NPR's Book of the Day Folgen

During World War II, as American publishers sought ways to support the troops abroad, they began printing small, pocket-sized books that soldiers could fit anywhere. In When Books Went to War, Molly Guptill Manning tells the story of these little printed editions and how they served as a way of entertainment for soldiers looking for an escape from war. In an interview with Morning Edition, Guptill Manning told Renee Montagne about how reading helped soldiers feel like they were home.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Contrary to how it might feel when we're just seeing them through screens, celebrities, too, deal with very common human problems: disease, mental health concerns, complicated relationships. Today, we bring you two celebrity memoirs that show journeys in the spotlight and the human side of fame. First, Selma Blair talks about her memoir Mean Baby, in which she recounts her battles with addiction, multiple sclerosis, and more. Then, Jennifer Lewis talks about becoming The Mother of Black Hollywood – also the title of her book – and how performing ultimately masked her bipolar disorder.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In a frightening new horror novel, a young woman reunites with her cousin after escaping from a motherhood cult. In Just Like Mother, Anne Heltzel explores many different perspectives on motherhood, from unquestioning desire to ambivalence and fear. In an interview on Weekend Edition Sunday, Heltzel told Ayesha Roscoe about how she was able to 'spread her wings in the horror genre,' and that she hopes the novel will convey a need for questioning an experience often forced onto women.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy