Hey, it's NPR's Book of the Day. I'm Andrew Limbong. It's easy to write a punching bag.

It's easy to think up a figure in modern society who is easily derided and write a version of them into your book to poke fun and laugh at.

Linda Holmes does not do that. If that name sounds familiar, she is one of the hosts of NPR's

pop culture Happy Hour, and she's also a novelist. Her new romantic comedy back after this

is about a podcaster who has to go on all of these dates orchestrated by a social media

influencer. And it's that character, the influencer, who I think could have so easily

devolved into caricature. But in this interview, Holmes talks with NPR's Asma Khalid about

turning that character into a full, whole person. That's after the break.

In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life.

Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors.

On our new show, Sources and Methods.

NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people

helping you understand why distant events matter here at home.

Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

In the new novel, back after this, we meet Cessley Foster.

She's a hardworking podcast producer who's finally offered a big break, the opportunity to host her own show.

But there is a catch. The show is supposed to be about her love life, her quest to host her own show. But there is a catch. The show is supposed to be

about her love life, her quest to find true love by going on 20 first dates set up by an

influencer who also seems to double as a relationship coach. Back after this is written by

bestselling author Linda Holmes, who also knows a thing or two about podcasting herself.

She's the co-host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.

And she joins me now in the studios here at NPR.

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