A Handful of Good Books by NPR Hosts

Noah Adams voice on National Public Radio is instantly recognized. He has a gentle yet focused approach that is always engaging. His voice also seems to verge on the playful, putting guests at their ease, resulting in more transparency. This book is engaging, and the on-air story is only part of it. He went on a tour when this book came out, and came to Austin, Texas, where I discovered he's the same guy on air as off: just as genial, engaged and engaging. Read this book with his voice in your head, and you'll gain insights into Noah, and one of the most respected shows on radio, All Things Considered.

Ira Glass, host of This American Life, selects some of his favorite non-fiction stories from over the years (you may recognize the Malcolm Gladwell article, which got folded into his best-seller The Tipping Point.) Overall, an enjoyable collection of what feels like fantastic long-form non-fiction magazine essays. And that's a compliment.

I love Vowell's writing — she reminds me a bit of a more history-obsessed Amy Sedaris. This collection of stories, including visits to many historically-significant American sites, is a fantastic, light yet surprisingly insightful read.