Modern Love

There's something wonderful about sharing your favorite books with the person you're falling in love with. And Karla Derus was a longtime book lover, dating a man who was also a big reader. But Karla also had a secret. Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba ("Mrs. America") reads Karla's essay.

Ali Fazal ("Victoria and Abul") tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a man and his elderly neighbor. This is an encore presentation.

Could you use a little extra comfort and love from afar right now? We thought so. We're sharing an episode of another WBUR podcast, "Endless Thread." This is a story about processing grief, and where we turn when the people closest to us don't seem to know what to do or say to help us move forward. If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to "Endless Thread" wherever you get your podcasts. More info here: https://smarturl.it/endlessthread

Gugu Mbatha-Raw ("The Morning Show," "Misbehaviour") reads an essay about a friendship between two people who meet in a pub in Notting Hill.

Lesley Manville ("Ordinary Love") reads an essay by Sally Hoskins about finding an unexpected support group in a hospital waiting room.

Brian Cox (HBO's "Succession") reads an essay about a father grappling with how to protect his child, but also let her live her life.

What if you had to pretend your partner was a stranger for a day? Would you fall in love again? Nick Kroll ("Olympic Dreams") reads Tim Kreider's essay.

This Valentine's Day, we're bringing you an episode made up of Tiny Love Stories — stories told in no more than 100 words.

Susan Kelechi Watson (NBC's "This Is Us," "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood") reads Deborah Copaken's essay about how a lost love leads to an unexpected connection years later.

Terry Crews ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine") reads an essay by Brendan Halpin, about trying to find love again after loss.

Tan France ("Queer Eye," "Next in Fashion") reads an essay by Evan James, about a man finding his role within his family.

Love is about trust. But have you ever been tempted to breach that trust? To read someone's diary, check their text messages, or read their emails? Jessalyn Gilsig reads an essay by Joyce Maynard about facing that temptation.

Rebecca Hall who stars in the upcoming movie "The Night House," reads a story about dating -- while manic. This is an encore presentation.

Jenny Slate ("Stage Fright," "Little Weirds") reads an essay by Catherine Down about the family you find when living far from home.

Director Judd Apatow reads an essay about a date that goes very wrong. This is an encore presentation.

Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter reads a story by Eve Pell, about finding new love later in life. This is an encore presentation.

Jake Gyllenhaal ("Stronger") tells the story of a man recovering from heartbreak in a pediatrics wing.

Renée Elise Goldsberry ("Waves") reads an essay about a woman and her husband navigating the aftermath of his traumatic brain injury.

"Never tell our business to strangers." That's what Jennifer Mascia was told growing up. But it wasn't until she was an adult that she learned the reason why. Ruth Wilson (HBO's "His Dark Materials") reads Jennifer's essay about discovering a dark family secret.

"I’ve noticed that there is a strange hierarchy of handholding that dictates who gets to express physical affection without repercussions," Nicole Dennis-Benn writes in this week's Modern Love story. It's read by 15-time Grammy Award winning artist Alicia Keys, whose new single is called "Show Me Love."