Rose Friedman dies at 38 — NPR arts editor and co‑creator of Books We Love
Rose Friedman, an influential NPR arts editor who co‑created the network’s Books We Love reading guide, has died of cancer at 38. NPR’s Elizabeth Blair announced her death on-air.
Rose Friedman, an editor and reporter who helped shape NPR’s arts and culture coverage and co‑created the popular reader’s guide Books We Love, died of cancer on Thursday, 17 September, at her New York City home. She was 38. NPR’s Elizabeth Blair announced her death on-air, calling Friedman one of the network’s finest journalists. Friedman joined NPR in 2010 as an editorial assistant and rose to become a central figure on its books desk, editing reviews and features and writing appreciations of prominent figures in publishing.
NPR announces death of long‑time arts editor
Deadline reports that Friedman died of cancer at her New York home on Thursday, 17 September. NPR’s Elizabeth Blair announced the death on‑air and posted an obituary and tribute on NPR.org. In that tribute, Blair said, “Rose Friedman was an editor to the end,” and noted that Friedman asked for the second line of her obituary to acknowledge her role as a shop steward for SAG‑AFTRA and to recognise what Friedman called her “proudest achievement” — helping convince NPR to increase its paid parental leave.
A decade and a half with the network’s books desk
Friedman joined NPR in her early 20s in 2010 as an editorial assistant and later served as an editor and reporter, becoming deeply rooted in the publishing industry. She edited book reviews and longer features, and wrote appreciations of figures in the book world, including author Herman Wouk and editor Sonny Mehta. Her work made her a familiar presence in NPR’s arts coverage and the wider publishing community.
Co‑creator of NPR’s Book Concierge, later Books We Love
Friedman co‑created what began as NPR’s Book Concierge, later renamed Books We Love. The project involved reading through hundreds of titles nominated by NPR staff and critics; Friedman then narrowed that list into the reader’s guide that became a regular destination for listeners and readers. Her editorial judgment and enthusiasm for books drove the guide’s development and popularity.
Praised by colleagues and survived by partner and children
Novelist Meg Wolitzer, who worked with Friedman on NPR reviews and features, told NPR that Friedman “was voracious” and called her “a gifted, delightful, brilliant, deeply kind person.” Raised in Newton, Massachusetts, Friedman is survived by her partner, Andrew Anastasi; their two children; her parents; and two sisters. NPR and colleagues highlighted both her editorial work and her union organising on behalf of NPR’s editorial staff.