Bookmarked

The personal is always political--and vice versa. Historian Victoria Bynum talked with me about her compelling new book, Deep Roots and Broken Branches: a History and Memoir. It’s a history of her family, starting before the Civil War, which is also the history of the country. This family, like all families, has its own dynamic which is nevertheless shaped by economic and cultural forces and by wars, as this book demonstrates so powerfully.

The planet harbors a virus that kills all men and some women. But women who survive have the power to reproduce themselves. Science writer Eva Silverfine was my guest to talk about this fascinating work of speculative fiction.

Would some small decision have given you a different life? We investigated some possible answers in conversation with Rex Cole, author of the funny, thought-provoking novel Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart.

In James, Percival Everett gives Mark Twain's Jim from Huckleberry Finn his own voice and his own story. Chris Gardner and I explored this extraordinary novel.

Todd Crickmer talked with me about Scout of the Oregon Trail: The story of an American family traveling the Oregon Trail in 1852 as told by Scout, the family's dog. His memorable re-creation of the 2,000-mile journey over the Oregon Trail brings to life the real experience of an American myth.

Medicine helps us live longer, but does it help us live well, all the way to the end? Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau talked with me about Dr. Atul Gawande's profound, lucid exploration of that question. Anyone with a body should read this book, we concluded.

Is it better to ask the right question than to have all the answers? Lynn Borton, host of Choose to be Curious, joined me for a discussion of James E. Ryan's thought-provoking book, describing five essential questions.

San Marcos author Jerry Whitus talked with me about his vivid, compelling short story collection, The Innocent and Others.

Johnny B. Truant is the bestselling author of Fat Vampire, adapted by The SyFy Network as Reginald the Vampire. and over 100 other titles across many genres, including fiction and non-fiction.  We talked about his experience as an indie writer, his wide-ranging imagination, and his writing process. Truant fan Blake Farrar added his own insights.

50 years ago, a devastating explosion killed dozens in this small Missouri town. Now, nobody wants to talk about it. Author Michelle Collins Anderson talked with me about her vivid re-imagining of this real event and its lingering consequences.