PBS Books

Indiana | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 106
2025-12-10 20:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Facebook Live
Fasten your seatbelt and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress for our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip: Indiana! Join us on December 10th at 8pm EST for a PBS Books Facebook Live event, or on the PBS Books YouTube channel, the PBS app, or pbs.org. Visit pbsbooks.org/readingroadtrip to learn more.
At the crossroads of America lies Indiana—a state with a literary culture as golden as an ear of corn. The Golden Age of Indiana literature gave us treasures like Booth Tarkington’s The Magnificent Ambersons, James Whitcomb Riley’s poetry about Little Orphan Annie, Lew Wallace’s epic Ben-Hur, and Gene Stratton-Porter’s environmentally conscious A Girl of the Limberlost. The 1960s and ’70s ushered in a powerful movement of Black writers, including poets Mari Evans (I Am a Black Woman) and Etheridge Knight (Poems from Prison). The Hoosier state has also brought us beloved cartoon characters like Garfield and Clifford the Big Red Dog. And no conversation about Indiana literature would be complete without Kurt Vonnegut’s dark and poignant novels such as Slaughterhouse-Five.
Today’s Hoosier writers are carrying that torch forward with equal brilliance. Hear from Newbery Award winner Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, who takes on difficult topics for kids delicately in novels like Fighting Words; YA author Leah Johnson, who shines a spotlight on underrepresented voices like You Should See Me in a Crown; and bestselling author Karen Joy Fowler, who drew inspiration from her Bloomington childhood in We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves.
This layered literary past has left landmarks throughout the state—from museums and murals to authors’ homes and locations featured in books like the Funky Bones sculpture in Newfields from John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. Indiana also boasts remarkable bookstores and libraries, including more Carnegie libraries than any other state.
About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.

Wallace House Presents: A book talk with Jake Tapper & Javed Ali
2025-12-04 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books is proud to stream a special conversation presented by Wallace House Center for Journalists at the University of Michigan and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. This insightful book event features CNN anchor and bestselling author Jake Tapper in conversation with national security expert Javed Ali.
Together, they explore Tapper’s gripping nonfiction thriller, Race Against Terror: Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer at the Dawn of the Forever War. With the precision of investigative journalism, the book follows two U.S. attorneys in a race to prosecute an al Qaeda operative following a pivotal 2011 confession. Tapper uncovers the high-stakes intelligence operation behind a dramatic yet little-known case at the outset of the War on Terror.
In this compelling discussion, learn how prosecutors, soldiers, and intelligence agents worked across borders in the pursuit of justice—and what this story reveals about the evolving threats we continue to face today.

Alaska | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 106
2025-12-03 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Pack your parka and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we make the trek to Alaska on American Stories: A Reading Road Trip! Join us on December 3rd at 8pm EST/4pm AKST for a PBS Books Facebook Live event, or on the PBS Books YouTube channel, the PBS app, or pbs.org. Visit pbsbooks.org/readingroadtrip to learn more.
Inspired by the shimmering dance of the Northern Lights and the sweeping expanse of its landscape, Alaskans have been weaving stories long before the written word. For centuries, Indigenous peoples have passed these stories down through oral traditions, dance, and artistic expression. With the arrival of adventurers like Jack London (Call of the Wild), conservationists like Margaret Murie (Two in the Far North), anthropologists like Frederica de Laguna (Travels Among the Dena), and even its first Poet Laureate John Haines (The Stars, The Snow, The Fire)–Alaska’s literary tradition has expanded in ways that continue to celebrate what makes this state so unique.
Hear from today’s writers who carry forward this deep connection to the land including Native voices like Velma Wallis, who honors the importance of preserving tribal stories in works like Two Old Women, and children’s author and illustrator Michaela Goade, who celebrates traditional wild food harvests in Berry Song. Dana Stabenow intertwines Alaska’s rich history throughout her novels, including the Kate Shugak series, and Seth Kantner explores the stark differences from life in the Far North to modern American culture in Ordinary Wolves. Nancy Lord continues the conservationist narrative with Early Warming, linking environmental stewardship to Alaska’s literary legacy.
Alaska’s vast and wild landscape lends itself to awe-inspiring places to visit, from literary landmarks like Poems in Place to inspiring guided tours through Southeast Alaska’s nature. Fly into Anchorage and pay a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and be sure to stop at Mosquito books while you wait for your plane to depart for your next location. There are many local libraries and bookstores throughout this expansive state.
About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.

"America's First Daughter" by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie | Readers Club Ep. 211
2025-11-19 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club welcomes co-authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie to discuss their New York Times best-selling historical novel America’s First Daughter. The episode premieres on November 19th at 8PM ET as a PBS Books Facebook Live event, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
America’s First Daughter tells the sweeping story of Martha “Patsy” Jefferson, the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson. From the heartbreaking loss of her mother, to traveling with her father in Paris, and standing beside him through the birth of a nation—Patsy becomes his confidante and protector. More than just a witness, she shapes American history through her strength and influence.
Grounded in thousands of Jefferson’s letters, this novel blends meticulous research with powerful, emotional storytelling. The result is a vivid and intimate portrait of a woman whose resilience and influence helped shape both her family’s legacy and the young United States.
Stephanie Dray reveals, “We really did not have to juice up much of Jefferson’s life… it gets pretty soapy, especially in the later periods. We did not invent any of that. The crazier something is an historical fiction novel, the more likely it is to be true.”
The PBS Books Readers Club will also explore Dray and Kamoie’s other bestseller, My Dear Hamilton, which shines a light on the often overlooked story of Elizabeth “Eliza” Hamilton. The novel follows her as she stands steadfastly beside her husband, Alexander Hamilton, through the triumphs and challenges of building a new nation. Together, these two novels beautifully bring the stories of remarkable women out of the shadows, giving them long-overdue recognition for their vital roles in supporting—and shaping—the men who helped found America.
PBS Watch-Alike: The American Revolution
This month’s watch-alike is The American Revolution: A Film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. This six-part documentary series explores the country’s founding struggle and its eight-year war for independence. An expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America. This series follows dozens of figures from a variety of backgrounds to paint a captivating picture of America’s founding and the war that turned the world upside down. Premiering November 16th on PBS and the PBS app.
About the AuthorStephanie Dray

Stephanie Dray is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into many languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. Now she lives in Maryland with her husband, cats, and history books.

Laura Kamoie

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction, Laura Kamoie has always been fascinated by the people, stories, and physical presence of the past, which led her to a lifetime of historical and archaeological study and training. She holds a doctoral degree in early American history from The College of William and Mary, published two non-fiction books on early America, and most recently held the position of Associate Professor of History at the U.S. Naval Academy before transitioning to a full-time career writing genre fiction.

About the Hosts
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Lauren Smith

Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!

Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.

Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

The Wright Conversations with Keith Knight
2025-11-17 20:00 - 21:00
Join PBS Books and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for a special edition of The Wright Conversations, featuring acclaimed cartoonist and comics creator Keith Knight.
Knight—recognized with honors including the Comic-Con Inkpot Award, CXC Master Cartoonist Award, Glyph Awards, and nominations for both the Eisner and NAACP Image Awards—has been using art and humor to spark meaningful dialogue for decades. He is the creator of the long-running autobiographical strip The K Chronicles, the socio-political cartoon (Th)ink, and the nationally syndicated The Knight Life. His life and work also inspired the Hulu comedy series Woke, where Knight served as co-creator, writer, and executive producer.
The Wright Conversations series invites luminaries from across art, history, and culture to engage in dynamic discussions about the most pressing issues of our time. This ongoing program celebrates creativity, civic engagement, and the power of storytelling to inspire change.
Tune in for a lively and thought-provoking conversation that blends art, activism, and laughter—all through the unique lens of one of today’s most influential cartoonists.
About the AuthorKeith Knight

Keith Knight is the creator of the weekly comic strip The K Chronicles (1993), the weekly single panel comic (Th)ink (2003), and the daily strip The Knight Life (2008). In a style and wit reminiscent of MAD magazine, Knight typically addresses serious social and political issues in his comics while incorporating his signature humor.In 2007 Knight won the Harvey Award for “Best Syndicated Strip or Panel” for his work on The K Chronicles. In celebration of his career in comic strips, Knight was awarded the Inkpot Award at San Diego Comic-Con in 2010. Woke, a television series partially based on Knight’s life, debuted on the Hulu streaming service in 2020; the second season became available in April 2022.

Louisiana | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 105
2025-11-05 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Hit the gas and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we roll into Louisiana on American Stories: A Reading Road Trip! Join us on November 5th at 8pm ET/ 7pm CT for a PBS Books Facebook Live event, or on the PBS Books YouTube channel, the PBS app, or pbs.org. Visit pbsbooks.org/readingroadtrip to learn more.
Step into a literary heritage as rich and soulful as a bowl of gumbo. From George Washington Cable’s The Grandissimes and Grace King’s Balcony Stories, which sought to capture Creole life, to Ernest J. Gaines’s powerful reflections in A Lesson Before Dying and Shirley Ann Grau’s Pulitzer Prize–winning The Keepers of the House, Louisiana writers have long explored themes of identity, justice, and belonging. Even Anne Rice transformed the mystique of New Orleans into the hauntingly gothic world of Interview with the Vampire.
Hear from celebrated contemporary voices who capture the heart and rhythm of Louisiana today. Farrah Rochon shares how she uses Louisiana as a character in all her stories including the Bayou Dreams Series, while Maurice Carlos Ruffin shines a light on underrepresented voices in The American Daughters. Author-illustrator William Joyce celebrates imagination in The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, and poet Julie Kane, in Rhythm & Booze, distills the wit and musicality of New Orleans into verse. Together, they remind us that in Louisiana, stories don’t just live on the page—they dance, sing, and celebrate the soul of a place like no other.
The trip doesn’t end there- Along the way visit the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library- housed in a beautiful and historic mansion, stop into a handful of celebrated independently owned bookstores, visit the French Quarter where you might hear someone shouting, “Stella!” from the balcony, and peek into the renowned and haunted Hotel Monteleon. These literary landmarks and so many others showcase the vast and influential history of Louisiana.
About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.

Can We Talk Across Divides? Nolan Finley & Stephen Henderson on The Civility Book | Author Talk & Town Hall
2025-11-03 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books invites you to a Virtual Town Hall Author Talk with acclaimed journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson to explore their new release, The Civility Book. Once adversarial editorial voices on opposite sides of the political spectrum, these authors have now joined forces to share an inspiring message: civil conversation is not only possible, it’s essential.
In this live, interactive event hosted by Heather-Marie Montilla, Nolan and Stephen will talk about the personal journey that led to this collaboration, the real-world challenges they’ve faced, and the everyday ways their Four Pillars of Civility can help families, friends, and communities stay connected despite differences.
Viewers will have the chance to submit their own questions during the conversation, making this more than just an author talk—it’s a town hall for anyone who’s ever wondered how we can disagree without tearing each other down.
Host

Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Guests
Stephen Henderson
Journalist
Stephen Henderson is an American journalist and winner of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and the 2014 National Association of Black Journalists Journalist of the Year Award—both received while writing for the Detroit Free Press. A native of Detroit, Henderson is a graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and the University of Michigan. Since 2015, he has been the host of Detroit Today on WDET, and in 2020, he founded BridgeDetroit, where he serves as executive editor. Henderson is cohost of One Detroit and host of American Black Journal on Detroit Public Television.
Nolan Finley
Author & Journalist
Nolan Finley has held many positions at the Detroit News since the start of his career there as a copy boy, including city editor, business editor, politics editor, and deputy managing editor. In 2000, he was named editorial page editor, where he directs the expression of the newspaper’s editorial position on various national and local issues and writes a column in the Sunday newspaper. He graduated from Schoolcraft College and Wayne State University, and in 2012, he was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. Finley was also a cohost of One Detroit on Detroit Public Television.

"The Thursday Murder Club" by Richard Osman | PBS Books Readers Club
2025-10-29 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club welcomes celebrity writer Richard Osman to discuss his best-selling novel The Thursday Murder Club. The episode premieres on October 29th at 8PM ET as a PBS Books Facebook Live event, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
The Thursday Murder Club opens in a quiet retirement village, where four unlikely friends meet each week to solve cold cases. But when a brutal murder takes place nearby, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron suddenly find themselves with their very first live investigation. Each brings a unique set of skills to the table, but can this oddball gang catch a killer before it’s too late?
A classic cozy crime with a modern twist, The Thursday Murder Club combines the charm of amateur sleuths piecing together clues with thoughtful reflections on friendship, purpose, and aging. Heartfelt, funny, and clever, it’s a mystery that appeals to adult readers of every age.
PBS Watch-Alike: The Marlow Murder Club on PBS Masterpiece
Can’t get enough of cozy murder mysteries? Don’t miss The Marlow Murder Club on PBS Masterpiece. Follow an unlikely trio of women brought together by murder and intrigue as they balance sleuthing with the ups and downs of their personal lives in a close-knit community.
About the AuthorRichard Osman

Richard Osman is an author and television presenter. His novels, The Thursday Murder Club, The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, The Last Devil to Die, and We Solve Murders were number one international bestsellers as well as New York Times bestsellers. He lives in London with his wife, Ingrid, and their cats Liesl and Lottie. The movie adaptation for The Thursday Murder Club will release in 2025, produced by Amblin Entertainment. The Impossible Fortune, the fifth book in the Thursday Murder Club series, is forthcoming.

About the Hosts
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Lauren Smith

Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!

Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.

Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

Wyoming | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 104
2025-10-22 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we explore Western literature and Wyoming lore and its influence on writers across America. From the rugged landscapes that inspired Ernest Hemingway as he finished Death in the Afternoon, to the birth of the Western genre in Owen Wister’s The Virginian, Wyoming has shaped the imagination of generations— Including Annie Proulx who drew on her years of ranching here to craft unforgettable works like Close Range and Brokeback Mountain.
Hear from celebrated contemporary voices who call Wyoming home and whose stories echo the state’s vast landscapes and cowboy heritage—Craig Johnson, author of the beloved Longmire series, and C.J. Box, creator of game warden Joe Pickett. Wyoming is also home to children’s authors who preserve local history, such as Casey Rislov—whose A Home for Steamboat was named a 2025 National Book Pick—and poets like Matt Daly, who finds inspiration in small towns and family roots.
The only route through Wyoming is the scenic route. Along the way, discover independent bookstores and the treasures of the American Heritage Center, home to the renowned Toppan Rare Books Library. From Yellowstone National Park to working dude ranches, Wyoming’s literary landscape is as expansive and unforgettable as its horizon.
About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.

Michael McAfee’s Keynote Address to the Detroit Future City Annual Forum
2025-10-20 20:00 - 21:00
Join Dr. Michael McAfee, President & CEO of PolicyLink for a powerful keynote on community, equity, and leadership in a time of deep division. Speaking to Detroit’s unique role in shaping the future, McAfee calls for a renewed commitment to “all”—a vision of justice and inclusion that goes beyond words to action. This is a call to courage, love, and nation-building, urging us to embrace a founder’s stance and create a future where everyone can thrive.

Ohio | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 103
2025-10-15 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we hit the road on American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Our next stop…the Buckeye State! The episode premieres October 15 at 8 PM ET on the PBS Books Facebook page, YouTube channel, and the PBS app.
This episode shines a spotlight on Ohio’s powerful role in shaping American literature—from Pulitzer Prize-winning poets like Mary Oliver (Devotions), Paul Laurence Dunbar (Sympathy), and Toni Morrison (The Bluest Eye) to the young Cleveland creators who gave the world Superman and changed comics forever. We also revisit barrier-breaking voices such as Virginia Hamilton (M.C. Higgins, the Great) and modernist master Sherwood Anderson (Winesburg, Ohio).
Hear from celebrated contemporary writers with deep ties to Ohio—former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove (Thomas and Beulah), bestselling science fiction author John Scalzi (Old Man’s War series), acclaimed graphic novelist Derf Backderf (Kent State), and poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib (There’s Always This Year). Each reflects on how the state’s people, landscapes, and history inspired their work.
Along the way, take a peek inside some of Ohio’s most iconic literary landmarks from authors’ homes to indie bookstores, the Mercantile Library with its 10,000-year lease, and travel the Ohio Literary Trail, discovering a state where stories are deeply rooted and endlessly alive.
About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.

Caregiving Author Talk with Emma Heming Willis
2025-10-08 20:00 - 21:00
Join PBS Books on Wednesday, October 8 at 8 pm ET | 5 pm PT for an inspiring conversation with author Emma Heming Willis about her deeply personal new book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path.

In this moving work, Heming Willis transforms her own experience of navigating her husband Bruce Willis’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis into a compassionate guide for caregivers everywhere. Drawing on her story as well as insights from leading experts, The Unexpected Journey provides clarity, courage, and practical wisdom for those facing the challenges of caring for a loved one while caregivers learn to care for themselves.
Heming Willis—an advocate, mother, stepmother, wife, and co-founder of Make Time Wellness—brings honesty, empathy, and hope to this essential conversation, led by Heather-Marie Montilla, PBS Books National Director.
This event is part of the PBS Books Caregiving series, made possible with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
Host

Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Guest
Emma Heming Willis
Emma Heming Willis is a mother, step-mother, wife, advocate, and co-founder of Make Time Wellness, a brand devoted to women’s brain health. After her husband, Bruce Willis, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, she became a passionate voice for care partners and families navigating neurodegenerative disease. Through her storytelling and advocacy, Emma hopes to help others feel less alone on the caregiving journey. This is her first book.

"The Bewitching" and "Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia | PBS Books Readers Club
2025-09-24 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club welcomes award winning author Silvia Moreno-Garcia to discuss her brand-new thriller The Bewitching, and her New York Times Bestseller, Mexican Gothic. The episode premieres on September 24th at 8PM ET as a PBS Books Facebook Live event, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
The Bewitching spans three generations of haunting. Minerva is a grad student writing her thesis on a little-known macabre author, Beatrice Tremblay, whose most infamous novel may be rooted in a real-life disappearance. As Minerva’s research deepens, she discovers eerie connections between her own life, Tremblay’s dark past, and the frightening stories passed down by her great-grandmother— suggesting a sinister force may be stalking her across time.
Dark, elegant, and deeply atmospheric, The Bewitching blends literary horror with folkloric dread, drawing readers into a web of obsession, memory, and witchcraft. Silvia Moreno-Garcia masterfully crafts a narrative where the supernatural isn’t just a threat—it’s a legacy.
The PBS Books Readers Club will also explore the eerie brilliance of Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic, a lush and chilling gothic novel set in 1950s Mexico, where ancestral power, colonial history, and biological horror converge in a crumbling mansion and the monstrous secrets hiding behind decaying walls.
Together, these haunting novels explore themes of inherited trauma, the power and peril of storytelling, the weight of history, and the fight for female agency in worlds shaped—and warped—by the past.
PBS Watch-Alike: Finding Your Roots
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Finding Your Roots- a compelling series that explores the ancestral histories of people from all walks of life, using DNA and historical records to uncover powerful family stories. While the show features a wide range of backgrounds and identities, several episodes during Hispanic Heritage Month highlight the rich, diverse roots of Latinx guests—shedding light on migration, resilience, and cultural legacy.
These stories offer a deeper understanding of Hispanic heritage and its enduring impact on American history. Watch past seasons now on PBS Passport.
About the AuthorSilvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of Silver Nitrate, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Mexican Gothic, and many other books. She has won the Locus and British Fantasy awards for her work as a novelist, and the World Fantasy Award as an editor.

About the Hosts
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Lauren Smith

Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!

Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.

Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

Georgia | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 102
2025-09-17 20:00 | Facebook Live
Join PBS Books, the Library of Congress, and the affiliated Centers for the Book for a one-of-a-kind literary adventure in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.Next stop: Georgia! The episode premieres September 17 at 8 PM ET on the PBS Books Facebook page, YouTube channel, and the PBS app.
This episode celebrates Georgia’s powerful influence on American storytelling—from Pulitzer Prize winner Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind) to the Southern Gothic brilliance of Flannery O’Connor (A Good Man is Hard to Find) and Carson McCullers (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter), and the groundbreaking voices of Alice Walker (The Color Purple), John Lewis (March), and Lillian Smith (Strange Fruit).
Hear from acclaimed contemporary authors who have called Georgia home like Sue Monk Kidd (The Secret Life of Bees), Karin Slaughter (Will Trent series), Jericho Brown (The Tradition), Carmen Agra Deedy (The Library Dragon), and Katie Mitchell (Prose to the People), as they share how the people, places, and histories of Georgia continue to inspired their legendary works.
Along the way, visit iconic literary landmarks such as historic author homes, storied cemeteries, beloved indie bookstores, Carnegie libraries, and the statewide PINES network—painting a vivid portrait of a state where stories are as enduring as its red clay and as vibrant as its communities.
About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.

Rhode Island | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 101
2025-09-10 20:00 | Facebook Live
Join PBS Books, the Library of Congress, and the affiliated Centers for the Book on for the premiere of American Stories: A Reading Road Trip—starting in Rhode Island! Tune-in September 10th at 8pm to the PBS Books Facebook Event, on the PBS Books YouTube Channel or on the PBS app.
Even the smallest state has big stories to tell. This first episode dives into Rhode Island’s rich literary legacy—from the revolutionary writings of Roger Williams and the chilling tales of H.P. Lovecraft to Edgar Allan Poe’s time in Providence and Pulitzer Prize-winner Jhumpa Lahiri’s deeply human storytelling (Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake).
Featuring interviews with award-winning writers like Anika Aldamuy Denise (Planting Stories), illustrator Christopher Denise (Knight Owl), Caldecott honoree Oge Mora (Thank You, Omu!), David Macaulay (The Way Things Work), and Elizabeth Rush (Rising). This episode explores how Rhode Island’s rugged coastline, historic architecture, and vibrant arts community continue to shape literary and visual storytelling.
We’ll also visit iconic spaces like the Providence Athenaeum, Redwood Library, and John Hay Library, and spotlight how RISD has nurtured generations of imaginative talent. From Gothic tales to contemporary voices, this is a celebration of Rhode Island’s creative spirit and enduring literary legacy.
About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.

Bipartisan Leadership Project | Governors Spencer Cox & Wes Moore on Politics with Respect
2025-09-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Facebook Live
PBS Books is proud to feature a program from the Bipartisan Leadership Project (BLP), highlighting how leaders can engage across deep differences with respect and purpose. As part of the National Press Club’s Headliners series, Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) and Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) will demonstrate how public servants on opposite sides of the political spectrum can model the civility and collaboration that Americans are yearning for in today’s polarized climate.
Governor Cox and Governor Moore may differ sharply in their policy positions, yet they share a conviction that respectful dialogue is the key to moving forward. Their leadership and the work of the Bipartisan Leadership Project underscores a commitment to elevate civility, listen to each other, and find common ground —proving that disagreement does not have to be disrespectful. In an environment intensified by recent political partisan divides, this conversation will explore how constructive discussion, and cooperation can lead to stronger communities and better governance.
How to participate: Viewers may submit questions in advance to the National Press Club by emailing headliners@press.org with GOVERNORS in the subject line. The deadline for advance questions is 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, September 4.
When & where: The program streams live on Thursday, September 4 at 1:00 p.m. ET on PBS Books.
Learn More About Our Partner:
Featured Guests

Mike Balsamo
President, National Press Club
Mike Balsamo is the national law enforcement editor for The Associated Press, helping to lead coverage of criminal justice, breaking news, and strategic initiatives across the U.S. With extensive experience in law enforcement reporting, Balsamo has covered some of the nation’s most significant stories, including the Justice Department under the Trump administration, the special counsel’s Russia investigation, and criminal cases involving Donald Trump.
Balsamo also led a groundbreaking investigation into the federal prison system, which resulted in the resignation of the Bureau of Prisons director and sparked significant legislative reforms.
A two-time winner of the White House Correspondents’ Association Award for Deadline Reporting and a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting, Balsamo has served on the National Press Club’s board for five years. Before moving to Washington, he reported for the AP in Los Angeles and New York City.

Spencer Cox
Governor of Utah
Gov. Spencer J. Cox is a husband, father, farmer, recovering attorney, and Utah’s 18th governor. He also served as the 2023-2024 chairman of the National Governors Association.

Gov. Cox has a long track record of public service, serving as a city councilmember, mayor, county commissioner and state legislator before being appointed as Utah’s lieutenant governor in 2013. He was sworn in as governor on Jan. 4, 2021.
During his first term in office, Gov. Cox cut $1.1 billion in taxes, implemented landmark changes in water law, water conservation and infrastructure planning, locked in record funding for education and teachers, enacted universal school choice and secured funds for affordable housing. A long-time advocate for suicide prevention and mental health resources, he’s become a national voice on protecting youth from the harms of social media. He also signed early education and workforce program funding, launched the One Utah Health Collaborative, and expanded opportunities for women, diverse communities and those living in rural parts of the state.
With a focus on solutions, Gov. Cox promotes respect in politics and innovation in government, works across party lines to find common ground and regularly participates in hands-on service projects. These elements were the foundation of his NGA Chair’s Initiative, “Disagree Better: Healthy Conflict for Better Policy.”
A sixth-generation Utahn, Gov. Cox was born and raised in Fairview, a town of 1,200 in the center of the state. He met First Lady Abby Palmer Cox at age 16 and they married after he returned from serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico. He attended Snow College, Utah State University and the Washington and Lee University School of Law, then clerked for U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart and worked at a Salt Lake City law firm. Several years later, Gov. Cox and First Lady Cox moved back to Fairview to raise their four children – Gavin, Kaleb, Adam, and Emma Kate – on the family farm. The governor, first lady and Emma Kate currently reside in the Kearns Mansion, also known as the Governor’s Mansion, in Salt Lake City.

Wes Moore
Governor of Maryland
Wes Moore is the 63rd Governor of the state of Maryland. He is Maryland’s first Black Governor in the state’s 246-year history, and is just the third African American elected Governor in the history of the United States.
Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on October 15, 1978, to Joy and Westley Moore, Moore’s life took a tragic turn when his father died of a rare, but treatable virus when he was just three years old. After his father’s death, his family moved to the Bronx to live with Moore’s grandparents before returning to Maryland at age 14.
Moore is a proud graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and College, where he received an Associate’s degree in 1998, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Afterward, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s in international relations and economics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.
While at Johns Hopkins, Moore interned in the office of former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke. Moore was the first Black Rhodes Scholar in the history of Johns Hopkins University. As a Rhodes Scholar, he earned a Master’s in international relations from Wolfson College at Oxford.
In 2005, Moore deployed to Afghanistan as a lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division, leading soldiers in combat. Immediately upon returning home, Moore served as a White House Fellow, advising on issues of national security and international relations.
In 2010, Moore wrote “The Other Wes Moore,” a story about the fragile nature of opportunity in America, which became a perennial New York Times bestseller. He went on to write other best-selling books that reflect on issues of race, equity, and opportunity, including his latest book “Five Days,” which tells the story of Baltimore in the days that followed the death of Freddie Gray in 2015.
Moore built and launched a Baltimore-based business called BridgeEdU, which reinvented freshman year of college for underserved students to increase their likelihood of long-term success. BridgeEdu was acquired by the Brooklyn-based student financial success platform, Edquity, in 2018.
It was Moore’s commitment to taking on our toughest challenges that brought him to the Robin Hood Foundation, where he served for four years as CEO. During his tenure, the Robin Hood Foundation distributed over $600 million toward lifting families out of poverty, including here in Maryland.
While the Robin Hood Foundation is headquartered in New York City, Wes and his family never moved from their home in Baltimore.
Moore has also worked in finance with Deutsche Bank in London and with Citigroup in New York.
Moore and his wife, First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore​, have two children – Mia and James –​ and a dog, Tucker Balti.

PBS Books Readers Club - "Bridget Jones's Diary" by Helen Fielding
2025-08-27 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club welcomes beloved British author Helen Fielding to discuss her iconic novel Bridget Jones’s Diary—a clever, laugh-out-loud reimagining of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of a hilariously imperfect modern heroine. The episode premieres on August 27th at 8PM ET on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS App.
As we celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, there’s no better time to revisit Fielding’s wildly popular twist on the Mr. Darcy love story. First published nearly 30 years ago, Bridget Jones’s Diary remains a satirical yet heartfelt exploration of the pressures women face to improve, adapt, and appear effortlessly put-together. Fielding’s Bridget is not a self-improvement success story—she’s a cultural mirror held up with charm, wit, and emotional honesty.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the book, this is a perfect summer read—funny, familiar, and still shockingly relevant. Join us for a lively conversation about Bridget’s legacy, her Austen roots, and what it means to laugh at life’s messiest moments.
PBS Watch-Alike: Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th
Just like Bridget Jones’s Diary, these PBS Masterpiece adaptations draw inspiration from the wit, romance, and rebellious spirit of Jane Austen—whose legacy we’re celebrating in her 250th birthday year.
Start with Miss Austen, a moving limited series that explores the untold story of Jane’s devoted sister, Cassandra, and the secret behind why she destroyed Jane’s private letters—revealing a tender, complicated bond between the sisters.
Then dive into Death Comes to Pemberley, a gripping whodunit that picks up where Pride and Prejudice left off—just as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s happy marriage is upended by an unexpected murder at Pemberley.
And don’t miss Sanditon, the lush, romantic adaptation of Austen’s final, unfinished novel, full of strong heroines, seaside scandal, and sharp social commentary.
About the AuthorHelen Fielding

Helen Fielding is a British author, screenwriter, and producer best known for her works Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and Bridget Jones’s Baby: The Diaries. She has two children and lives in London and Los Angeles.

About the Hosts
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Lauren Smith

Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!

Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.

Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

PBS Books Readers Club - "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus
2025-07-30 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club welcomes international best-selling author Bonnie Garmus to discuss her novel Lessons in Chemistry. The episode premieres on July 30th at 8PM ET on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS App.
Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant young chemist who struggles to be taken seriously in the male-dominated world of the 1950s. She forms a deep connection with her colleague and renowned chemist, Calvin Evans. But like science, life is unpredictable, and Zott unexpectedly finds herself a single mother, reluctantly hosting a cooking show—Supper at Six. While the show appears to be about cooking, Zott uses it as a platform to teach housewives not just about chemistry, but also to value their time and self-worth, ultimately becoming an unexpected feminist icon.
Lessons in Chemistry is a mix of humor, social commentary, and heart, exploring themes like feminism, scientific passion, and the struggle for respect in the workplace. It’s a unique and thought-provoking story that combines wit with deeper reflections on women’s roles in both science and society.
PBS Watch-Alike: The Great American Recipe
This friendly cooking competition follows home cooks from all around the country. Celebrating America’s rich culture through cuisine, this show emphasizes how food helps to shape our heritage, identity, and community. Season 4 of The Great American Recipe premieres July 11 on PBS.
About the AuthorBonnie Garmus

Bonnie Garmus is a copywriter and creative director who has worked for a wide range of clients, in the US and abroad, focusing primarily on technology, medicine, and education. From Seattle, she currently lives in London with her husband and her dog, 99.

About the Hosts
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Lauren Smith

Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!

Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.

Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

PBS Books Live at the Detroit Festival of Books
2025-07-20 10:00 - 15:00 | Eastern Market Shed 5, 2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Detroit Festival of Books – Live
PBS Books is thrilled to present exclusive live coverage from the 2025 Detroit Festival of Books at the historic Eastern Market. Join us on Sunday, July 20, for a day-long celebration of storytelling, identity, and community. This free virtual event is made possible through the generous support of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), with additional support from Michigan Humanities and the Detroit Festival of Books.
Throughout the day, tune in for live author interviews, cultural conversations, and behind-the-scenes festival coverage, streaming nationally on all PBS Books digital platforms. In-person attendees can visit the PBS Books booth—shared with Michigan Humanities—to meet PBS Books hosts Fred Nahhat and Lauren Smith, and connect with fellow book lovers from around the region.
This event is produced in partnership with the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM).
The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible.
Stay Connected & Watch Live:

PBS Books YouTube: @PBSBooks
Facebook: facebook.com/PBSBooks1
Instagram: @pbsbooks
LinkedIn: PBS Books LinkedIn
PBS App: Watch Free on PBS App

Shop books and support PBS Books via our Bookshop page – a portion of proceeds supports more author events and library resources.
Spotlight on Great Michigan Read Author Curtis Chin
PBS Books & the Centers for Asian American Media (CAAM) have proudly partnered in spotlighting Curtis Chin, Detroit native and author of the acclaimed memoir Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, selected as the 2025–2026 Great Michigan Read. Join us for a special on-site conversation with Curtis, where he’ll explore themes of family, identity, and community rooted in his experience growing up in Detroit’s Chinatown.
Curtis will also share insights into his broader body of work:

“Who Killed Vincent Chin?” – We’ll reflect on the groundbreaking 1987 PBS film that awakened national conversation around race and justice.
“Vincent Who?” – Curtis’s own follow-up documentary, diving deeper into the lasting impact of Vincent Chin’s murder on Asian American identity and activism.
“Dear Corky” (2022, PBS American Masters) – A tribute to pioneering photographer Corky Lee and a powerful look at documenting Asian American history.
A sneak preview of Curtis’s upcoming film about Chinese American paper artist Warren King, capturing the intersection of art, memory, and diaspora.
And so much more!

In addition to his live festival appearance, PBS Books will premiere a full-hour recorded author talk with Curtis Chin—captured at the Detroit Public Library’s Main Branch on Friday, July 18—that will be made available video on demand.
Festivalgoers can also meet Curtis Chin in person at the PBS Books booth for book signings and casual conversations throughout the day.
Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of books, voices, and the power of community.
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Featured Speakers
Revisiting Who Killed Vincent Chin? | One Detroit
Nearly four decades after the documentary Who Killed Vincent Chin? premiered, the filmmakers Christine Choy and Renee Tajima-Peña, alongside Detroit Public TV’s Juanita Anderson, join Detroit-area filmmaker Chien-An Yuan to talk about the making of the documentary, the civil rights movement they covered in real-time, and the significance the film still holds nearly today.

America250 Reading List
2025-07-09 20:00 - 21:00
This Independence Day, PBS Books is proud to present the America250 Reading List—a curated literary journey that celebrates the path to American freedom and commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
As our nation prepares to mark 250 years of independence, we invite readers of all ages to reflect on the people, events, and ideals that forged the United States. This special reading list brings together compelling titles across three distinct genres—nonfiction, historical fiction, and children’s literature—to illuminate the courage, complexity, and conviction behind America’s founding.
???? Nonfiction – Not Just for the History Enthusiast
Dive into meticulously researched works that provide powerful insights into the Revolution and the broader context of American independence that are written in a novelist style. These books reveal untold stories and broaden our understanding of the era—from George Washington’s leadership and the complexities of Indigenous and African American experiences, to the moral struggles that defined the fight for liberty.
Highlights include:
1776 by David McCullough
Founding Mothers and Ladies of Liberty by Cokie Roberts
African Founders by David Hackett Fischer
The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
???? Historical Fiction – For the Story Seekers
Experience the era of revolution through the eyes of unforgettable characters brought to life by gifted storytellers. These novels blend fact with fiction, immersing readers in personal dramas set against the backdrop of historical transformation. Whether following the bold disguise of a woman soldier or the trials of Eliza Hamilton, these stories add human depth to our nation’s founding.
Featured titles include:
A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
The Traitor’s Wife by Allison Pataki
America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs
???? Children’s Books – For Young Patriots
Inspire the next generation with accessible, engaging, and age-appropriate books that bring the American Revolution to life. These titles are packed with colorful illustrations, fascinating facts, and heroic figures—from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to the everyday kids and families who shaped history.
Perfect picks include:
History Smashers: The American Revolution by Kate Messner
Guts & Glory: The American Revolution by Ben Thompson
Washington, Adams, and Jefferson by C.A. Worman
Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson
The History of the American Revolution by Emma Carlson Berne
Whether you’re revisiting the founding ideals of our democracy or discovering them for the first time, the America250 Reading List offers something for every reader. We hope these books spark thoughtful conversation, deeper understanding, and a renewed appreciation for the values that continue to shape our great nation.
Explore the full list below and join us in celebrating 250 years of the American spirit—through the power of books.

This page contains affiliate links; PBS Books will earn a commission for any purchases made through these links.

PBS Books Readers Club: Our Favorite Cozy Murder Mysteries
2025-06-25 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club hosts a special event sharing Our Favorite Cozy Murder Mysteries from Masterpiece and the authors who wrote the amazing novels that inspired them. The episode premieres on June 25th at 8PM ET on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS app.
For years, Masterpiece has been bringing renowned murder mystery novels to life through fantastic adaptations. In this special episode, we’ll feature interviews like Robert Thorogood (The Marlow Murder Club), Anthony Horowitz (Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders), and Daisy Coulam (executive producer and writer of Grantchester). Our hosts will explore the key elements of a great cozy mystery novel, with insights from past interviews on crafting intricate puzzles and developing memorable characters. The hosts also share their favorite cozy murder mystery book recommendations.

“I don’t expect the reader to fail to guess who the killer is. There’s normally only 4 or 5 suspects, but the game, and it is a parlor game, is can I smuggle the killer past you? Because when you’re reading a book and you see the reveal of who the killer is and you didn’t see it or you discounted that person long ago, the thrill you get is so intoxicating. And I’m sort of chasing that thrill when I try and write a book.” – Robert Thorogood, The Marlow Murder Club

Our PBS watch-alike this month is the Masterpiece Cozy Mystery PBS pledge program. For over 50 years, Masterpiece has been home to captivating crime dramas, with cozy mysteries emerging as fan favorites. These lighthearted stories feature amateur sleuths in tight-knit communities, focusing on puzzles and characters rather than violence. Shows like Grantchester, Miss Scarlet, Magpie Murders, and The Marlow Murder Club offer a feel-good take on crime, filled with twists, humor, and charm. We’re celebrating these uplifting, fast-paced mysteries for their unique, comforting appeal.
About the Hosts
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Lauren Smith

Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!

Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.

Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

Filmmaker Talk: Behind the Scenes of Caregiving
2025-06-18 20:00 - 21:00
Join us for a special PBS Books Filmmaker Talk featuring Director and Senior Producer Chris Durrance as he takes you behind the scenes of the powerful PBS documentary Caregiving. Hosted by PBS Books National Director Heather-Marie Montilla, this in-depth conversation explores the making of the film and its companion shorts, sharing the stories and challenges of caregiving across America.
Caregiving — narrated by award-winning actress Uzo Aduba and executive produced by Bradley Cooper — is a poignant two-hour documentary that premieres nationwide on PBS on June 24, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET and is currently available for streaming on the PBS App and website. The film highlights the personal experiences of millions of caregivers — both paid and unpaid — revealing their daily challenges and triumphs while placing caregiving within the broader cultural and economic context of the U.S. care system.
In the Filmmaker Talk, Chris Durrance shares insights on the innovative storytelling approach that includes not only the feature documentary but also 18 short films, which capture diverse caregiving stories from communities nationwide. Together with Heather-Marie Montilla, he discusses the importance of recognizing caregiving as a universal act of kindness and community, and how sharing stories can spark greater empathy and support.
Whether you are a caregiver or someone who wants to better understand this vital role in our society, this program offers a meaningful look at caregiving’s many dimensions and encourages viewers to join the conversation.
Watch the PBS Books Filmmaker Talk stream live on YouTube, Facebook, and the PBS App.
For more about Caregiving and to share your own story, visit wellbeings.org/share-your-story and join the national conversation using #ShareYourCaregivingStory.
Host

Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Guest
Chris Durrance
Director & Senior Producer Caregiving, Producer at Ark Media
Chris Durrance is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, who is director of the forthcoming PBS series, Caregiving. Durrance worked on more than a dozen films for Frontline, three presidential biographies and an independent documentary on gerrymandering – Slay the Dragon – which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. He is the winner of a Peabody, two Emmys, a duPont-Columbia silver baton and an Overseas Press Club award. Recently, Durrance directed two major PBS series on science and medicine – Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies and The Gene. He is the founder of Seven One Eight Studios.

Gary Graff: 501 Essential Albums of the ‘80s
2025-06-12 20:00 - 21:00
Reflecting on one of the most vibrant decades in music history, acclaimed music journalist and author Gary Graff joins host Fred Nahhat to discuss his latest work, 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s.
Host
Fred Nahhat
Sr. VP, Production & Host, Detroit Public TV | PBS

Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

Author Talk: Mac Barnett
2025-06-11 20:00 - 21:00
Join PBS Books for a joyful, laugh-out-loud, and insightful conversation with Mac Barnett, the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, as we celebrate the power of storytelling to spark curiosity, build empathy, and nurture lifelong readers.
In this delightful interview, Mac chats with Heather-Marie Montilla about the magic of picture books and why they deserve a spot on every bookshelf—child and adult alike. With humor, heart, and imagination, Mac reflects on his journey as a beloved children’s book author and shares how young readers often bring the deepest insights to the stories he creates. From Sam and Dave Dig a Hole to President Taft Is Stuck in the Bath, Mac’s work is filled with wonder, surprising turns, and an open invitation to think, laugh, and connect.
This ambassadorial appointment is made possible through a collaboration between the Library of Congress, the Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader. As the 9th National Ambassador, Mac brings his signature wit and creativity to the role—championing picture books as one of the great, and often underappreciated, literary forms.
Don’t miss this engaging conversation that celebrates reading together, building community through books, and the storytelling that shapes thoughtful, imaginative young minds.
Host

Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Guest
Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett, the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, is a New York Times best-selling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than thirty languages and sold more than five million copies worldwide. Mac Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book Awards, three E. B. White Read-Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, the Netherlands’ Zilveren Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the cocreator, with Jon Klassen, of the Substack Looking at Picture Books, as well as Shape Island, a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Mac Barnett lives in Oakland, California.

Wisdom Keepers
2025-06-04 20:00 - 21:00
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Join PBS Books National Director Heather-Marie Montilla in conversation with Wisdom Keepers host Ray Suarez and executive producer Dr. William Baker.
This exclusive conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Wisdom Keepers, a profound new docuseries exploring life’s essential questions through interviews with leading thinkers in philosophy, faith, science, and ethics. The series premieres June 9, 2025 on the PBS App.
More than a preview, this discussion invites viewers to reflect, listen, and engage in meaningful dialogue about belonging, hope, and the pursuit of wisdom.
You can watch Wisdom Keepers on the PBS app or on PBS.org.
Watch Wisdom KeepersHost

Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Guests

Ray Suarez
Veteran journalist Ray Suarez was most recently the host of Al Jazeera America’s daily news program, Inside Story. Before coming to AJAM, Suarez spent 14 years as a correspondent and anchor at public television’s nightly newscast, The PBS NewsHour where he rose to become chief national correspondent. During his years at The NewsHour, Suarez covered the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, four presidential elections, among hundreds of other stories. In 2004, and again in 2008, Suarez moderated presidential candidates debates broadcast on PBS and HDnet. Before PBS NewsHour, Suarez was the Washington-based host of NPR’s Talk of the Nation for six-and-a-half years. The New York Times called Suarez the “thinking man’s talk show host,” and “a national resource.” Along with years of daily deadline journalism, Suarez has done extensive work in long-form broadcast storytelling. During his decades as a broadcaster, Suarez also did extensive work as a writer. He wrote the 2013 companion volume to the PBS documentary series, Latino Americans. In 2005 he published an examination of the tightening relationship between religion and electoral politics, The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America. His first book looked at the decades of transition in urban America, The Old Neighborhood: What We Lost in the Great Suburban Migration (Free Press, 1999). Over the years many organizations and institutions have recognized and honored Suarez and his work. He was a co-recipient of two DuPont-Columbia Silver Baton awards, for coverage of the 1994 South African elections, and the Gingrich Revolution and the 1995 Republican takeover in the House of Representatives. UCLA’s School of Public Policy awarded Suarez its Public Policy Leadership Award for his coverage of urban America, and his coverage of global public health has won national and international citations, including four CINE Golden Eagle Awards. The National Council of La Raza gave Suarez its Ruben Salazar Award, and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists inducted him into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2010. Suarez holds a BA in African History, from New York University, where he won the Parke Honor in History and the K.Y. Daaku Prize in African Studies. He began his studies at the University of Chicago after winning a Benton Fellowship there in 1991, and later completed an MA in the Social Sciences. In 2005, NYU named Suarez a Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds 14 honorary doctorates from colleges and universities across America.

William Baker
William Franklin Baker is an American broadcaster, author, academic, and explorer.
Baker directs the Bernard L. Schwartz Center for Media, Education, and Public Policy at Fordham University, where he is a Journalist in Residence and professor in the Graduate School of Education. He is also a Distinguished Professor of Media & Entertainment at IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain, and Professor President Emeritus of WNET (New York’s public television station). He teaches a business class at the Juilliard School in New York City.
Baker has received seven Emmy Awards, including the 1987 Trustees Emmy Award. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has been inducted into the Management Hall of Fame by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. He received the Mark Schubart award from the Lincoln Center Institute. He has also received two Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Awards and the Gabriel Personal Achievement Award. In 2016, he was honored by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for his work in the performing arts.

PBS Books Readers Club - "We All Live Here" by Jojo Moyes
2025-05-28 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club welcomes international and New York Times best-selling author Jojo Moyes to discuss her brand-new novel We All Live Here. This episode premieres May 28th at 8PM ET on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS app.
Lila Kennedy’s life is in chaos. Her marriage is over, her two daughters are acting out, her house is falling apart, and her elderly stepfather seems to have moved in. She is struggling to maintain some semblance of a career, and her love life is anything but simple. So, when her estranged father- who vanished to Hollywood 35 years ago- shows up at her house, Lila thinks she can’t take any more. However, Lila soon discovers that even the most complicated relationships can teach you profound lessons about love and what it truly means to be family.
We All Live Here is a heartfelt, funny, messy family drama that is full of surprises. It’s a reminder that even the family we think we can’t forgive may have something to teach us about love.
PBS Watch-Alike: Caregiving
This new documentary executive produced by Bradley Cooper is set to premiere on PBS on June 24th at 9p.m. ET. As the aging baby boomer generation and increasing life expectancy put immense pressure on caregiving in America, the nation’s long-term care system is on the brink of crisis. This film humanizes this pressing national issue by sharing stories from caregivers and featuring interviews with experts who are working tirelessly to ensure that caregivers receive the security and support they so selflessly offer to others.
About the AuthorJojo Moyes
Jojo Moyes is a #1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter whose beloved books have captivated readers around the world. Her works include the global bestseller Me Before You, along with its sequels After You and Still Me, as well as The Giver of Stars, Someone Else’s Shoes, The One Plus One, and the short story collection Paris for One and Other Stories. Her novels have been translated into 46 languages, have topped charts in 12 countries, and have sold over 57 million copies worldwide. Me Before You alone has sold more than 15 million copies and was adapted into a major motion picture starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin.
Jojo’s work has been featured in Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club and the Richard and Judy Book Club. She is also part of the BBC Maestro platform, where she teaches a course on Writing Love Stories. In addition to her fiction, Moyes is an accomplished screenwriter and a former journalist. She lives in London, England.
About the Hosts
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Lauren Smith

Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!

Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.

Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

Author Talk: "Tell Me Everything" by Elizabeth Strout
2025-05-21 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books will highlight Mental Health Awareness month with a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Strout about her book Tell Me Everything.
Join us for this conversation on May 21st at 8PM ET on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS app.
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout explores the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of a murder investigation in Crosby, Maine. The novel delves into the lives of its beloved characters, including Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge, as they navigate friendship, love, and the search for meaning in their lives. Through poignant storytelling, Strout captures the essence of connection and the impact of shared experiences on our understanding of life.
About the Author
Elizabeth Strout
Elizabeth Strout was born in Portland, Maine, and grew up in small towns in Maine and New Hampshire. From a young age she was drawn to writing things down, keeping notebooks that recorded the quotidian details of her days. She was also drawn to books, and spent hours of her youth in the local library lingering among the stacks of fiction. During the summer months of her childhood she played outdoors, either with her brother, or, more often, alone, and this is where she developed her deep and abiding love of the physical world: the seaweed covered rocks along the coast of Maine, and the woods of New Hampshire with its hidden wildflowers.
During her adolescent years, Strout continued writing avidly, having conceived of herself as a writer from early on. She read biographies of writers, and was already studying – on her own – the way American writers, in particular, told their stories. Poetry was something she read and memorized; by the age of sixteen was sending out stories to magazines. Her first story was published when she was twenty-six.
Strout attended Bates College, graduating with a degree in English in 1977. Two years later, she went to Syracuse University College of Law, where she received a law degree along with a Certificate in Gerontology. She worked briefly for Legal Services, before moving to New York City, where she became an adjunct in the English Department of Borough of Manhattan Community College. By this time she was publishing more stories in literary magazines and Redbook and Seventeen. Juggling the needs that came with raising a family and her teaching schedule, she found a few hours each day to work on her writing.
About the Host
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Percival Everett Delivers Bauder Lecture at CAALS
2025-05-07 20:00 - 21:00
Join us for the 36th Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series (CAALS), featuring acclaimed novelist Percival Everett, the 2024 National Book Award winner for Fiction.
Percival Everett will deliver the prestigious Bauder Lecture in the Marygrove Theatre. As the latest distinguished guest in Marygrove Conservancy’s lecture series, Everett will read from his works, discuss his literary career, and engage with audience questions.
Everett is the author of 24 novels, including Erasure, which was adapted into the award-winning film American Fiction. His most recent novel, James, is a New York Times best-seller that reinterprets Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the runaway slave Jim. He has received over a dozen major literary awards, cementing his place as one of the most celebrated contemporary American authors.
You can watch Percival Everett’s Bauder Lecture on May 7th, 2025 at 8PM ET on the PBS Books YouTube channel.
Explore more with Percival Everett
July 2024 Readers Club Pick: James – Check out our exclusive conversation with Percival Everett about his bestselling novel here.
Can’t wait for the lecture? Experience Everett’s literary impact firsthand by exploring his body of work, including James, Erasure, and So Much Blue.

PBS Books Readers Club - "Miss Austen" by Gill Hornby
2025-04-30 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club welcomes international best-selling author Gill Hornby to discuss her novel Miss Austen. The episode premiered on April 30th at 8PM ET on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS app.
Opening in 1840s England, two decades after her beloved sister Jane’s death, elderly spinster Cassandra Austen returns to the vicarage of Kintbury on a mission to collect and destroy letters written by Jane. Cassandra must navigate time, strained relationships, and a meddling housemaid while on her mission to protect her late sister’s legacy. With each letter she reads, floods of vivid memories resurface, bringing both joy and sorrow.
Miss Austen weaves a story that blends the youthful promise and romance of early years with the hard-earned wisdom of experience.
In the interview, Hornby discusses her research and writing process, the joys and challenges of revisiting the world and writing style of Jane Austen, her recommended reads, and more.

“Cassandra didn’t just do Jane’s reputation a service by burning so many letters, she did me a great service as well because she created all these holes in Jane’s life story… and it was into there, into those pockets, that I could put my imagination.” – Gill Hornby

PBS Watch-Alike: Miss Austen, an adaptation of Hornby’s novel, comes to life on screen in a limited series on PBS Masterpiece. The four-part show will premiere Sunday, May 4th at 9pm EST.
About the Author
Gill is a journalist whose debut novel, The Hive, sold to Little, Brown UK in a heated auction. US rights were pre-empted by Reagan Arthur Books. It’s about a group of women who meet at the school gates each day and – under the guise of the school’s charity committee – scheme, support, compete and jostle for position in their unspoken but fiercely run hierarchy. The book was published in the UK in May 2013 and went straight into the top ten bestseller list. Gill’s second novel, All Together Now, was published in June 2015 (Little, Brown UK)— the Daily Telegraph described it as ‘a sparkling comedy of manners’.
In January 2020 her first foray in historical fiction, Miss Austen (Cornerstone), was published to critical acclaim and instant anticipation, appearing on many ‘Books to Watch in 2020’ lists and receiving glowing reviews in the national papers. Called ‘pitch perfect’ by Kirsty Wark and ‘deeply imagined and deeply moving’ by Karen Joy Fowler, it retells the life of England’s most famous female novelist from the perspective of her forgotten sister, Cassandra, and examines the real-life mystery of why she burned so many of Jane’s letters, a conundrum which has baffled literary historians for centuries. Miss Austen was a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. It has been developed as a four-part television starring Keeley Hawes by the BBC.
Gill’s Hornby’s Godmersham Park returns to the life of the celebrated Regency novelist with the deeply moving tale of a young governess in the Austen family. It was published by Cornerstone in June 2022, and became a Sunday Times Bestseller shortly after. Waterstones selected the paperback of Godmersham Park as their Fiction Book of the Month for January 2023. It had recently been optioned by Federation Stories and Bonnie Productions for TV.
Gill is currently working on her third novel in the Austen series, to be published by Century.
About the Hosts
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

Lauren Smith

Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!

Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.

Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.

A Conversation on Free for All: The Public Library
2025-04-23 20:00 - 21:00
Join PBS Books for an enlightening conversation exploring the transformative power of public libraries in America. This special event, created to support the upcoming Independent Lens film Free for All: The Public Library, features an in-depth discussion with filmmakers Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor, as well as a thought-provoking conversation with Cindy Hohl, President of the American Library Association.
Filmmakers Logsdon and Faulknor offer a behind-the-scenes look at their documentary, which traces the evolution of public libraries from their revolutionary beginnings to their role today as essential pillars of democracy, education, and community support. Inspired by the heroic efforts of librarians during Hurricane Katrina, the film examines the historic and ongoing challenges facing libraries, from budget cuts to book bans, while celebrating their resilience and continued relevance.
Additionally, Cindy Hohl provides expert insight into the current state of America’s libraries, the fight for the Freedom to Read, and the critical role libraries play in fostering inclusion, knowledge, and civic engagement.
Hosted by Heather-Marie Montilla, this PBS Books event will also feature the official film trailer for Free for All: The Public Library, offering viewers an exclusive preview of this inspiring documentary.
Where to Watch: Tune in live on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS app
Don’t miss this engaging conversation about the past, present, and future of America’s public libraries.
About the Host

Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.

About the Guests

Lucie Faulkor
Lucie Faulknor is an arts management and documentary film professional. Founder at Serendipity Films, LLC, she produced the award-winning documentary Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans. Lucie has worked with SFJAZZ, City Arts & Lectures, Dublin Fringe Festival, and more. She holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration.

Dawn Logsdon
Dawn Logsdon produced, directed, and edited Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans, and co-directed Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton. Her editing credits include Jacques Pepin: The Art of Craft, The Weather Underground, Paragraph 175, The Castro, The Vanishing Line, and Have You Heard From Johannesburg among others.

Cindy Hohl
President, American Library Association
Cindy Hohl, director of policy analysis and operational support at Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library is the 2024-2025 president of the American Library Association (ALA).
Hohl is past president of the American Indian Library Association and is an active member of other ALA affiliates, including the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, Black Caucus of ALA, Chinese American Librarians Association, and REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking. Hohl is also a member of several round tables: Intellectual Freedom Round Table, Library Research Round Table, and Social Responsibilities Round Table.
Hohl holds a Bachelor of Science in Organization Management and Leadership from Friends University, a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University, and a Master of Business Administration from Baker University.
