Biography & Memoir

Tonya Mosley interviews Harvard professor NAMWALI SERPELL. Her new book, On Morrison, is a close reading of Toni Morrison's entire body of work, eleven novels, the criticism, plays, and poetry

Terry Gross interviews humorist, memoirist and actress ANNABELLE GURWITCH about her new memoir called The End of My Life is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker. It is a national bestseller.

Tonya Mosley interviews Dr. MARY FARIBA AFSARI, a board-certified ob-gyn who walked away from a traditional practice, bought a 31-foot RV, and turned it into one of the country's only mobile gynecology clinics. Her book, Labor: One Woman’s Work, recounts her decision to leave traditional practice to reach communities most abandoned by our current healthcare system.

Loubna Mrie grew up in Syria, where her father was allegedly an assassin for the regime. She joined the Syrian revolution first as a protester and then as a photojournalist. Her memoir is Defiance.

poet and novelist Rachel Eliza Griffiths. Her new memoir is called "The Flower Bearers." It's in part about the day she married Salman Rushdie, which is also the day her dearest friend suddenly died. Eleven months later, Rushdie was stabbed multiple times and nearly killed while he was being interviewed onstage. She also writes about her mental health issues, her late best friend and her childhood.

Julian Barnes. His new book, "Departure(s)," is part fiction, part memoir. The memoir portion is about being diagnosed with a rare but treatable blood cancer six years ago. His 80th birthday is Monday. An earlier book, "Levels Of Life," is about grief and the death of his wife of nearly 30 years.

Cynthia Erivo, the award-winning actress and singer who stars as Elphaba in the "Wicked" films. She's also the author of a new memoir, "Simply More: A Book For Anyone Who Has Been Told They're Too Much."

Tamara Yajia grew up Jewish in Argentina, intent on becoming a child star. But just when her break was coming along, her family emigrated to California. Her new memoir is Cry for Me, Argentina.

In her new memoir, Jong-Fast writes that her mother, Erica Jong — who penned the 1973 feminist novel Fear of Flying — had become addicted to fame and couldn't bear losing it.

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates, who has just released a new book titled, "The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward." In it, she reflects on the pivotal moments that have shaped her life - becoming a mother, mourning the loss of her best friend, and learning the complex truths of philanthropy, and navigating a public divorce after 27 years of marriage.

my guest is Amanda Knox. After serving four years in an Italian prison, Knox wants to reclaim her narrative. In her first book, "Waiting To Be Heard," she focused on the details of her wrongful conviction for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Knox's new memoir, "Free: My Search For Meaning," goes beyond the events of her trial and imprisonment and explores the realities of reintegrating into society.

Hanif Kureishi's new memoir is titled "Shattered"

Author Ricky Riccardi says Armstrong's innovations as a trumpeter and vocalist helped set the entire soundtrack of the 20th century. His new book about Armstrong's early life is Stomp Off, Let's Go.

Pacino says the initial script for the Godfather sequel was so bad he nearly passed on the project — until it was rewritten. The Oscar-winning actor looks back on his life in the memoir Sonny Boy.

Alex Van Halen is a founding member of the rock band Van Halen. His new memoir is called "Brothers."

Bridget Everett stars in the semi-autobiographical series "Somebody Somewhere," which begins its third season on HBO Sunday, October 27.

Riley Keough discusses From Here to the Great Unknown, her mother Lisa Marie Presley's memoir, which Riley co-authored. Lisa Marie Presley died in 2023. She was Elvis' only child.

in a new memoir, Ina Garten takes us to where it all started, her painful childhood growing up in Connecticut, and how she went from working in the White House to becoming a beloved culinary voice despite having no prior experience in the food industry.

award-winning actor Uzo Aduba. She's written a new memoir, "The Road Is Good."

Sinclair grew up in a devout Rasta family in Jamaica. When she cut her dreadlocks at age 19, she became "a ghost" to her father. Her memoir is How to Say Babylon. Originally broadcast Oct. 4, 2023.