Slate Books

By Slate Podcasts

What's Slate Books about?

For readers who are listeners, for listeners looking for something to read—this feed includes book discussions and conversations with authors from across the Slate Podcast network.

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Slate Books episodes:

04.21.2024
Working: How Fact-Checking Can Improve Your Fiction
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to novelist Julia Hannafin and ecologist Adam Rosenblatt. In the interview, they discuss Julia’s new novel Cascade, which includes information about sharks and other marine life that Adam helped to verify. Julia explains how...
04.20.2024
Political Gabfest: New Cold Wars
John Dickerson talks with author David E. Sanger about his new book, New Cold Wars. They discuss how Russia and China came to reach their new levels of power, the role the Middle East and Obama Administration played in all of...
04.19.2024
Dear Prudence: Bassey Ikpi, My Wife’s Bipolar Diagnosis Is Creating A Rift in Our Marriage. Help!
In this episode, Bassey Ikpi (New York Times bestselling essay collection, I’m Telling the Truth but I’m Lying) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about an international sisters’ trip gone awry, a husband’s struggle to live with his...
04.17.2024
Outward: A History of the Gay Right with Neil J. Young
This week Bryan talks to writer Neil J. Young about his new book Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right. They dig into some of the inherent contradictions of the Gay Right and the pillars of their political...
04.16.2024
Death, Sex & Money: A Sociopath's Guide to Death, Sex, and Money
Patric Gagne says being a sociopath is like having an emotional learning disability. In this episode, she talks about the good and the bad of having limited access to shame and guilt, how she overcame violent compulsions, and becoming a...
04.07.2024
Working: How to Be Both a Critic and a Creator
This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Linda Holmes, host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast and author of two novels: Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo. In the interview, Linda explains how she started her career...
04.03.2024
Outward - Ten Bridges I've Burnt: A Memoir in Verse
For National Poetry Month, Bryan and Jules talk to multi-hyphenate writer and performer Brontez Purnell about his new book Ten Bridges I've Burnt: A Memoir in Verse. They dig into the influence of astrophysics and forgiveness on his work, and...
04.02.2024
Slate Money: How to Escape the Invisible Factory
For this edition of Money Talks: Are you feeling trapped in Zoom/Teams/Slack purgatory? Author Cal Newport’s book Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout has a way forward. Host Emily Peck speaks with him about how the digital...
03.29.2024
Dear Prudence: Dan Pashman, My Partner Sticks Her Finger in Food to Taste Test It. Help!
In this episode, Dan Pashman (The Sporkful and Anything’s Pastable) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to handle a person who tastes food in an unsanitary fashion and deeply annoys you while you’re trying to cook in...
03.26.2024
How To!: Humor, Seriously!
Did you know that we, as a society, have fallen off a comedy cliff? No joke. Studies have shown that we largely stop laughing when we enter our mid-twenties, which is a shame because delighting in humor has a ton...
03.22.2024
A Word: Love, Family, and Freedom’s Ultimate Price
Myrlie Evers was arguably the first civil rights widow, a woman who was plunged into activism after the assassination of her husband—Mississippi NAACP field secretary Medgar Evers—in 1963. She survived to become a leader of the movement in her own...
03.20.2024
Well, Now: Every Deep-Drawn Breath
While most of the world moves on from Covid-19, millions of Americans remain in limbo: Those living with Long Covid. Long Covid symptoms are vast and can impact all parts of the body: from gastrointestinal tract issues and fatigue to autoimmune...
03.16.2024
Gabfest Reads: The Hunter
Emily Bazelon talks with author Tana French about her new book, The Hunter. They discuss the different perspectives French uses throughout her books, how French happened into writing mysteries, writing as an outsider to Ireland, and more. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at [email protected]....
03.15.2024
Dear Prudence: Michael Arceneaux, My Ex Had Sex With My Brother. Help!
In this episode, Michael Arceneaux (I Can’t Date Jesus and I Finally Bought Some Jordans) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about an interracial couple’s debate over African-centered home decor, how to cope with homesickness for a place you...
03.12.2024
How To!: Supercommunicators
Shannon is set to become an ordained minister—but she has always struggled with public speaking. Here’s the thing: She’s fine in front of large gatherings. In smaller gatherings, however, she mentally “freezes up” and rambles until she regains her train...
03.10.2024
Working: An Acting Coach’s Tips for Beginners and Experts
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Howard Fine, an acting teacher and coach who instructs both beginners and accomplished movie stars. In the interview, Howard explains why he chose to teach and coach, instead of act. Then he discusses...
03.09.2024
Amicus: The Lies Destroying America
It’s not just the justices on the Supreme Court who can’t seem to agree with each other anymore. As we slide into Trump v. Biden 2 (The Second One), it seems like voters can’t seem to come to a consensus...
03.08.2024
A Word: Freedom Fight Like a Woman
March is Women’s History Month, and for centuries, the roles of Black women in key moments of American history have been diminished. One book that takes a unique approach to exploring their stories is Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led...
03.08.2024
Dear Prudence: Aubrey Gordon, I Want People to Shut Up! Help!
In this episode, Aubrey Gordon (who you may also know as “Your Fat Friend”) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to handle unwanted comments about Ozempic-fueled weight loss, how to get people to stop talking...
03.05.2024
How To!: Master of Change
When Patti retired a few months ago, everyone told her she would love the freedom and flexibility that came with leaving the workforce. Not so. The transition has left Patti grieving the loss of her routine and sense of purpose—and...
03.03.2024
Working: How to Make a “Fair” Crossword Puzzle
This week, host June Thomas talks to Anna Shechtman, a crossword puzzle creator whose new book is called The Riddles of the Sphinx: Inheriting the Feminist History of the Crossword Puzzle. In the interview, Anna talks about her experience writing...
02.28.2024
Well, Now: Ending Racism in Healthcare
The U.S. healthcare system can split the country into two Americas. Your zip code, education, class status and more all play a role in the outcome of your health as well as the kind of care you receive. Fewer markers more clearly...
02.23.2024
A Word: Diversity in the Diaspora
The American obsession with categorizing people by race isn’t just a problem for our institutions. For multi-racial and multi-ethnic Americans, it can be intensely personal. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by journalist Natasha Alford. She...
02.21.2024
Well, Now: Is it Burnout? Or, Do You Have a Busy Brain?
Stress is all around us, but that doesn’t mean it needs to run our entire lives. According to Dr. Romie Mushtaq – a neurologist turned corporate wellness consultant – the main culprit behind our culture of stress is what she...
02.20.2024
Slate Money: I Was a Billionaire’s Right Hand
Felix Salmon sits down with Carrie Sun, whose book Private Equity: A Memoir recalls her life as the right-hand woman of a billionaire hedge fund manager. Burnt out on corporate life, Carrie wanted a low-key day job while she pursued...
02.20.2024
How To!: The Other Significant Others
In part two of our series on friendship, we’re looking at how to revitalize a relationship that began in a previous phase of life. Michelle and Blair became fast friends in grad school. That bond survived graduation, marriages, and even a...
02.18.2024
Working: How to Write Every Day and Stick to It
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to writer Amitava Kumar, whose latest novel is My Beloved Life. In the interview, Amitava discusses his habit of writing every day—a habit he strongly recommends to his students at Vassar College. Then he...
02.17.2024
Gabfest Reads: Come & Get It
David Plotz talks with author Kiley Reid about her new book, Come & Get It. They discuss how money can work in the same way as language, writing realistic dialogue, and the things we can’t let go of. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or...
02.14.2024
Well, Now: What We Get Wrong About Love
On this week’s episode of Well, Now’s ditching the flowers and grand romantic gestures we often see on Valentine’s Day. There’s tons of research about how loving relationships contribute to wellness, as well as how lacking those relationships can play a...
02.14.2024
Decoder Ring: Why Do So Many Coffee Shops Look the Same?
The eerie similarity of coffee shops all over the world was so confounding to Kyle Chayka that it led him to write the new book Filterworld: How Algorithms Are Flattening Culture. In today’s episode, Kyle’s going to walk us through...
02.11.2024
Working: A Biography With Very High Stakes
This week, host June Thomas talks to writer Adam Sisman about his two biographies of the late spy novelist John le Carré. In the interview, Adam discusses how he managed to land such an exciting project and how he was...
02.07.2024
Outward: A Short History of Transmisogyny with Jules Gill-Peterson
Outward’s own Jules Gill-Peterson has a new book, A Short History of Transmisogyny, that gives insight into a fascinating queer history that stretches across time and around the world. In this episode, Bryan and Jules dig deep into the origins...
02.06.2024
How To!: Mindful Drinking—How Cutting Down Can Change Your Life
Dry January has come and gone, but the conversation about alcohol—and rethinking our relationship with it—is still very much with us. This week’s listener, Natalie, wants to move past the abundance vs. abstinence debate and talk about a third option:...
02.02.2024
A Word: Revolutionary Recharge
A generation of activists –and well-meaning citizens– was pulled into intense social justice work by the murder of George Floyd in 2020. And the horrific crime, the fight for progess, and the backlash has taken a toll on their mental...
01.26.2024
Dear Prudence: Cheryl Strayed, My Husband Stopped Using Soap and He Stinks. Help!
In this episode, Cheryl Strayed (Dear Sugar and Tiny Beautiful Things) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about whether it’s a good idea to offer to be your platonic best friend’s housewife, how to handle a husband’s...
01.24.2024
ICYMI: The TikTok Joy of Mychal the Librarian
Candice Lim talks to Mychal Threets (@mychal3ts), a Bay Area librarian by day and beloved TikTok creator by night. In December 2023, Threets was the target of a negative tweet that called his TikToks weird. But in a shocking twist,...
01.24.2024
Well, Now: Breaking Up With Diet Culture
On this week’s episode of Well, Now, Maya and Kavita talk about practical ways to break up with diet culture with fitness instructor, speaker and educator Chrissy King. She’s the author of The Body Liberation Project: How Understanding Racism and Diet...
01.23.2024
How To!: Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
Andrew snores so badly that his cats won’t sleep in the same room as him. He’s desperate to sleep better at night, and breathe more easily during the day. On this episode of How To!, we bring on James Nestor,...
01.21.2024
What Next TBD: Have Algorithms Ruined Our Culture?
How much of our lives—our tastes, preferences and choices—have been fed to us through an interlocking, impersonal network of algorithms? Guest: Kyle Chayka, staff writer at the New Yorker and author of Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture. If you enjoy this show,...
01.20.2024
Political Gabfest: Master of Change
On this month’s edition of Gabfest Reads, John Dickerson talks with author Brad Stulberg about his new book, Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything is Changing – Including You. They discuss how to make change itself a mindset, John’s notebooks,...
01.19.2024
What Next TBD: The Great British Library Hack
When a cyberattack knocked the British Library out of commission in October of last year, a nation's researchers, scholars, students, and bookworms were left high and dry. Months later, the library is starting to come back online in limited capacity,...
01.19.2024
A Word: Send In the Clowns?
Decades before most people had heard of Barack Obama, Black Republican Colin Powell was widely believed to be on the path to the presidency. And the Republican Party was the first political home of many African Americans. But the contemporary...
01.16.2024
How To!: The Lost Art Of Connecting
Small talk has a bad reputation. It’s boring, shallow, and awkward. Who really wants to talk about the weather, again? But, when done right, it can be a cornerstone of connection. In this episode, Carvell Wallace is joined by Susan...
01.10.2024
Outward: Raquel Willis is in Bloom
This week Jules sits down with Raquel Willis, an award-winning activist and journalist whose work is dedicated Black trans liberation. Raquel’s new memoir, The Risk It Takes to Bloom chronicles her political and personal awakenings as a Black trans woman...
01.06.2024
Amicus -- The Undertow: Scenes From a Slow Civil War
On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald J Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building hoping to stop Joe Biden from becoming president. Three years later, a quarter of Americans believe the FBI instigated the events of that day. This week on...
01.05.2024
A Word: A Multiverse of Problems
Comic book films have dominated the box office for a generation, and gave many diverse actors and artists an opportunity to shine. But the genre struggled during 2023, and fans are worried that the golden age has ended for those...
01.03.2024
ICYMI: Should We Quit Romance Novels?
Candice Lim is joined by Slate senior editor Rebecca Onion to talk about their love of romance novels. The romance genre grew rapidly this past year, becoming the fastest-growing category of fiction and generating over $1.4 billion in sales revenue....
01.02.2024
How To!: Age Like an Elite Athlete
When he’s not working on How To! or coaching his daughter’s basketball team, our producer Derek John loves to play in pickup games with friends. But a serious on-court injury has kept him on the sidelines for months. Now, as...
12.23.2023
Gabfest Reads: One Woman Show
John Dickerson talks with author Christine Coulson about her new book, “One Woman Show.” They discuss the moment that inspired Coulson to tell a story in museum wall labels, her 25-years working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York,...
12.14.2023
The Waves: In Defense of Lean In Feminism
On this week’s episode of The Waves, why can’t the feminists all get along? Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR political correspondent and author of the Substack, This F**king Job. They dig into what went...

What's Slate Books about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Slate Books episodes:

Working: How Fact-Checking Can Improve Your Fiction

Political Gabfest: New Cold Wars

Dear Prudence: Bassey Ikpi, My Wife’s Bipolar Diagnosis Is Creating A Rift in Our Marriage. Help!

Outward: A History of the Gay Right with Neil J. Young

Death, Sex & Money: A Sociopath's Guide to Death, Sex, and Money

Working: How to Be Both a Critic and a Creator

Outward - Ten Bridges I've Burnt: A Memoir in Verse

Slate Money: How to Escape the Invisible Factory

Dear Prudence: Dan Pashman, My Partner Sticks Her Finger in Food to Taste Test It. Help!

How To!: Humor, Seriously!

A Word: Love, Family, and Freedom’s Ultimate Price

Well, Now: Every Deep-Drawn Breath

Gabfest Reads: The Hunter

Dear Prudence: Michael Arceneaux, My Ex Had Sex With My Brother. Help!

How To!: Supercommunicators

Working: An Acting Coach’s Tips for Beginners and Experts

Amicus: The Lies Destroying America

A Word: Freedom Fight Like a Woman

Dear Prudence: Aubrey Gordon, I Want People to Shut Up! Help!

How To!: Master of Change

Working: How to Make a “Fair” Crossword Puzzle

Well, Now: Ending Racism in Healthcare

A Word: Diversity in the Diaspora

Well, Now: Is it Burnout? Or, Do You Have a Busy Brain?

Slate Money: I Was a Billionaire’s Right Hand

How To!: The Other Significant Others

Working: How to Write Every Day and Stick to It

Gabfest Reads: Come & Get It

Well, Now: What We Get Wrong About Love

Decoder Ring: Why Do So Many Coffee Shops Look the Same?

Working: A Biography With Very High Stakes

Outward: A Short History of Transmisogyny with Jules Gill-Peterson

How To!: Mindful Drinking—How Cutting Down Can Change Your Life

A Word: Revolutionary Recharge

Dear Prudence: Cheryl Strayed, My Husband Stopped Using Soap and He Stinks. Help!

ICYMI: The TikTok Joy of Mychal the Librarian

Well, Now: Breaking Up With Diet Culture

How To!: Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

What Next TBD: Have Algorithms Ruined Our Culture?

Political Gabfest: Master of Change

What Next TBD: The Great British Library Hack

A Word: Send In the Clowns?

How To!: The Lost Art Of Connecting

Outward: Raquel Willis is in Bloom

Amicus -- The Undertow: Scenes From a Slow Civil War

A Word: A Multiverse of Problems

ICYMI: Should We Quit Romance Novels?

How To!: Age Like an Elite Athlete

Gabfest Reads: One Woman Show

The Waves: In Defense of Lean In Feminism