Author Talk: Catherine Newman
2026-01-14 20:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit)
PBS Books invites audiences to a special Author Talk featuring New York Times bestselling author Catherine Newman, presented as part of the PBS Books Caregiving Initiative. Hosted by Heather-Marie Montilla, National Director of PBS Books, alongside Juliane Morian, Library Director at Rochester Hills Public Library, this live conversation will explore Newman’s novels Sandwich and Wreck—two deeply resonant stories that reflect the humor, tenderness, and emotional complexity of caring for others and navigating family life.
Newman’s work is celebrated for its ability to illuminate the everyday moments that shape our lives, blending warmth, wit, and honesty. During this conversation, she will discuss how Sandwich and Wreck examine the evolving dynamics of family, responsibility, and love, and how storytelling can offer comfort, recognition, and connection for caregivers at every stage of life.
The PBS Books Caregiving Initiative shines a light on the many aspects of caregiving. This program acknowledges that nearly everyone will be, has been, or is currently a caregiver, and aims to foster understanding, empathy, and support through shared stories and meaningful dialogue.
Support for the PBS Books Caregiving Initiative is provided by the generous support of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, and AARP Michigan, with additional support from The Library Network and Rochester Hills Public Library.
About the Books
SANDWICH: A Novel

From the beloved author of We All Want Impossible Things, a moving, hilarious story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch, and learning to let go.
For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.
This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.
It’s one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.

WRECK: A Novel
Following the success of her New York Times bestseller, Sandwich, Catherine Newman returns with her eagerly anticipated novel, WRECK a story filled with humor, heart, and the complicated truths about family, marriage, and the unexpected twists of life.
WRECK reunites readers with Rocky and her wonderfully quirky family two years after their Cape Cod vacation. Now living in Western Massachusetts, Rocky navigates the chaos of adult children moving back home, the daily complexities of marriage, and her father moving in under her roof. Everything seems ordinary until a local accident and a medical scare turn her world on its side.
With Newman’s signature wit and wisdom, WRECK masterfully portrays the challenges and joys of family while exploring the unspoken rules of relationships and self-discovery. J. Courtney Sullivan describes the novel as “a delight” with prose that’s “laugh-out-loud funny” and “profound.” Alison Espach praises it as “the kind of book that pulls up a chair, pours the wine, and dives deep—equal parts hilarious, sharp, and achingly sincere.” Perfect for fans of warm, witty, and deeply relatable storytelling, WRECK captures the humor and heartbreak of everyday life with unforgettable charm and wisdom.

About the Author
Catherine Newman
Catherine Newman is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoirs Catastrophic Happiness and Waiting for Birdy, the middle-grade novel One Mixed-Up Night, the kids’ craft book Stitch Camp, the best-selling how-to books for kids How to Be a Person and What Can I Say? and the novels We All Want Impossible Things, Sandwich, and Wreck. She has been a regular contributor to the New York Times, Real Simple, O, The Oprah Magazine, Cup of Jo, and many other publications. She writes Crone Sandwich on Substack and lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

About the HostsHeather-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.
Juliane Morian
Juliane Morian is the Library Director at Rochester Hills Public Library.

Unbowed and Unbroken: The Enduring Struggle for Justice | MLK Keynote Memorial Lecture
2026-01-19 10:00 - 11:30
The University of Michigan presents 40th Annual Keynote Memorial Lecture featuring Donzaleigh Abernathy and Derrick Johnson: “Unbowed and Unbroken: The Enduring Struggle for Justice”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., taught us that the pursuit of justice is neither linear nor easy. On December 11, 1964, Dr. King accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and gave a speech entitled “The Quest for Peace and Justice.” In it, he said:

“But before we reach the majestic shores of the Promised Land, there is a frustrating and bewildering wilderness ahead. We must still face prodigious hilltops of opposition and gigantic mountains of resistance. But with patient and firm determination, we will press on…”

As we honor Dr. King’s legacy, we center our reflection and action around the theme: Unbowed and Unbroken: The Enduring Struggle for Justice. This theme calls on us to embody both the refusal to yield to injustice and the irrepressible resolve to answer the call to equality, even when the path is steep and the journey long.

To learn more about the MLK Symposium, visit https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium/

About the Speakers

Donzaleigh Abernathy
Donzaleigh Abernathy is the youngest daughter of civil rights leader Rev. Ralph David Abernathy and godchild of Martin Luther King, Jr., grew up at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, witnessing and participating in pivotal events such as the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery march. She and her siblings helped integrate schools in the South and observed historic decisions shaping American law, including the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. Abernathy later authored “Partners to History,” contributed to the Smithsonian, and won awards for her dramatic works.
Abernathy has been a prominent speaker on civil rights and implicit bias, addressing audiences at major conferences and universities, including Harvard and Michigan State. She’s had a distinguished acting career in acclaimed films and television, produced educational documentaries, and written and performed plays celebrating African American history. She has also served as a foundation trustee, CDC spokesperson, and volunteers for juvenile justice in Los Angeles.
Derrick Johnson
Derrick Johnson has served as President and CEO of the NAACP since 2017, guiding the organization through a period of revitalization. Under his leadership, the NAACP has launched impactful initiatives such as the Facebook “Log Out” campaign against misinformation, the Jamestown to Jamestown Partnership marking 400 years of African history in America, and the “We Are Done Dying” campaign highlighting healthcare inequities. Johnson also led the successful 2020 Supreme Court case protecting DACA recipients and has taken strong stances on issues like blackface, church burnings, and the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Born in Detroit and a graduate of Tougaloo College and South Texas College of Law, Johnson has dedicated his career to advancing civil rights and improving communities, especially in Mississippi. As state president of the NAACP in Mississippi, he championed voting rights and education, helping secure millions in local improvements. Johnson is a respected legal and academic contributor, guest-lecturing at institutions such as Harvard Law School and appearing regularly in national media to advocate for justice and equality.

"Once There Were Wolves" by Charlotte McConaghy | Readers Club Episode 301
2026-01-28 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club is excited to kick off its third season with New York Times bestselling author Charlotte McConaghy to discuss her novel Once There Were Wolves and shed light on her brand-new highly acclaimed novel Wild Dark Shore. The episode premieres on January 28th at 8PM ET as a PBS Books Facebook Live event, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
Once There Were Wolves follows Inti Flynn as she arrives in the remote Scottish Highlands with a bold mission: to reintroduce gray wolves to a landscape ravaged by overgrazing. Fierce, determined, and carrying her own bruised history, Inti believes restoring the wolves is the key to healing the land—and perhaps herself. But when a man from the community turns up dead, suspicion falls squarely on the pack. To protect the animals she’s worked tirelessly to save, Inti makes a fateful choice that entangles her in a mystery far more human than anyone expects.
Lyrical, haunting, and deeply atmospheric, Once There Were Wolves blends environmental suspense and our unique bond with animals with an intimate portrait of trauma, sisterhood, and resilience. It’s a riveting story that asks how we learn to trust again—in nature, in one another, and in ourselves. It’s perfect for readers who crave emotional depth wrapped in a gripping, propulsive narrative.
PBS Books Readers Club will also glimpse into McConaghy’s newest novel, Wild Dark Shore. This emotional thriller follows Dominic Salt and his three children, lone caretakers of a remote island’s seed vault as climate change closes in. When a mysterious woman named Rowan washes ashore during a brutal storm, their fragile isolation and buried secrets begin to unravel. As the sea rises and the truth about Rowan’s past—and Dominic’s—comes to light, trust is tested, loyalties shift, and the stakes become more than just survival.
About the Hosts
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 she 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.

Lauren Smith
Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit PBS, 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!

Deepa Butoliya | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-01-30 20:00 - 21:00
Design Beyond the Center: Stories of Jugaad, Resilience, and Collective Knowledge
Deepa Butoliya is a designer, researcher, and educator whose work celebrates human ingenuity and creativity in the face of constraint. Born and raised in India and now based in the United States, she explores how design practices from around the world — especially those rooted in improvisation, resilience, and care — can expand how we think about innovation.
Her ongoing research centers on Jugaad, a Hindi term meaning ​“making do with what you have.” More than a practice, Jugaad represents a mindset of resourcefulness and adaptability. Deepa’s work traces this spirit of everyday creativity across cultures and connects it to movements of resistance and repair. In Detroit, she co-curated Jugaad in the D: Ingenuity and Resistance in Detroit and Motown Masala, exhibitions that highlight the city’s vibrant culture of grassroots innovation and collective resilience.
Trained as both an architect and industrial designer, Butoliya holds degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has taught at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Illinois at Chicago, and has worked with organizations including the Development Lab at MIT and GE Healthcare. Her research and workshops have been presented at international conferences such as IDSA, Making Futures, EPIC, CHI, IASDR, and Speculative Futures.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

Washington | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 108
2026-02-04 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Buckle up and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit the state of Washington on our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on February 4th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT 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.
Download the Washington BooklistJoin us in the Evergreen State to hear about the legacy of writers shaped by their time in the Pacific Northwest—from sci-fi legends like Frank Herbert’s iconic Dune series and Octavia Butler’s speculative Parable of the Sower to more lighthearted tales like Tom Robbins’ satirical novel Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Rediscover powerful classics like the short stories and poems of Raymond Carver (Cathedral) and the fictional reckoning with the Asian American experience during WWII in John Okada’s No-No Boy.
Hear from today’s writers living in Washington’s vibrant literary scene who have a knack for blending genres: Jess Walter’s comedy thriller So Far Gone, Donna Barba Higuera’s (The Last Cuentista) fusion of Hispanic heritage with science fiction, and Timothy Egan’s (The Big Burn) riveting narrative nonfictions that retell American history. Alongside them are authors who share stories often left untold, including Coast Salish writer Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe and her memoir Red Paint, and Frank Abe’s reflections on mass injustice in the propelling graphic novel We Hereby Refuse.
Amid the mountains and thousands of miles of coastline lies a book lover’s paradise. Washington boasts a thriving independent bookstore scene—with island bookshops and fantastic libraries, including the Seattle Central Library, which houses over one million books and doubles as an architectural landmark. But it’s not just brick-and-mortar institutions that inspire travelers; the landscape itself sparks literary imagination. The lush green Hoh Rainforest serves as the stunning backdrop for novels like the Twilight series, while the rugged peaks and misty shores have long fueled the region’s storytelling tradition.
Episode Book ListAbout 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.

Julia Keefe and the Indigenous Big Band | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-02-06 20:00 - 21:00
Resilience and Brilliance in Indigenous Jazz
For hundreds of years, songs have been the vessels for stories, lessons, and prayers for the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. One of the newest additions to this world is the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band, which presented its very first concert in 2022. The band focuses on reimagined traditional melodies made famous by Indigenous jazz musicians from the past, like singer Mildred Bailey (Coeur d’Alene) and saxophonist Jim Pepper (Kaw/​Mvskoke), as well as new works that push the genre forward.
Led by the celebrated vocalist and luminary Julia Keefe (Nez Percé), the ensemble brings charisma, passion, and purpose to every stage, leaving audiences both inspired and educated. The band has quickly gained a reputation for deepening and challenging our understanding of the ​“uniquely American” art form known as jazz. The goals of the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band are to celebrate and continue that tradition, to compose and perform new music inspired by traditional backgrounds, and to create a community of like-minded peoples from all backgrounds to uplift the next generation of Indigenous jazz musicians.
Indigenous jazz musicians, ensembles, and big bands have their place in the contemporary jazz world and jazz history. Following 19th-century federal policies to remove Indian children from their homes and indoctrinate them into European culture (Indian Boarding Schools), small ensembles and big bands began to flourish on reservations across the US and Canada in the first half of the Twentieth Century. Indigenous musicians started to ascend to celebrity with jazz as their medium – including Russell ​“Big Chief” Moore, Mildred Bailey, Oscar Pettiford, and Jim Pepper – but were never duly credited as Indigenous visionaries in the genre.
The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band reflects a wide range of Indigenous identities, from South America to Canada, Northeast to Southwest. Together, they represent a long-silenced, long-forgotten chapter of jazz history: the participation, contribution, innovation, and legacy of Indigenous jazz musicians. This is a legacy that seasoned composers and arrangers Julia Keefe and co-founder Delbert Anderson (Diné) carry forward through original works inspired by songs and rhythms of their Native heritage, reimagined through the language and stylings of jazz.
Presented in partnership with the University Musical Society, the talk will be followed by the band’s performance presented by UMS, beginning at 8 PM.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

Filmmaker Talk with Kim A. Snyder, "The Librarians"
2026-02-11 20:00 - 21:00
In this timely PBS Books Filmmaker Talk, award-winning director and producer Kim A. Snyder joins host Heather-Marie Montilla for an in-depth conversation about The Librarians, the powerful new documentary that examines the growing national debate over access to information and the freedom to read.
Created in conjunction with the February 9 premiere of The Librarians on PBS, the film follows librarians across the United States who find themselves on the frontlines of an escalating struggle over library collections, intellectual freedom, and democratic values. During this conversation, Snyder reflects on the four-year journey behind the film, from its origins in Texas to its expansion into a national story.
The discussion also explores the human dimension of the film: the integrity and courage of librarians, the communities that stand beside them, and the broader implications for education, public life, and First Amendment rights. Grounded in storytelling rather than partisanship, The Librarians invites viewers into a necessary conversation about who gets to decide what stories are available—and why that question matters to us all.
This PBS Books Filmmaker Talk encourages audiences to reflect, engage, and continue the dialogue in their own communities, libraries, and classrooms.
The Librarians will stream on the PBS App and PBS Stations, check your local listings.

PBS Watch-Alike: Independent Lens | The Librarians
The Librarians traces how library collection standards are impacting communities across the U.S. Librarians find themselves on the frontlines of debates as they navigate the review of library materials that includes books with LGBTQIA+ and race-related themes.

Rick Lowe | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-02-13 20:00 - 21:00
In Spite Of
Rick Lowe is an American artist who pairs paintings, drawings, and installations with collaborative, community-based projects developed in the tradition of Joseph Beuys’ concept of ​“social sculpture.” Working closely with individuals and communities, he has identified many ways to harness creativity to address concerns around equity and justice. Beginning with his co-founding of Project Row Houses (1993 – 2008) in Houston’s Third Ward and continuing through other initiatives across the United States and internationally, Lowe aims to catalyze sustainable change to promote understanding, equity, and justice.
In his studio-based practice, Lowe combines painting and collage to develop works — often at an expansive scale — that take an exploratory approach to geography and abstraction. Inspired in part by patterns of domino games that he plays to engage with community members worldwide, he notes correspondences between the dense, layered arrangements of domino tiles and maps of urban districts. The vibrant paintings that emerge suggest cartographic configurations and transformations of civic structures and relationships over time.
Born in Russell County, Alabama, Lowe lives and works in Houston. Since 2016, he has taught at the University of Houston’s College of the Arts as a professor of interdisciplinary practice. Among his many honors, he received the Heinz Award in the Arts and Humanities in 2002, was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2014, and was the Roy Lichtenstein Artist in Residence at the American Academy in Rome in 2024.
Lowe has been working as part of the U‑M Arts Initiative’s Creators on Campus program as artist in residence with the Institute for Social Research (ISR) over the last two years, collaborating with students and researchers in preparation for his upcoming exhibition at UMMA. The exhibition, featuring his ongoing project, Black Wall Street Journey, will open in August 2026.
Presented in partnership with the Institute for Social Research, Arts Initiative, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

U.S. Virgin Islands | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 109
2026-02-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit the U.S. Virgin Islands in our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on February 18th at 8pm ET 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.
Download the US Virgin Islands BooklistJourney to the Caribbean paradise of the U.S. Virgin Islands, where history drifts on the ocean breeze and stories ripple far beyond the shores. Rooted in generations of oral and written tradition, these narratives stretch from the formidable youth of Alexander Hamilton, who would help shape a nation, to D. Hamilton Jackson, whose fight for a free press forever changed the islands and founded The Herald. This legacy had endured with voices like Dr. Marilyn Krigger, (Race Relations in the U.S. Virgin Islands), and J. Antonio Jarvis, founder of the Daily News and author of The Virgin Islands and Their People, each carrying forward dialogs that continue to define the islands today.
Hear from the writers shaping the U.S. Virgin Islands’ literary present and future. Cadwell Turnbull’s The Lesson uses speculative storytelling to interrogate colonial legacy, power, and resilience, while Tiphanie Yanique, author of Monster in the Middle, brings a lyrical intimacy to island life and its complexities. Angela Golden Bryan’s James and the Fireburn preserves and elevates Crucian storytelling traditions, connecting past and present through story. Discover The Caribbean Writer, the annual journal that amplifies voices from across the islands and the Caribbean diaspora, and explore a literary heritage rooted in memory, imagination, and the enduring power of the written word. Together, these works reflect a profound engagement with history, identity, and place.
The islands may be small, but their devotion to books, history, and cultural memory is immense. Be inspired by statues honoring the Queens of the Fireburn, whose courage helped ignite a labor revolution that reshaped the islands. Wander streets lined with buildings dating back to the 1500s, and explore historic landmarks like Fort Christian on St. Thomas—once a bulwark against pirates. Along the way, step into local bookstores that do far more than sell books; these spaces serve as vibrant cultural hubs, fostering art, conversation, and community while keeping the islands’ stories alive for generations to come.
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.

Basil Twist | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-02-20 20:00 - 21:00
The Alchemy of Puppetry
Basil Twist is a visionary, third-generation puppeteer whose work has reshaped contemporary puppetry worldwide. A San Francisco native and the only American graduate of France’s École Supérieure Nationale des Arts de la Marionnette, he gained national attention with The Araneidae Show and the ground-breaking multiple award-winning Symphonie Fantastique, which revealed him as a singular artist of unlimited imagination. His inventive, genre-defying productions — from Petrushka and Dogugaeshi to Arias with a Twist (co-created with nightlife icon Joey Arias) — have toured internationally.
Deeply musical in nature, Twist’s love of music has led to major opera collaborations at the Opéra Comique, English National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and Vienna State Opera. Other operatic highlights include Hansel and Gretel and La Bella Dormente Nel Bosco, and De Falla’s Master Peters Pupper Show with Eos Orchestra.
In dance, he has created puppetry for works by Christopher Wheeldon, Pilobolus, the Joffrey Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Royal Ballet, and Joe Goode Dance Company, and adapted Petrushka for symphony orchestras and City Center’s Fall for Dance.
Twist created the siblings in Paula Vogel’s The Long Christmas Ride Home at Trinity Repertory, The Long Wharf, and The Vineyard Theatre, including directing and designing the West Coast première at The Magic Theatre. He also designed the play-within-a-play for Oskar Eustis’ Hamlet at Shakespeare in the Park and worked on Des McAnuff’s Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots at La Jolla Playhouse. Broadway credits include puppetry design for Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Oh, Hello!, and The Addams Family, as well as puppetry direction for the Pee-Wee Herman Show. A longtime collaborator with the late Lee Breuer and Mabou Mines, Twist also worked on Peter and Wendy, Red Beads, and A Streetcar Named Desire at the Comédie Française.
Twist has received a MacArthur Fellowship, Rome Prize, Guggenheim Fellowship, Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, USA Fellowship, and multiple Obie, Drama Desk, Bessie, UNIMA, and Henry Hewes Awards. He directs the internationally recognized Dream Music Puppetry Program at HERE in New York City.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

Book Picks for Black History Month with Princess Weekes and Lauren Smith | Readers Club Episode 302
2026-02-25 20:00 - 21:00
In this special episode of the PBS Books Readers Club, hosts Princess Weekes and Lauren Smith recommend their favorite Black History Month reads. The episode will be available on PBS Books YouTube Chanel on February 1st, and as a Facebook Live Event on February 25th at 8pm EST.
February is Black History Month, and in 2026 we mark a major milestone: 100 years of national Black history commemorations. What began as a weeklong observance has grown into an annual opportunity to reflect, learn, and celebrate Black history, culture, and contributions. In this special episode, PBS Books Readers Club hosts Lauren Smith and Princess Weekes share book recommendations that spotlight and celebrate Black authors.
Princess reflects, “I think so often Black literature is used for educational or sociological purposes. And that’s great, but we have rich narratives outside of that. So, I was looking for stories about Black people being complicated, messy, and trying to find love— because, you know, I love a romance!”
Which books make the list? From a sweeping reimagining of The Great Gatsby to a gritty Southern crime saga, this list spans intimate family histories, cultural touchstones, and stories that wrestle with faith, desire, and belonging. Expect bold voices, moral reflections and unforgettable communities. Join Lauren and Princess as they reveal their picks and share a few on their personal TBR lists.
PBS Watch-Alike: Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven HistoryThis new PBS documentary series hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the deep, complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans across U.S. history. Tracing moments of solidarity, shared struggle, cultural exchange, and periods of tension, the series examines how these two communities have shaped American life—While also reflecting on the challenges and need for cooperation in the face of ongoing injustices.
Series premiere Tuesday, February 3rd @ 9ET, on PBS, the PBS app and pbs.org
About the Hosts
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 she 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.

Lauren Smith
Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit PBS, 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!

Arkansas | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 110
2026-03-04 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Fasten your seatbelts and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Arkansas on our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on March 4th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT 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.
Download the Arkansas BooklistFrom the Ozark Mountains in the north, to the flat farmlands of the Delta, Arkansas has been inspiring writers for generations. In the small town of Stamps, Maya Angelou found her voice again and immortalized it in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In Little Rock, journalist and activist Daisy Bates (Long Shadow of Little Rock) stood on the steps of Central High School, mentoring the Little Rock Nine through one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Southern fiction writers like Charles Portis (True Grit) and John Grisham (A Painted House) proved that Arkansas stories could captivate the world, and poets like Miller Williams (Some Jazz a While), Henry Dumas (Poetry for My People), and C.D. Wright (Lake Echo, Dear) ensured its literary legacy ran just as deep.
The Natural State’s sweeping landscapes and layered histories continue to foster bold imaginations today. Speculative writer Ayana Gray (I, Medusa) and children’s book author Katie Duffield (Start Your Engines) both credit Arkansas’ rich sense of place as a creative wellspring. And writers like Daniel Black (Isaac’s Song) and Eli Cranor (Don’t Know Tough) take an unflinching look behind the curtain of Southern life, exploring the beauty and the struggle with honesty.
For book lovers, Arkansas is as much a destination as it is an inspiration. The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) boasts remarkable branches that champion local literature, while independent bookshops across the state proudly support homegrown talent. Literary pilgrims can also walk in the footsteps of their favorite characters — tracing Mattie Ross’s journey from True Grit along the trail from Dardanelle to the real-life courtroom of Judge Isaac Parker, now preserved as part of a national historic site.

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.

Iowa | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 111
2026-03-11 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Buckle up and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Iowa on our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on March 11th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT 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.
Download the Iowa BooklistBetween the mighty Mississippi and Missouri rivers lies Iowa, a state steeped in stories. Before statehood, Chief Black Hawk gave voice to his people through his dictated autobiography, Life of Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, a rare and powerful firsthand account of the Sauk people’s forced removal during the Black Hawk War. Another long-overlooked voice is Mildred Benson, a novelist and journalist who wrote over 100 books in her lifetime, including 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew mysteries under the pen name Carolyn Keene.
Another significant Iowan is Forrest Spaulding, who turned his belief in free speech into action, authoring the landmark Library Bill of Rights — a document still used today to affirm that libraries have the right to curate their collections and that readers have the right to choose what they read.
Iowa has also shaped the literary world through the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, which counts among its alumni celebrated and award-winning authors like John Irving (The World According to Garp) as well as multiple U.S. Poets Laureate, including Rita Dove (Thomas and Beulah).
Among the celebrated alumni of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop is Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley, whose time in Iowa inspired novels like A Thousand Acres and The Last Hundred Years saga. Hear how Iowa shaped her stories, alongside New York Times bestselling authors who still call the state home today, including thriller writer Heather Gudenkauf (The Overnight Guest) and romance author Denise Williams (How to Fail at Flirting).
Iowans love their libraries! With 544 public libraries, the state ranks 8th in the nation per capita for registered borrowers, and with local branches that serve their communities all the way up to the grand State Law Library in Des Moines, it’s no wonder. Book lovers can also embark on a statewide tour of independent bookstores featuring over 40 stops, coordinated by the owner of Green Dragon Books in Fort Dodge. And no literary tour of Iowa would be complete without a visit to Iowa City, one of only a handful of UNESCO Cities of Literature in the world, where the celebrated Literature Walk pays tribute to the writers and words that have shaped the state’s rich storytelling tradition.

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.

Nevada | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 112
2026-03-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
Saddle up and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Nevada for our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on March 18th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT 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.
Download the Nevada BooklistNevada — the Silver State — is known for its long history of mining and the bright lights of Las Vegas. But there is far more to this vast state than the neon glow of the Strip. It is where Samuel Clemens worked as a frontier reporter and adopted the pen name Mark Twain, wrote Roughing It, and went on to become one of America’s most notorious authors. Where Sarah Winnemucca survived the forced displacement of her people, rose to become a fierce activist for Indigenous rights, and penned her powerful memoir Life Among the Paiutes. As settlers pushed westward chasing silver and gold, stories traveled with them, from tall tales of frontier life to John C. Frémont’s expedition accounts of the Great Basin. And no conversation about Nevada literature would be complete without Walter Van Tilburg Clark’s morally gripping The Ox-Bow Incident and Robert Laxalt’s portrait of immigrant identity in Sweet Promised Land.
Nevada’s literary scene is very much alive today. Current Nevada Poet Laureate Shaun Griffin (Anthem for a Burnished Land) has built a legacy both on and off the page, teaching creative writing in prisons and working to expand those programs across the state. Former Poet Laureate Gailmarie Pahmeier also contributes to the state’s creative landscape with Of Bone, of Ash, of Ordinary Saints, a love song to Nevada and all the strangers that pass through. Robert Laxalt’s grandson Gabriel Urza (The Silver State) carries on the family’s storytelling tradition, reflecting Nevada in his own acclaimed works. And nonfiction writer Michael Branch (On the Trail of the Jackalope) uses humor and sharp observation to shed light on real environmental concerns facing the American West.
From the towering aspens of the Sierra Nevada to the open plains of the Great Basin, Nevada offers a wealth of literary destinations worth exploring. In Reno, the Downtown Reno Library impresses visitors with its living plant installations and almost otherworldly atmosphere, while The Radical Cat bookstore doubles as a cat adoption center, and the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame celebrates the state’s rich literary legacy. In Southern Nevada, book lovers can enjoy Las Vegas’s vibrant arts scene while visiting The Writer’s Block and checking out another literary gem, the West Las Vegas Library. Each year, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko brings together voices that keep the spirit of the American West 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.

Shaka Senghor | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-03-20 20:00 - 21:00
How To Be Free
Shaka Senghor is an inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, and author of the bestselling books How To Be Free, Writing My Wrongs, and Letters to the Sons of Society. A sought-after resilience expert and recognized ​“Soul Igniter” in Oprah’s inaugural SuperSoul 100, Senghor captivates and transforms audiences worldwide with his extraordinary journey from incarceration to influence. Through raw authenticity and profound insight, he shares not only his story but also the resilience practices that fueled his own remarkable transformation, showing that reinvention is not just possible — it is within everyone’s reach.

In How To Be Free, Senghor offers a roadmap for breaking free from the self-doubt, past narratives, and fear of failure he calls ​“Hidden Prisons.” Drawing from lessons he learned during his 19 years in prison — including seven in solitary — he reveals the mindset and daily practices that transformed his life and can help anyone build their own foundation of freedom. Through journaling, meditation, mindfulness, and creative expression, he shows how to turn vision into action and step into full potential, from deepening relationships to achieving career success.
Listening to How To Be Free, audiences learn to transform setbacks into comebacks, discover sustainable joy, cultivate composure under pressure, turn vulnerability into strength, break cycles of grief and shame, protect their energy while supporting others, and create a personal blueprint to true freedom. Senghor provides both inspiration and practical steps, making real change feel possible, proving that freedom starts now.
With support from the Prison Creative Arts Project.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

Debbie Horsfield: Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Forsytes | Readers Club Episode 303
2026-03-25 20:00 - 21:00
This March, the PBS Books Readers Club takes on John Galsworthy’s classic novel series The Forsyte Saga, a historical drama series and the inspiration for the highly anticipated PBS Masterpiece program, The Forsytes.
In this special episode, the PBS Books Readers Club welcomes one of Britain’s most celebrated television writers, Debbie Horsfield, Head Writer of The Forsytes. The episode premieres on March 25th at 8PM ET as a PBS Books Facebook Live event, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
The Forsytes is a sweeping drama about a powerful Victorian family bound by wealth, tradition, and social expectations. Drama ensues as family members are tested by love, ambition, and betrayal. As fortunes rise and fall, one question echoes across generations: Do you adhere to duty…or do you follow your heart?
Debbie reflects, “I think one of the themes of the of the series is… do you follow your head, or do you follow your heart? Even if you follow your heart, does it guarantee that it’s the right decision? If you follow your head, does it guarantee it’s the wrong decision?
Join PBS Books Readers Club hosts Fred Nahhat and Lauren Smith as they talk with The Forsytes series Head Writer and Executive Producer, Debbie Horsfield on how she approached this stunning reimagining of John Galsworthy’s classic Forsyte Saga novels to offer a fresh entry point and a deeper look into the world of the Forsyte family. Part prequel, part re-examination, the series expands the story by bringing the women of the family to the forefront, revealing the personal costs of privilege in late-Victorian England. It’s a lush, emotionally rich epic filled with romance, conflict, and unforgettable characters.

PBS Watch-Alike: The ForsytesDesire, ambition and betrayal simmer at the heart of the sumptuous costume drama, The Forsytes. Don’t miss the US premiere of this highly-anticipated drama on Sunday, March 22, 2026, 9/8c only on MASTERPIECE on PBS.
The Forsytes chronicles the trials and triumphs of a wealthy Victorian stockbroking family, whose generations find themselves torn between tradition and the personal pursuit of happiness. Inspired by John Galsworthy’s celebrated Forsyte Saga novels, The Forsytes portrays events that take place before those covered in Galsworthy’s books.

Sheida Soleimani | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-03-28 20:00 - 21:00
What a Revolutionary Must Know
Sheida Soleimani is an Iranian-American artist, educator, and activist. The daughter of political refugees who escaped Iran in the early 1980s, Soleimani makes work that excavates the histories of violence linking Iran, the United States, and the Greater Middle East. In working across form and medium — especially photography, sculpture, collage, and film — she often appropriates source images from popular/​digital media and resituates them within defamiliarizing tableaux.

The composition depends on the question at hand. For example, how can one do justice to survivor testimony and to the survivors themselves (To Oblivion)? What are the connections between oil, corruption, and human rights abuses among OPEC nations (Medium of Exchange)? How do nations work out reparations deals that often turn the ethics of historical injustice into playing fields for their own economic interests (Reparations Packages)? How may the layering of memory and familial history both report fact, and produce a reckoning with the intimate resonances of a geopolitics of violence (Ghostwriter)? In contrast to Western news, which rarely covers these problems, Soleimani makes work that persuades spectators to address them directly and effectively.
Soleimani’s work is held in permanent collections including the Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, MIT List Visual Art Center, and Kadist Paris. Her work has been recognized internationally in both exhibitions and publications such as The New York Times, Financial Times, Art in America, and Interview Magazine, among many others. Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Soleimani is also an assistant professor of Studio Art at Brandeis University and a federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Presented in partnership with the Institute for the Humanities.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

Shana Moulton | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-04-04 20:00 - 21:00
Whispering Pines
Shana Moulton is an artist who works in video and performance. Her work blends feminist sensibilities with surrealist imagery and sound to probe the complexities of the contemporary psyche.

Her ongoing Whispering Pines series investigates self-help culture, the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment, and the often comical absurdities of personal wellness rituals. Across performances, videos, and installations, Moulton uses her alter ego, Cynthia, to craft narratives that are both deeply personal and widely relatable, exploring the shifting boundaries between the mundane and the mystical in an era of global digital capitalism. Cynthia is in constant pursuit of fulfillment through new-age kitsch, self-help paraphernalia, and cosmetic rituals. The series takes its name from the mobile home park where Moulton grew up, located between Fresno, California, and Yosemite National Park.
Through these works, Moulton transforms ordinary objects, domestic rituals, and everyday spaces into intimate, surreal landscapes that reflect on anxiety, consumerism, and the search for meaning in contemporary life.
Her work invites audiences into a playful yet contemplative world, where humor and vulnerability coexist, encouraging reflection on the ways we navigate self-care, technology, and personal transformation in the modern age.
Moulton’s videos have appeared in exhibitions and screenings around the world, with presentations at venues and festivals such as The Armory Show Art Fair, New York; Smack Mellon, Brooklyn; Loop ​’05 Video Festival, Barcelona; Rencontres internationales Paris/​Berlin, Paris; Aurora, Edinburgh; Dark Light Festival, Dublin; Impakt Festival, Utrecht; Internationale Kurzfilmtage, Oberhausen; Canada Gallery, New York; and Bellwether, New York.
In Partnership with the Ann Arbor Film Festival.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

The CAALS Bauder Lecture with Marlon James
2026-04-08 20:00 - 21:30
PBS Books is thrilled to partner with the Marygrove Conservancy’s Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series (CAALS) to welcome Marlon James, winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize as the featured speaker for the 2026 Bauder Lecture live streaming event.
Marlon James is a critically acclaimed Jamaican author whose work blends rich storytelling, historical insight, and imaginative scope. He is the recipient of the 2015 Man Booker Prize for his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, which was hailed for its epic narrative and unflinching exploration of Jamaica’s history. His other novels, including Black Leopard, Red Wolf and Moon Witch, Spider King, have cemented his reputation as a master of contemporary literature, known for his bold narratives, complex characters, and lyrical prose.
James’s writing traverses genres—from historical fiction to fantasy—while always illuminating profound questions of identity, power, and human experience. His work has garnered international recognition and has been celebrated for its fearless creativity and depth.
Join us for an inspiring evening as Marlon James shares his insights, experiences, and reflections on the craft of writing as part of this signature Marygrove Conservancy lecture series.
This event is made possible by major sponsors, including the Lillian and Don Bauder Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, the CME Group Foundation and Detroit PBS.

Ismail Einashe | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-04-10 20:00 - 21:00
Migration as Imagination
Join Ismail Einashe, award-winning British-Somali writer and 2025 – 2026 Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow, for a deeply personal presentation exploring how art can reclaim the humanity of migrants and their stories, too often lost in the headlines of global displacement.

Drawing on a decade of reporting on migration, his work alongside artists including Mona Hatoum, Arshile Gorky, Tania Bruguera, and his recent book Strangers by Tate Publishing — as well as his own journey from Somalia to Britain — Einashe will recontextualize the migrant experience as an act of imagination, showing how art has the ability to challenge our dominant cultural narratives and bring us closer to the struggles and humanity of people we too easily categorise as ​“strangers.”
Ismail Einashe is an award-winning journalist and author whose work on migration and refugee issues has appeared in numerous publications – including Foreign Policy, The Guardian, BBC News, The Nation, The Sunday Times, The New York Times, NPR, Frieze, and ArtReview. He is the author of Strangers (2023), a book by Tate Publishing that explores migration through the lens of art, and he co-edited Lost in Media: Migrant Perspectives and the Public Sphere (2019), a collection of critical essays examining how migrants are represented in European media. Einashe is a member of the editorial board of Tate Etc., the magazine of the Tate Galleries in the UK. He is also part of a team of journalists working on a cross-border journalism collaborative called Lost in Europe, which investigates the disappearance of child migrants.

Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

Lisa Hanawalt | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-04-17 20:00 - 21:00
Creating in the Age of Everything
Lisa Hanawalt is an artist and writer, best known for her work in animation. She’s the production designer and producer of BoJack Horseman, the acclaimed animated series on Netflix. She’s the creator and executive producer of Tuca & Bertie, a vibrant and surreal animated show on Netflix and Adult Swim. And most recently, she’s the producer and production designer of Long Story Short, an adult animated comedy about family, spanning many decades.

A graduate of UCLA, Hanawalt grew up in Palo Alto, California, and works across comics, animation, and illustration. Her projects range from TV shows and books to apparel, murals, music videos, and gallery exhibitions, each marked by her playful humor, emotional honesty, and keen observation of the natural and human worlds. Her books with Drawn & Quarterly include My Dirty Dumb Eyes, Hot Dog Taste Test, and Coyote Doggirl, which showcase her distinctive blend of wit, surrealism, and deeply personal storytelling.
Lisa’s art and writing have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg Businessweek, Lucky Peach, Vice, Glamour, and McSweeney’s. She lives in Los Angeles and is represented by Artists First and UTA.
Presented in partnership with the Ann Arbor District Library.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

PBS Books National Library Week: Celebrating Libraries & Librarians
2026-04-22 20:00 - 21:00
Join PBS Books & Librarian, Heather-Marie Montilla for a timely and thoughtful conversation with Daniel Montgomery, Executive Director of the American Library Association (ALA), as they explore the enduring importance of libraries and librarians in shaping American society, culture, and civic life.
Together, they will discuss the powerful new film The Librarians, streaming on the PBS YouTube channel and PBS app. The documentary examines how librarians across the United States are increasingly finding themselves on the frontlines of public conversations about access to information, education, and community values. Drawing on historical context and current events, the film highlights how librarians navigate challenges surrounding library collections while continuing their mission to serve their communities.
Montilla and Montgomery will also reflect on the previously released documentary Free for All: The Public Library, which traces the inspiring history of the public library movement. From the pioneering women who helped establish the "Free Library Movement" to today's librarians working to keep libraries open, welcoming, and accessible to all, the film celebrates the individuals who helped build one of America's most enduring civic institutions.
The conversation will also highlight PBS Books' Filmmaker Talks, featuring insights from Kim A. Snyder, director and producer of The Librarians, and Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor, creators of Free for All: The Public Library. Through these discussions, audiences will gain a deeper understanding of the vision behind these films and why their stories resonate so strongly today.
This conversation highlights the vital role libraries continue to play as community anchors—places where knowledge, curiosity, and opportunity remain open to everyone.
PBS BOOKS WATCH-ALIKE:
Independent Lens | The Librarians
When lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves on the frontlines of a national battle. Across the U.S., librarians face the impact of uniting against library collection standards that include restrictions on race-related and LGBTQIA+ content. Drawing on historical context, The Librarians explores the broader implications for education and public life.
Watch Program NowWatch PBS Books Conversation Independent Lens | Free for All: The Public Library
Learn how a simple idea shaped a nation and the quiet revolutionaries who made it happen. From pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” to today’s librarians who service the public despite working in a contentious age of closures. Free for All shows how libraries have always been a sanctuary for generations of Americans.
Watch Program with PBS PassportWatch PBS Books Conversation

Jonathan Adler | Penny Stamps Speaker Series
2026-04-24 20:00 - 21:00
Finding Your Voice
Jonathan Adler’s brain is a cultural blender. His influences are vast. High, low, and everything in between, from Isamu Noguchi’s organic Modern Sculptures to raunchy 1970s bumper stickers. The end result? A design brand — pottery, furniture, and more — which marries chic design with irreverent references. Adler has built an international reputation for his innovative approach to design, which deftly combines humor, impeccable style, and skilled craftsmanship. In his talk, Adler will shed light on how he synthesizes disparate inspirations into a varied yet distinctive voice and offer advice on how young designers and artists can develop their own signature styles in a chaotic visual landscape.

Adler launched his namesake brand in 1993 when Barneys New York purchased his first pottery collection, and by 1998 he had opened his flagship store in Soho. Since then, Adler has expanded his studio into a global design company rooted in craftsmanship and playful luxury. Pottery remains at the heart of his work, while the brand now encompasses furniture, lighting, décor, and textiles — all united by his signature vision of ​“Modern American Glamour.” Through both his retail stores and collaborations worldwide, Adler continues to champion bold design infused with wit, optimism, and artistry.
Adler appeared as a judge for two seasons of Bravo’s Top Design and later served as a judge on HGTV’s Design Star: Next Gen. In 2019, Adler received the Brand Heritage Award at The Fashion Group International’s annual Night of Stars gala in New York City and has received many accolades, including the MAD Visionary Award from the Museum of Arts and Design in 2025.
Presented in partnership with Design Core Detroit.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan.
Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS, ALL ARTS, and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Public.

Wilding by Isabella Tree | PBS Books Readers Club
2026-04-29 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books Readers Club welcomes British author and conservationist Isabella Tree to discuss her inspirational non-fiction book Wilding: Returning Nature to Our Farm. The episode premieres on April 29th at 8PM ET as a PBS Books Facebook Live event, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
Wilding: Returning Nature to Our Farm chronicles the real-life experiences of Isabella Tree and her husband Charlie Burrell as they take on rewilding their 3,500-acre Knepp Castle Estate in Sussex, England. A land ravaged by centuries of farming, it was starting to fail, and along with it, the family’s sense of security. Inspired by a visit from an arboriculturist looking to save their old oak trees, Burrell and Tree decided to take a chance and change everything they were doing with the land. Through the reintroduction of native species both flora and fauna, this striking case of land revitalization proves there is way to allow the wild to thrive again.
As Tree reflects, “I think the only answer to eco anxiety is to get your hands dirty and do something. And the joy that can come from even transforming a window box… so that you’re now attracting night flying moths and hoverflies and all the forgotten pollinators, you’re making a difference. And that feels just so fantastic.”
Part personal memoir, part history lesson, and part biology lesson, Wilding is an uplifting and rare eco-success story. Isabella Tree does a magnificent job weaving together the many aspects of what it means to rewild. From the littlest bugs in the ground to large grazing animals, each species plays a vital role in bring balance to the environment. It is the true story of nature’s resilience when given a chance.
PBS Watch-Alike: Wilding Wilding tells the story of a young couple that bets on nature for the future of their failing, four-hundred-year-old estate. The young couple battles entrenched tradition, and dares to place the fate of their farm in the hands of nature. Ripping down the fences, they set the land back to the wild and entrust its recovery to a motley mix of animals both tame and wild. It is the beginning of a grand experiment that will become one of the most significant rewilding experiments in Europe.

Author Talk With John Garrison Marks: "Thy Will Be Done"
2026-05-09 14:00 - 15:00
This is an in-person event taking place at the Anderson Theatre at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. This event is free to attend, but registration is required.
As we reflect on 250 years of America’s history, we invite you to join us for an impactful and important conversation with historian and author John Garrison Marks.
Marks will discuss his newest work, Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory (2026), where he tells the story of Americans’ long, fraught struggle to come to terms with Washington’s legacy of slavery.
The program will lead with a question Americans have reflected on for nearly 250 years: How should we remember George Washington’s entanglement in slavery?
Using research foundational to Thy Will Be Done, Marks will speak to Washington’s ties to slavery, and how the actions seen in his life’s work have shaped and reshaped Americans’ collective memory of Washington and slavery — along with their understanding of the nation.
The program will include a discussion with Heather Bruegl (Oneida/Stockbridge-Munsee), Curator of Political and Civic Engagement at The Henry Ford, and be followed by a brief audience Q&A and book signing, with the opportunity to purchase a copy of Thy Will Be Done.
The Henry Ford is committed to being a welcoming place for curiosity, learning and the open exchange of ideas. Programs featuring guest speakers are intended to encourage thoughtful conversation and exploration. The views shared at these events do not necessarily reflect those of The Henry Ford.
Register HereAbout The Book
In Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory, historian John Garrison Marks tells the story of Americans’ long, fraught struggle to come to terms with Washington’s legacy of slavery. He traces how politicians, abolitionists, educators, activists, Washington’s former slaves and their descendants, and others have remembered, forgotten, and manipulated slavery’s place in Washington’s story, and how they have wielded versions of that story in the political and cultural fights of their time. Marks shows how generational struggles over our collective memory of Washington and slavery have always been part of a bigger conversation about defining the United States and its people. As debates about the founders’ participation in the system of slavery continue to roil public discourse, Marks shows with new clarity that Americans have never collectively reconciled Washington’s conflicted legacy. By truly grappling with Washington’s role as enslaver and emancipator, we may come to better understand the nation and ourselves.
Registration Information:
The event is free to the public, but registration is required. Seats are limited.
There is a maximum of six registrants per entry. Registrants will receive confirmation and event reminders via email. Please show these confirmations upon entry to the event.
Registration will close if capacity is reached.
Register HereAbout The Author:
John Garrison Marks is a historian and writer whose work explores race, slavery, memory, and public history in the United States. He is the author or editor of three books, most recently Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory. His writing has appeared in TIME, Washington Post, and Smithsonian Magazine. Marks also serves as the Director of the Public History Research Lab at the American Association for State and Local History leading research, leadership initiatives, and special projects. He earned his Ph.D. in History from Rice University. He is a native of New Jersey and currently lives outside of Washington, D.C.

Dual Identities - An Author Conversation with Arthur Myron Horwitz
2026-05-20 20:00 - 21:00
PBS Books is pleased to partner with The Zekelman Holocaust Center for an Author Conversation with Arthur Myron Horwitz to discuss his new book Dual Identities: Living in Meier’s Shadow.
In this program, Arthur will explore the making of his memoir, sharing the challenges he faced in navigating his coming-of-age story in America. He will offer insights into the impact of inherited trauma, the path to coping, and the journey toward reconciliation.
About Dual Identities: Living in Meier’s Shadow
A photograph. A hidden truth. A lifetime of responsibility. Arthur Horwitz, the son of a Holocaust survivor, grew up hearing stories of loss and resilience. His powerful new memoir explores inherited trauma, identity, and healing. Join Arthur at The HC for the official launch of his book and a deeply personal conversation about his family’s legacy.
Pick up your copy of Dual Identities: Living in Meier’s Shadow while supporting PBS Books:
About The Author:
Arthur Horwitz is a nationally respected journalist, publisher, and civic leader. His career has been recognized through his induction into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, the establishment of the Arthur M. Horwitz Collection at the University of Michigan, and his designation as publisher emeritus of the Detroit Jewish News, where he served as publisher and executive editor for over thirty years. Arthur also shares his story with students at The HC as a Next Generation Speaker.
Support for this program provided by:

Pennsylvania | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 113
2026-05-26 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }Fasten your seatbelts and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Pennsylvania on our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on May 26th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT 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.
Download the Pennsylvania BooklistWinding from Pittsburgh through the Appalachian Mountains to Philadelphia and every town in between, Pennsylvania’s story is steeped in history. From Benjamin Franklin’s contributions to our young nation, including publishing Poor Richard’s Almanack and founding the Library Company of Philadelphia, he helped establish the idea that community access to knowledge is a true public treasure. Through the years, this state has also been home to trailblazers such as Nellie Bly (Around the World in Seventy-Two Days), whose investigative reporting helped redefine how journalists uncover the truth, and Bayard Rustin (Time on Two Crosses), who advanced peaceful protest during the Civil Rights. August Wilson (Fences) brought the life of his community to the stage, while Fred Rogers (It’s You I Like) inspired generations to be compassionate neighbors.
The Keystone State continues to shape today’s literary landscape. Poets Marjorie Maddox (Seeing Things) and Dr. Raina J. León (Black God Mother This Body) use the power of language to illuminate life’s unseen struggles. Jennifer Weiner (Good in Bed) redefines so-called “chick lit” with bold, empowering stories, while Eric Smith guides the next generation through change with YA novels like With or Without You.
Discover Pennsylvania’s rich literary landmarks across this surprisingly expansive state. Browse the shelves of historic libraries like the Athenaeum in Philadelphia and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, explore distinctive bookstores such as City of Asylum and Giovanni’s Room, and visit remarkable museums like the Mütter Museum, which highlights Philadelphia’s long history of medical innovation and writing.

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.

This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman | PBS Books Readers Club
2026-05-27 20:00 - 21:00
.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }PBS Books Readers Club welcomes New York Times bestselling author Allegra Goodman of Sam and Isola to discuss her brand-new novel This Is Not About Us. The episode premieres on May 27th at 8PM ET as a PBS Books Facebook Live event, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
This is Not About Us opens as the youngest of the three Rubenstein sisters passes away, and a petty dispute at her funeral over an apple cake splits the remaining sisters apart. What follows is a family saga spanning three generations, unfolding life into vignettes that drop in on long marriages and divorces, teenage milestones and middle-age reckonings. Each chapter adds another layer to a family portrait that’s complicated, constantly shifting, and never quite complete.
Witty, wise, and emotional, this novel moves through the messy, tender rhythms of a modern Jewish American family, including sisters who irritate and sustain each other, parents who mean well but fall short, and children who grow up and away. Goodman writes with clear-eyed warmth about the bonds we fracture and the ones we can’t quite let go, finding humor and heartbreak in equal measure.
Allegra reflects, “Showing these different perspectives— being an 11-year-old girl, and being a woman in her 70s who’s dying of cancer, and being the aggravated middle-aged sons who are trying to figure out how to celebrate her life when she doesn’t want to be celebrated in the way that they do – That’s really my art and that’s my job… to get inside of people.”
PBS Watch-AlikeExplore other stories of Jewish American history and culture with PBS. From Black and Jewish America, the latest film by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., to Ken Burns’ The U.S. and the Holocaust, to Great Performances: Broadway Musicals, A Jewish Legacy, the PBS app and pbs.org bring together some of the most compelling stories of the Jewish American experience.

Delaware | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip Episode 114
2026-06-17 20:00 - 21:00 | Facebook Live
.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }Climb aboard with the PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Delaware on our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on June 17th at 8pm ET for the live premiere on the PBS Books YouTube channel, or watch on the PBS Books Facebook page, the PBS app, or pbs.org. Visit pbsbooks.org/readingroadtrip to learn more.
Download the Delaware BooklistDelaware, the second smallest state known as the “Small Wonder,” has a literary history far larger than its borders suggest. John Dickinson, the “Penman of the Revolution,” stirred the colonies to action through his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania and helped shape the founding documents of our nation. Howard Pyle reimagined classic legends in vivid prose and illustration, including Merry Adventures of Robin Hood shaping how these stories are still visualized today. Poet and diarist Alice Dunbar-Nelson (Violets), along with her niece Pauline Young, broke racial barriers from the Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights Movement, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the state’s geography. And Carol Hoffecker chronicled Delaware’s growth alongside the nation’s in works like Delaware: A Bicentennial History, grounding the state’s story in the sweep of American history.
From the wetlands of southern Delaware to its modern northern cities, writers across the state continue to shape today’s literary conversation. Al Mills and Nnamdi Chukwuocha, known as the Twin Poets and Delaware’s 17th Poet Laureates, use verse to help communities process trauma and build resilience. Newbery honoree, Erin Entrada Kelly has earned multiple honors for her middle grade novels, including The First State of Being, which brings Delaware’s own landscape to life for young readers. Cristina Henríquez highlights underrepresented communities in The Book of Unknown Americans, while author and illustrator Jay Cooper (Styx and Scones) crafts engaging stories for readers of all ages. And Valerie Biden Owens offers a personal perspective on one of America’s most prominent families in her poignant memoir Growing Up Biden.
It’s easy to see that books and beaches are two of Delaware’s greatest offerings, and the state embraces both. Along the coast, independent shops Bethany Beach Books and Browseabout Books welcome readers year-round. Traveling north, a thriving independent bookstore scene is matched by a strong library network, from Seaford to Hockessin, connecting authors and ideas to communities across the state. Delaware’s literary landmarks extend beyond the shelves. The historic streets of New Castle, and taverns with whispered ties to Edgar Allan Poe, remind us that in this small state, history and storytelling are waiting around every corner.

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.

Our Favorite Books for Summer | PBS Books Readers Club
2026-06-24 20:00 - 21:00
In this special episode of PBS Books Readers Club, hosts Lauren Smith, Princess Weekes, and Heather-Marie Montilla share their perfect picks to binge beachside this summer. Join our hosts on June 24th at 8PM ET for a PBS Books Facebook Live event, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
There’s something special about finding the perfect book to bring along on your summer adventures. Discover your next great read with the PBS Books Readers Club. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery, historical fiction, a richly layered family drama, or a gripping tale of revenge, our hosts have picks perfect for your beach bag, carry-on, or favorite patio chair.
A sneak peek into one of Lauren’s picks: “It’s set in the 1920s era Detroit amongst the wealthy, powerful auto families… It’s this twisty historical mystery about ambition, power and the dangerous secrets hidden behind one wealthy family’s glittering facade. Take The Great Gatsby and mix it with Mexican Gothic… and you have a serious page turner in Fortune of Sand.”
Explore this featured pick and the rest of the hosts’ favorite summer selections. Plus, come prepared to share your personal picks for this summer in the chat! We’d love to hear what you plan on reading!
