Sadie Stein

Sadie Stein, Book Review editor at The New York Times, and Louis Sachar, renowned author of children's classics like 'Holes,' delve into the literary treasures that shaped their childhoods. They discuss the magic of teachers reading aloud and the emotional resonance of school literature. The duo reminisces about their favorite and least favorite books while pondering how to inspire young readers today. A lively game of literary trivia adds fun, revealing how classics connect generations. Together, they celebrate the love of reading and its transformative power.

Poet and downtown icon Eileen Myles reading a poem by James Schuyler; archival tape of Maya Angelou interviewed by George Plimpton, the founding editor of the Review; the legendary actor and writer Wallace Shawn reading Denis Johnson’s famous story “Car-Crash While Hitchhiking”; and a true story by Sadie Stein, read by herself, about doing the twist alone on a Tuesday night.

In this engaging discussion, Sadie Stein, an editor at the New York Times Book Review, shares her love for childhood reading, while Louis Sachar, renowned for his books like 'Holes,' reflects on his own school reading experiences. They explore how to keep young readers engaged, emphasizing the importance of humor and respect in children's literature. Louis suggests titles like 'The Giver,' while Sadie points to spooky stories as great gateways to reading. Both highlight the shift in pleasure reading and offer tips to reconnect kids with books.