Book excerpt: "The Satisfaction Café" by Kathy Wang
In her search to overcome loneliness and build connections, a woman from Taiwan creates a new life for herself in California, in a gently witty new novel from the author of "Family Trust."
Books
Book excerpt: "The Slip" by Lucas Schaefer
This debut comic novel, set in and around a boxing gym in Austin, Texas, pounces on issues of race, sex and gender identity in America today.
Book excerpt: "I Regret Almost Everything: A Memoir" by Keith McNally
The phenomenally successful New York City restaurateur's irreverent memoir recounts a life that was battered by a stroke, followed by an almost-successful suicide attempt.
Book excerpt: "Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change"
Atlantic staff writer Olga Khazan, a lifelong introvert, set out to change aspects of her personality she didn't like by forcing herself outside of her comfort zone. How about trying improv comedy?
From the archives: Martin Cruz Smith on writing mysteries
Martin Cruz Smith, author of such bestsellers as "Gorky Park" and "Polar Star," died on July 11, 2025, at age 82. In this "Sunday Morning" profile that aired Oct. 20, 2002, Smith talked with correspondent Anthony Mason about how he continued writing mysteries featuring Moscow detective Arkady Renko, despite being blacklisted by the Soviet Union. He also discussed the "boring" aspects of writing, and the research he conducted in Japan for his novel "December 6," set in Tokyo on the eve of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Martin Cruz Smith, bestselling author of "Gorky Park," dies at 82
Popular novelist Martin Cruz Smith engaged readers for decades with "Gorky Park" and other thrillers featuring Moscow investigator Arkady Renko.
Oprah Winfrey calls "Culpability" the must-read of the summer
Oprah Winfrey reveals her summer book club selection as "Culpability" by Bruce Holsinger.
Ron Chernow on the life of Mark Twain
The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer's latest book delves into the life, complexities and sardonic humor of a man who remains a vital presence in American culture.
Book excerpt: "Mark Twain" by Ron Chernow
The latest book from the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Ulysses S. Grant examines the life of one of America's greatest and most beloved writers.
Former NFL player Corey Parchman addresses male infertility in new book
In his book, "IVF Playbook for Men," Corey Parchman shares how stigma and lack of resources left him feeling isolated.
Book excerpt: "Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America"
Sam Tanenhaus' new biography examines the life and influence of the political commentator, magazine editor and TV debater who catalyzed America's conservative movement.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski on navigating Washington under Trump
In a polarized Washington, Alaska's senior senator is a moderate in a Republican Party dominated by President Trump. She writes about her political challenges in a new memoir, "Far from Home."
"Break on Through": How The Doors began
Sixty years ago, a new band came together in Venice, Calif., and lit the music world on fire. "Sunday Morning" joins John Densmore and Robby Krieger on a tour of where it all started for The Doors, who are being celebrated with a new book, "Night Divides the Day."
Book excerpt: "Far From Home" by Lisa Murkowski
In her memoir, Alaska's senior senator offers a message to Americans about how to get an increasingly partisan government back on track: "It's your responsibility."
Desi Arnaz: Singer, husband, dad, and the man who "invented" TV
The Cuban-born entertainer broke conventions when he co-starred with wife Lucille Ball in "I Love Lucy," playing a straight-man sitcom dad. Now, a new biography reveals his lesser-known contributions to television.
Book excerpt: "The Fate of the Day" by Rick Atkinson
Volume Two of the bestselling historian's "Revolution Trilogy" details the middle years of the War for Independence, in which George Washington's Army barely escaped annihilation by the forces wielded by King George III.
Book excerpt: "Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television"
Todd S. Purdum's biography explores the impact on American culture by the Cuban-born entertainer who (as husband and business partner of Lucille Ball) changed the rules of TV.
Oprah Winfrey reveals new book club pick, "The River Is Waiting"
Oprah Winfrey unveiled her latest book club selection, "The River Is Waiting," by Wally Lamb. It's the third time Winfrey has picked a book by Lamb.
Salman Rushdie on the 2022 knife attack that nearly took his life
Salman Rushdie has come to terms with the attempt on his life the only way he knows: by writing about it in a book. He details the experience in his first television interview since the attack.
Salman Rushdie on censorship in America today
Acclaimed author Salman Rushdie says the attack on free expression now comes from both the left and the right.
Bill Clinton and James Patterson on their new thriller, "The First Gentleman"
Former President Bill Clinton and author James Patterson have teamed up for their third book, a thriller: "The First Gentleman," in which the commander-in-chief is a woman – and her husband stands accused of murder.
Exclusive
Extended interview: Bill Clinton and James Patterson
The former president and the thriller writer previously teamed up on two #1 New York Times bestsellers. And now they've written their third thriller: "The First Gentleman," about a female president and her husband, who is on trial for murder. In this web exclusive, Bill Clinton and James Patterson talk with correspondent Tracy Smith about the process and joy of their collaborations; how the characters reflect an attitude in Washington where politics is a game; and, in the current political climate, the necessity of maintaining democracy.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern on projecting "A Different Kind of Power"
At 37 she became the world's youngest female head of government. Now a fellow at Harvard University, Jacinda Ardern talks about the importance of exhibiting kindness and empathy in politics.
Book excerpt: "The First Gentleman" by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
The former president and the bestselling author team up for their third novel, this time a thriller in which the husband of the president of the United States stands trial for murder.
The Book Report: Ron Charles on new summer reads (May 25)
The Washington Post book reviewer offers highlights from the season's fiction and non-fiction releases.
Entertainment
George Clooney on "Jay Kelly," fame and family
In his latest film, George Clooney plays a familiar role – one of the world's biggest movie stars – who nonetheless tries to reconcile professional success and his personal shortcomings.
Extended interview: George Clooney
In this web exclusive, George Clooney talks with Seth Doane about his character in Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly," playing a movie star dealing with the drawbacks of fame and living with regrets. He also discusses aging; the fun of not being typecast; his wife Amal and children; the 2024 presidential race; and why failure is an important tool.
George Clooney on "Jay Kelly," fame and family
In his latest film, "Jay Kelly," George Clooney plays a familiar role – one of the world's biggest movie stars – who nonetheless tries to reconcile professional success and his personal shortcomings. Clooney talks with Seth Doane about how he is different from the character of Jay Kelly, and what he doesn't regret about living the life of an A-List celebrity. He also talks about how he works hard to create a "normal existence" for his children.
"Inheritances": Adam Tendler's musical testimony of love, grief and memory
Concert pianist Adam Tendler had a distant relationship with his father. So, when he inherited a sum of money from his dad, he used it to commission piano works by 16 acclaimed composers, creating music that touches on a vast range of emotions encompassing grief, loss, parent-child relationships, and estrangement. Lee Cowan reports on Tendler's moving tribute, "Inheritances."
Passage: In memoriam
"Sunday Morning" remembers some of the notable figures who left us this week, including actress Prunella Scales, star of the classic British sitcom "Fawlty Towers."
Salman Rushdie on "The Eleventh Hour" and free speech
The author talks about his first fiction published since the 2022 attack that nearly killed him; his own immigrant experience in the U.S.; and what happens when freedom of speech dies.
Extended interview: Salman Rushdie
In this web exclusive, author Salman Rushdie talks with Martha Teichner about his new book, "The Eleventh Hour," a collection of short stories and a novella, and the first fiction Rushdie has published since the 2022 attack that nearly killed him.
Salman Rushdie on "The Eleventh Hour"
"The Eleventh Hour," a collection of short stories and a novella, is the first fiction Salman Rushdie has published since the 2022 attack that nearly killed him. He talks with Martha Teichner about his new book; the fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989, claiming passages in Rushdie's novel, "The Satanic Verses," insulted Islam; his own immigrant experience in the U.S.; and what happens when freedom of speech dies.
The Book Report: Ron Charles' latest picks (Nov. 2)
The Washington Post book reviewer offers highlights from fall's fiction and non-fiction releases.
The Book Report: New fiction and non-fiction (Nov. 2)
Washington Post book reviewer Ron Charles offers highlights from the latest fiction and non-fiction releases, from Caroline Lea's "Love, Sex, and Frankenstein," to Andrew Ross Sorkin's "1929," about the nation's most infamous market collapse.
Book excerpt: "The Wayfinder" by Adam Johnson
The Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winner returns with an epic tale set in Polynesia a thousand years in the past.
Book excerpt: "Love, Sex, and Frankenstein" by Caroline Lea
The author of "The Glass Woman" returns with a gripping reimagining of how young Mary Shelley created her classic horror novel.
Book excerpt: "A Guardian and a Thief" by Megha Majumdar
A National Book Award finalist, Megha Majumdar's novel is set in India in a climate-ravaged near-future.
Fust performs "Bleached"
Fust began as a solo project by frontman Aaron Dowdy out of Durham, North Carolina, before becoming a full band in 2018. Their raw, fearless sound won them praise for their 2023 studio album, and earlier this year they released "Big Ugly," their third full-length collection. Making their national television debut, here's Fust with "Bleached."
Fust performs "Jody"
Fust began as a solo project by frontman Aaron Dowdy out of Durham, North Carolina, before becoming a full band in 2018. Their raw, fearless sound won them praise for their 2023 studio album, and earlier this year they released "Big Ugly," their third full-length collection. Making their national television debut, here's Fust with "Jody."