PBS Books

The American Revolution: PBS Books Filmmaker Talk
2026-01-07 20:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit)
Join PBS Books for an in-depth Filmmaker Talk featuring filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein and authors Geoffrey C. Ward and Rick Atkinson, who come together to explore the making of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION — a landmark six-part documentary that examines how America’s founding struggle reshaped the world. Hosted by Lauren Smith, this conversation dives deep into the themes, creative process, and personal reflections behind this epic documentary series, highlighting how these storytellers bring to life a wide variety of voices to show how the fight for independence was both personal and global.
The American Revolution, directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, and written by Geoffrey C. Ward, is available on the PBS App. Check local listings for upcoming broadcast dates and times in your area. For more on the film and accompanying resources, please visit pbs.org/americanrevolution.
Explore Our American Revolution Reading List
Expand your understanding of the people, ideas, and events that shaped our nation.
PBS Books invites you to dive deeper into the world of the American Revolution with a curated reading list inspired by the landmark film series.
This collection highlights nonfiction, fiction, and children’s titles that bring history to life—from firsthand accounts and scholarly works to stories that explore the Revolution’s lasting legacy through different lenses. Each title helps illuminate the human experiences behind America’s founding struggle and the evolving meaning of liberty and democracy.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, educator, or lifelong learner, these books will help you reflect on the values that continue to shape our nation today.
Download and print the American Revolution Reading List
Download & PrintCorporate funding for The American Revolution was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for The American Revolution was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. The American Revolution was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Detroit Economic Club: Michigan Economic Outlook
2026-01-13 11:00 - 14:00
Prepare to look ahead at the forces that will shape Michigan’s 2026 economy. Our panel of leading experts will examine the state’s most pressing challenges — from trade policy impact, business/talent attraction to the future of manufacturing and more.
Results of the 14th annual Michigan Economic Outlook Survey will be unveiled at this meeting. This highly collaborative effort involves input from businesspeople and associations throughout the state.
Panelists:
Mary Buchzeiger – CEO, Lucerne International
Quentin Messer, Jr. – Chief Executive and Economic Competitiveness Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Gabriel Ehrlich – Director of Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, University of Michigan

Author Talk: Catherine Newman
2026-01-14 20:00 - 21:00
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.
