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Oakland Raiders punter Chris Kluwe is known for his colorful opinions and his vocal support of gay marriage. His musings are now collected in a new book, Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies: On Myths, Morons, Free Speech, Football and Assorted Absurdities.

The author was handpicked by Margaret Thatcher to write her authorized biography. Though he clearly admires Thatcher, reviewer Annalisa Quinn says that the book is no hagiography — it is staggeringly thorough, and the storytelling is vivid and interesting.

For decades, no one could crack the code to a mysterious ancient script called Linear B. In her new book, Margalit Fox tells the story of the forgotten woman who almost figured it out.

Kevin West, author and blogger, takes NPR's Lynn Neary to a farmers market to choose the summer's best produce for canning. "You take this experience ... and you put it in the jar. And six months from now we will re-experience that moment," West says.

British author Robert Aickman was considered the father of the "strange stories" genre: not exactly ghost stories, but haunted tales of inner fears and unspoken desires. Now, his work is being republished, and inspiring a new generation of writers.

Iain Banks' last novel, The Quarry, follows awkward teen Kit, his dying father Guy, and a group of Guy's former friends as they search for a possibly incriminating videotape. Reviewer Ellah Allfrey says The Quarry isn't Banks' best work, but "it doesn't disappoint."

"Today is my birthday. Today I am fifteen. Today I buried my parents in the backyard." So begins Lisa O'Donnell's novel about two sisters who find their parents dead and, instead of reporting it, decide to keep it a secret until they can make it on their own.

Robert Ingersoll was one of the most famous people in late 19th century America, but he's almost forgotten today. His crime? Biographer Susan Jacoby says Ingersoll argued against religion in public life and said "There is nothing like reading the Bible literally to make you question it."

Our latest pick for NPR's Backseat Book Club is The Red Pyramid, a tale of two kids who must rescue the world from Egyptian gods. Author Rick Riordan, a former schoolteacher, combined his obsession with books with his passion for mythology to write this book about ordinary kids doing heroic things.

We hold this truth to be self-evident: America loves pie. But each region also reserves the right to bake the treat in its own style. In United States of Pie, writer Adrienne Kane explores local takes on the ultimate American confection.