Ruth Ozeki’s The Book of Form and Emptiness: A Novel follows 13-year-old Benny Oh, who, a year after his father’s death, begins to hear voices. They belong to random objects scattered within his home – a sneaker, a broken Christmas ornament, a piece of wilted lettuce – but in time, also a book, one that narrates his life and teaches him to listen to the things that truly matter. Moderated by Neda Ulaby, NPR arts desk reporter.
