Jay-Z is one of the most successful hip-hop artists of all time. On Fresh Air, he discusses growing up in Brooklyn surrounded by drugs and violence, and the stories behind many of his famous songs.

After a meteoric rise, GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann is now polling in the single digits. But she's still plowing ahead with her campaign and this week she came out with a memoir. The Minnesota Congresswoman talks with co-host Steve Inskeep about Core of Conviction and aiming to win the nomination.

The new book News for All the People traces how mainstream publishers and broadcasters perpetuated racism through their coverage, but also how journalists of color fought to develop a more democratic, alternative press. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with the authors about their work and where the internet stands in diversifying news.

In The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones, Jon Ronson explores the subculture of ordinary individuals who adopt superhero identities (and costumes) to patrol the streets.

Comedian Bill Maher's new book contains heartfelt essays about the condition of our country. There are also some rules — for things like typography, warning signs and lamp cords.

Kurt Vonnegut liked to present himself as the American Mark Twain, but the real man underneath that image was considerably more complicated and damaged.

Julian Barnes' Man Booker award-winning The Sense of an Ending investigates the power of self-delusion and how our memories are more edited than we believe.