NPR’s Andrew Limbong on “Books We Love,” the Stories That Shape Us, and the Joy of Sharing Books

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo sat down with Andrew Limbong — NPR Culture Desk correspondent and host of the Book of the Day podcast — to talk about the return of Books We Love and its companion limited-run series, Books We’ve Loved.

The ten-episode franchise, wrapping up December 4, brings NPR voices together to revisit the books that shaped them, challenged them, or stayed with them long after the last page. It’s thoughtful, surprising, and full of the kind of literary enthusiasm Andrew is known for.

Why Reading Still Matters

When asked what keeps his love of reading alive, Andrew laughed and admitted it isn’t always easy.

“There are some books where I’m in the middle thinking, woof, what am I doing?” he said. But the real fuel, he explained, is finding someone else who read the same book — whether he loved it or hated it — and diving into that conversation.

“That kind of enthusiasm is contagious,” he said. “Even if you had complicated feelings about the book, hearing somebody else’s joy sparks something.”

A Debut Novel That Surprised Him

One of Andrew’s picks this year for Books We Love is Among Friends by Hal Ebbott, a debut novel about two families vacationing together — until a major, unexpected twist sends everything spiraling.

At first, Andrew wasn’t sold. “The opening felt a little too flowery,” he admitted. “But then I’d hit a sentence that bangs. And then another. Watching a debut novelist swing like that — even when not every swing connects — made me fall in love with the book.”

The Horror Novel Everyone Was Talking About

Another standout this year is The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, a novel Andrew knew other contributors were eager to recommend.

The book blends:

a native vampire story,

an epistolary structure reminiscent of Dracula,

time jumps,

and deeply rooted Native history from the Midwest.

“It’s spooky, smart, and full of heart,” Andrew said. “And it’s perfect for readers who don’t normally pick up horror.”

Reading, Writing, and… Half Marathons

Despite hosting a daily book podcast, Andrew admitted that some days he barely reads at all. On days when he’s writing heavily about books, reading simply isn’t in the cards.

Audiobooks have helped — especially lately, as he trains for a half marathon.

“For this series, there’s been a lot of listening while sweating through a gnarly run,” he said with a laugh.

Nonfiction Picks Worth Your Time

Andrew highlighted a few nonfiction selections contributed by other NPR colleagues:

• Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly

A sharp, labor-focused look at how Spotify treats musicians — and how streaming reshapes the music industry.
Andrew compared it to analyzing automakers and auto workers: “You could write this book about Ford or GM. It’s really about how creators fit into an industry that depends on them.”

• Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs

A reflective, personal exploration of James Baldwin’s life, relationships, and legacy. Andrew praised the emotional depth and the way it reframed Baldwin for contemporary readers.

The Themes That Defined His Year

When Patricio asked whether his personal picks shared a theme, Andrew paused — then admitted something unexpected.

“I didn’t plan it this way,” he said, “but a lot of what I read this year ended up being about approaching middle age and feeling… uncomfortable about it.”

One example is The Ten-Year Affair by Erin Somers, a multiverse-styled novel about a woman with a stable life, two kids, and a simmering dissatisfaction she can’t quite name.

“It’s about imagining the roads you could have taken — and wondering why stability sometimes feels unsettling.”

Books Colleagues Made Him Revisit

NPR voices brought plenty of surprises.
Michelle Martin’s love for True Grit by Charles Portis, for instance, made Andrew rethink the power of the story — especially for young girls who saw a fierce, capable heroine take charge of her own narrative.

Another colleague convinced him to give Dune by Frank Herbert a second chance — a book Andrew abandoned as a teenager.

“Now I think I’m Dune-pilled,” he joked.

Reading With Kids: What’s Changing

As a father, Patricio asked Andrew about trends in children’s books. Andrew, who reads nightly with his two-and-a-half-year-old, said he’s become very choosy — especially with books destined to be read a thousand times.

He’s noticing a shift toward stories that go beyond simple moral lessons.

“We’re reading more ambiguous books,” he said. “Not Breaking Bad levels of ambiguity,” he laughed, “but definitely less didactic. It’s been fun to see kids’ books evolve that way.”

What’s On Andrew’s Nightstand

Right now, Andrew is juggling:

a collection of stories and poems by Ishmael Reed, and

a volume of annotated lyrics by John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats.

Two writers known for their experimentation, rhythm, and voice — fitting picks for someone who lives in language every day.

Listen to the Full Conversation

Books We Love and Books We’ve Loved are available now through the Book of the Day podcast through December 4.