted for its quirky nature and novelty as a holiday present.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This was recommended as an extremely weird children's book by John Betjeman that people won't have, making it a great unexpected gift for someone interested in the author.

"

Look for John Betjeman's extremely weird children's book, Archie and the Strict Baptists.

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Say Good Night: and other bedtime rhymes Cover

Tiger Tales

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Say Good Night

and other bedtime rhymes

These children's books by Ionesco were suggested as unexpected and great gifts for readers interested in this writer.

"

You know, look for Ionesco's children's books. They are unexpected. They are weird. They are great.

— Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Ho...

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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

These children's books by Ionesco were suggested as unexpected and great gifts for readers interested in this writer.

"

You know, look for Ionesco's children's books. They are unexpected. They are weird. They are great.

Trip: A Novel Cover

Amie Barrodale

Trip

A Novel

The book was highlighted as an anti‑algorithmic novel that captivated the speaker’s consciousness, following a documentary filmmaker’s death in Nepal and his son’s liminal experience while quoting the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It was praised for its hysterically written style and noted as deserving far more recognition.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays

This novel was described as an anti-algorithmic book that kidnapped the speaker's consciousness, following a documentarian who dies in Nepal and then checks in on her son from the bardo (limbo). It quotes heavily from the Tibetan Book of the Dead and is hysterically written.

"

I happen to know a lot of snobs in New York City. So I actually am looking at Trip by Amy Baradale. This is the book that kidnapped my consciousness and still has it as far as I'm concerned because it touches on the finer points of Buddhist ideas about life after death.

It's hysterically written. I don't think Amy Baradale is as known as she ought to be. And it's just, like, this is, if you want to talk about, like, anti-algorithmic books, this is the definition of that.

Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection Cover

John Green

Everything Is Tuberculosis

The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection

The book was highlighted by David Marchese as a recent nonfiction bestseller that brought attention to global health by exposing the high death toll of a curable disease. He noted that it connected themes of suffering and worldwide illness, emphasizing its purpose of raising awareness.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: 'The Interview': John Green Knows That No One Real...

This was John Green's recent nonfiction bestseller which focused on global health. The stated purpose of the book was to raise attention to the fact that 1.5 million people were dying annually from a curable disease.

"

And then more recently, Green turned his attention to global health with this year's nonfiction bestseller Everything Is Tuberculosis.

or in your most recent book, Everything Is Tuberculosis, writing about global-scale illness. Again, they both connect, for me, to the idea of suffering.

Turtles All the Way Down Cover

John Green

Turtles All the Way Down

The book was brought up during an interview with its author, who explained that it was his final novel before stepping away from fiction. He recounted that the tour for the title left him seriously ill both physically and mentally. The discussion highlighted the personal toll the book's promotion took on him, without offering a recommendation.

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Episode: 'The Interview': John Green Knows That No One Real...

This was the author's last novel before his break from fiction writing, and he became physically and mentally sick after the tour for this book.

"

When I got home from the Turtles All the Way Down tour, my last novels tour, I became quite sick, both physically.

The Catcher in the Rye Cover

J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye

The book was brought up by John Green, who said he had read it and searched for traces of the author in the story even though Salinger had explicitly discouraged such readings. He reflected that this curiosity was a natural human impulse, without offering a strong endorsement or criticism.

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Episode: 'The Interview': John Green Knows That No One Real...

The interviewer mentioned reading this book and looking for hints of the author in the story, despite the author's wishes not to be read autobiographically.

"

I read J.D. Salinger into Catcher in the Rye, even though he made it very clear he didn't want me to do that. But I still did. You know, I still looked for hints of the author in the story. I just think that's a human impulse.

How To Be Right: The Art of Being Persuasively Correct Cover

Greg Gutfeld

How To Be Right

The Art of Being Persuasively Correct

During the interview, the host referenced the book when asking the author about his 2015 comment that ideological purity on the right creeped him out, noting that his views have shifted since then. The discussion highlighted his concern about ideological purity and how it appears today.

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Episode: 'The Interview': Fox News Wanted Greg Gutfeld to D...

Published in 2015, Gutfeld wrote in this book that ideological purity on the right unnerved him, although he admitted his own views have changed since then.

"

There's a book of yours. Yes. From 2015. Called How To Be Right.

And in there, you wrote that ideological purity on the right creeps you out. Where do you see that ideological purity on the right today?

The Bible of Unspeakable Truths Cover

Greg Gutfeld

The Bible of Unspeakable Truths

In the episode, the host cited the author's own book while discussing his earlier skepticism about vaccine claims and noting his more moderate view on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The reference was used to illustrate the shift in his stance rather than to promote the work. The overall tone was neutral, simply mentioning the title as background.

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Episode: 'The Interview': Fox News Wanted Greg Gutfeld to D...

The interviewer referenced this book when discussing Gutfeld's past skepticism regarding vaccine claims, contrasting it with his current softer stance on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

"

From your book, The Bible of Unspeakable Truths.

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