From excessive hygiene to low-fiber diets, author Theresa MacPhail explores the deep-rooted causes of rising allergy rates in her new book Allergic. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Enlightenment of Katzuo Nakamatsu, The House on Via Gemito, and Cousins together form a tour of human darkness where liberation comes in many forms.(Image credit: Meghan Collins Sullivan/NPR)

Chris Carosa literally wrote the book on burgers. In Hamburger Dreams, he traces the first hamburger to 1885, and to two brothers Frank and Charles Menches.

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to author Mike Bockoven about his new book Killing It, a darkly funny story about four standup comedians who face literal death in a comedy club.

Scott Simon talks with journalist Rachel Louise Snyder. After writing an acclaimed book about domestic violence, she's out with a new coming-of-age memoir, "Women We Buried, Women We Burned."

Cartoonist Gene Luen Yang talks about the new television adaptation of his graphic novel American Born Chinese.