Books

WPR’s “BETA” talks with author Sara Sligar, who has written a suspenseful, gripping narrative that raises several questions about the nature of truth in our digital age.

John Koethe reflects on what it’s like to be alive with existential, thoughtful poetry reflecting on his life’s work in philosophy and academics.

From the excitement of a child finally landing that first fish to treasured memories of trips with loved ones, his book resonates with anyone who appreciates nature and the bonds formed around it.

Several species of bats call Wisconsin home. Naturalists herald these winged mammals as important pollinators and marvels of echolocation. Author Alyson Brokaw talked bats, bat boxes, and bat sightings on a recent episode of “The Larry Meiller Show.”

The protagonist of Maggie Su’s debut novel, “Blob: A Love Story,” is Vi Liu. Vi is a young Taiwanese-American woman who one day discovers a responsive blob and attempts to mold it into her ideal partner, Su tells WPR’s “BETA.”

Author Susan Morrison talked with WPR’s “BETA” about interviewing SNL creator Lorne Michaels, his start in television and the pressure cooker of SNL’s ambitious live format.

Payne believes education and political engagement are crucial to shaping the future of conservation. Scientific knowledge alone, he argues, is not enough.

Karen Russell’s long-awaited new novel, “The Antidote,” is well worth the wait. She talks about it with WPR’s “BETA.”

Clay McLeod Chapman’s latest book, “Wake Up and Open Your Eyes,” is a social-horror novel that blends relentless mass media consumption with the terror of demonic possession. He talks about it with WPR’s “BETA.”

Milwaukee born-and-raised writer and pop culture critic Ira Madison III has a new book that tells the story of his life through the lens of one of his greatest obsessions: pop culture.