Won Lee, the protagonist of the novel The Sense of Wonder, is the only Asian American player in the NBA. But as was true for real-life basketball star Jeremy Lin, things can get very ugly – and very racist – very quickly. In today's episode, author Matthew Salesses explains to NPR's Leila Fadel how he tried to balance his main character's "happy to be here" energy with the need to push back and stand up for himself. He also tells Fadel about his deep love for Korean dramas, and how that passion found a home in the novel, too.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Kultur & Gesellschaft
NPR's Book of the Day Folgen
In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone's talking about? NPR's Book of the Day gives you today's very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast. Whether you're looking to engage with the big questions of our times – or temporarily escape from them – we've got an author who will speak to you, all genres, mood and writing styles included. Catch today's great books in 15 minutes or less.
Folgen von NPR's Book of the Day
950 Folgen
-
Folge vom 07.02.2023NBA dreams come true in 'The Sense of Wonder.' But at what cost?
-
Folge vom 06.02.2023Through short stories, 'The Faraway World' encompasses the Latin American diasporaPatricia Engel's new collection of short stories, The Faraway World, reaches into the lives of imaginary characters scattered throughout Latin America. There's a family that's left reeling after a very important member disappears; there's an immigrant woman grappling with societal expectations of what her body and career should look like. In today's episode, Engel talks with NPR's Leila Fadel about some of the overarching themes that tie the ten stories together – and how the title came from a family photograph she found from when her own grandfather took a leap into the unknown.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
-
Folge vom 03.02.2023Two novels take a closer look at class and gender in Indian societyToday's episode features two books that examine wealth – or lack thereof – and gender in India. First, Deepti Kapoor chats with NPR's Scott Simon about her novel, Age of Vice, and the way it portrays indulgence in New Delhi society through a protagonist who is an "oppressed everyman." Then, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asks Parini Shroff about The Bandit Queens, which follows a jewelry maker who refuses to set the record straight on the village rumor that she murdered her husband – and finds unexpected laughs in her dark quest to help other women get rid of their partners, too.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
-
Folge vom 02.02.2023In 'Beaverland,' Leila Philip credits the beaver with building AmericaJournalist Leila Philip first became interested in beavers when she saw a group of rodents building a pond near her house. Her fascination with what they were doing led her to research and report her new book, Beaverland, which takes a closer look at the animals' impact on North America, from the earliest transatlantic beaver fur trade to today's river restoration efforts. Philip spoke with NPR's Michel Martin about how learning their long history on our continent can highlight beavers' ongoing economic and environmental contributions, especially when it comes to water conservation.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy