NPR's Book of the Day

A new memoir from Ira Madison III is more than just 'Pure Innocent Fun'


Listen Later

TV writer, culture critic and podcast host Ira Madison III was not just one of the only Black students at his high school, he was also one of the only gay kids. In his new memoir, Pure Innocent Fun, Madison writes about how cultural artifacts became more than just a source of entertainment - they became a way to feel connected to others. In today's episode, Madison speaks with NPR's Juana Summers about growing up without many queer adults to turn to, and how Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a way for young queer kids to feel seen.

To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

NPR's Book of the DayBy NPR

  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2

4.2

577 ratings


More shows like NPR's Book of the Day

View all
The Book Review by The New York Times

The Book Review

3,900 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,452 Listeners

The New Yorker: Fiction by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker: Fiction

3,351 Listeners

Pop Culture Happy Hour by NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

11,360 Listeners

Book Riot - The Podcast by Book Riot

Book Riot - The Podcast

969 Listeners

All the Books! by Book Riot

All the Books!

1,208 Listeners

Well-Read by Ann Cox and Halle Eisenman

Well-Read

229 Listeners

The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker Radio Hour

6,695 Listeners

What Should I Read Next? by Anne Bogel

What Should I Read Next?

5,149 Listeners

Totally Booked with Zibby by Zibby Owens

Totally Booked with Zibby

622 Listeners

Poured Over by Barnes & Noble

Poured Over

300 Listeners

The Book Case by ABC News | Charlie Gibson, Kate Gibson

The Book Case

920 Listeners

The Interview by The New York Times

The Interview

1,547 Listeners

Critics at Large | The New Yorker by The New Yorker

Critics at Large | The New Yorker

622 Listeners

Wild Card with Rachel Martin by NPR

Wild Card with Rachel Martin

868 Listeners