NHPR Books

Authors on Main brings world-class writers to Concord, N.H. In this episode, beloved author Jenny Lawson visits the Capitol Center for the Arts to sit down with NHPR’s Rebecca Lavoie and discuss her latest book, How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay. This conversation was recorded live on April 1, 2026.

Some favorite authors offer their suggestions for summer reading, plus host Rachel Barenbaum has some books by New England authors to recommend.

This debut novel is about an itinerant Singaporean ex-con hiding from her past in different countries. And on our Book Biz segment, author Katherine Center reflects on her 20-year publishing career.

The debut novel "Homebound'" features four lives entangled across time by a computer game, saved to a floppy disk in the 1980s. And on our Book Biz segment, how audiobooks are changing publishing.

An unsettling debut novel blending romance, horror, and fairy tale elements, with nods to Frankenstein, plus in our Book Biz segment, the future of literary criticism.

A viral dystopian romance set in a corrupt surveillance state, following a mercenary who botches the assassination of the president’s son. And on the Book Biz segment, the romance genre as the engine of publishing.

A sweeping family saga that traces the intertwined lives of three generations of women, moving from war-torn Germany and Ireland to coastal Maine.

In this debut novel, we meet a Nigerian-American family set on a crash course towards each other. Plus, on our Book Biz segment, the role of agents in publishing today.

In this romantasy set in a Roman-inspired world ruled by vampires, a young woman faces a deadly competition where survival depends on mastering forbidden powers.

Through intertwining narratives, the novel follows a cast of characters in Pakistan, taking us from the chaotic cities to lawless feudal countryside. And in the Book Biz segment, how A.I. is affecting publishing.

This historical novel takes us to Poland in the late 1930s, where two young Jewish women must work together to find a missing teacher while storm clouds gather around them.

We all know what happened to Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, but what if she woke up the day after her execution and took it upon herself to seek justice?

A darkly comedic noir novel set in 1974 San Francisco following a young woman as she becomes obsessed with murder and desire after a co-worker's death, leading her to challenge her controlling husband.

“The Complex” moves between the U.S. and modern India to follow the illicit liaisons, political ambitions, and betrayals of a prominent Delhi family, unraveling in the shadow of a nation's transformation.

At the 2025 New Hampshire Book Festival, NHPR’s Taylor Quimby hosted the Children’s Keynote featuring Tui Sutherland—the beloved author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Wings of Fire series, the Menagerie trilogy, and the Pet Trouble series. This conversation was recorded before a live audience on Fri. October 3, 2025.

At the 2025 New Hampshire Book Festival, Check This Out host Rachel Barenbaum hosted "Unexpected Journeys," a panel featuring authors Rob Franklin, Tim Weed, and Annie Hartnett. Together, they discussed the literal and emotional voyages in their latest novels: Franklin’s Great Black Hope, Weed’s The Afterlife Project, and Hartnett’s The Road to Tender Hearts. From fleeing the aftermath of a "very...

NHPR, in collaboration with The Music Hall and MacDowell, presents Across the Table Conversations - a multidisciplinary talks series spotlighting emerging and established MacDowell Fellows in public conversation. Moderated by NHPR President and CEO Jim Schachter, this first event featured celebrated author Mary Gaitskill in conversation with writer and visual artist August Lamm. Mary Gaitskill is...

Patricia Cornwell is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and widely considered one of the world’s top crime writers. The 29th novel in her Scarpetta series, Sharp Force follows Dr. Kay Scarpetta as she tracks a serial killer through Northern Virginia. His pattern is to stalk victims using sophisticated technology that allows him to invade their homes and watch their every move. They awaken to a...

Authors on Main brings world class authors to Concord, N.H, and in this episode, Laura Knoy comes to the BNH Stage to sit down with Rick Ganley and discuss her debut novel The Shopkeeper of Alsace.

Authors on Main brings world class authors to Concord, N.H, and in this episode, best-selling author Jodi Picoult comes to the Capital Center for the Arts for a literary discussion of her new novel "By Any Other Name."

Authors on Main brings world class authors to Concord, New Hampshire, and in this episode, best-selling author Julia Alvarez comes to the Bank of New Hampshire stage for a literary discussion of her new novel, "The Cemetery of Untold Stories."

Authors on Main brings world class authors to Concord, New Hampshire, and in this episode, best-selling author Chris Bohjalian comes to the Bank of New Hampshire stage for a literary discussion of his new novel, "The Princess of Las Vegas."

Michael Cunningham joined us at Bank of New Hampshire Stage in Concord, NH to discuss his latest novel, Day. He was interviewed by Civics 101 host Hannah McCarthy.

Ann Patchett joined us at Bank of New Hampshire Stage in Concord, NH to discuss her latest novel, Tom Lake. She was interviewed by local author Katrina Kenison and NHPR's Morning Edition host Rick Ganley.

Join us for recommendations from literary fiction to romance; new favorites that flew under the radar but are worth seeking out.