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For 100 years, sufferers of leprosy were banished to Molokai, an untamed Hawaiian island. A new book chronicles how paranoia forced thousands of people to live in exile.

A new biography tells the story of Dare Wright, whose popular Lonely Doll children's books reflected her own troubled childhood. Jean Nathan discusses Dare's life with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Philip Roth has been a favorite of readers since his memoir Goodbye, Columbus emerged to help define the culture of postwar America. Now the Library of America is releasing Roth's books — a rare step for a living author.

Fear and paranoia often take hold when a disease threatens to become an epidemic. Dr. Marc K. Siegel is the author of the new book Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic.

Like many aspiring gardeners, William Alexander wondered what it would be like to be able to wander out into the yard, and pluck a ripe, juicy tomato from the vine anytime he wanted. In a new book, he explores the true costs — and joys — of working one's own soil.

If you say "pa-JAM-uzz" instead of "pa-JAHM-zz" or "yooz guys" instead of "ya'll," chances are, you're a Yankee. If you call a bag a sack, you're probably a rebel. An online quiz helps you determine how much of a Southerner you are.

Debra McCoskey-Reisert remembers her brother, Bobby McCoskey, who died from COVID. Bobby loved the song "Closing Time" by Semisonic, because they played it at dances he attended.

Peggy Lee's most memorable tune was "Fever." A biography borrows the title of the 1958 hit, which encapsulated what many remember about the singer: her playful delivery, charisma and sexuality.

As Social Security turns 70, President Franklin Roosevelt is remembered for bringing this popular government program to life. But it was Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins who led the team that created the plan for Social Security and steered it through Congress.

Mimi Valdes is editor-in-chief of Vibe magazine and a commentator for TV specials such as Black in the 80s. Her booklist features a mix of new fiction, classic drama and nonfiction.