Shelf Life

Pricing mechanisms for virtually everything in our economy are tilted in favor of sellers. William Poundstone, author of "Priceless," talks with Kai Ryssdal about why we pay what we pay for items.

We've pinpointed the reasons for the financial collapse, now what can we learn from it? Bill Radke talks to Reverend Jim Wallis, who says re-examining morals can influence a strong economic recovery.

America exports virtually every part of its culture, from TV to food. Author Ethan Watters talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book, "Crazy Like Us," and how we export our mental illnesses, too.

Paul Ingrassia talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book, "Crash Course," how much time Detroit's auto industry has to bounce back from its troubles, and what's next for the Big 3.

Katharine Brooks, director of the University of Texas Austin's Liberal Arts Centers, talks with Kai Ryssdal about what's behind the drop in teaching positions for historians and liberal arts professors.

Steve Chiotakis talks with HealthSouth co-founder Aaron Beam about his new book, "HealthSouth: The Wagon To Disaster," which chronicles the $2.8 billion fraud of HealthSouth co-founder Richard Scrushy.

Does money make people happy? Gretchen Rubin has been studying the subject and has written a book called "The Happiness Project." She talks with Bill Radke.

If you've been in the work force for any amount of time, you have been asked to collaborate. But what if you just want to do things your way? Bill Radke talks with choreographer Twyla Tharp, who wrote a book on collaboration.

Want some nice wine to go with your holiday dinner? Wine can get expensive, even though it doesn't have to. Author Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl has some suggestions for the casual wine consumer in her new book, "Drink This." She gives Kai Ryssdal a taste.

Marketplace commentators name their favorite finance and business books from the past year. Plus, see Kai Ryssdal's list of top books and his interviews with their authors.