Library Talks
Join The New York Public Library and your favorite writers, artists, and thinkers for smart talks and provocative conversations from the nation’s cultural capital.
Latest episodes
Jun 11, 2025 • 56min
Madeleine Thien with Jiayang Fan: The Book of Records
In this episode of Library Talks, author Madeleine Thien talks to Jiayang Fan about her latest book, The Book of Records. The Book of Records is a novel that leaps across generations, ideas, and centuries, as if different eras were separated by only a door. Madeleine Thien worked on The Book of Records during her 2021-2022 Fellowship at the Library’s Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers. She discusses her book with New Yorker staff writer Jiayang Fan.
Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
Claire Hoffman with Jelani Cobb: Sister, Sinner
In this episode of Library Talks, Author and Journalist Claire Hoffman sits down with fellow journalist Jelani Cobb to talk about her latest book, Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson Sister, Sinner chronicles the dramatic rise, disappearance, and near-fall of Aimee Semple McPherson. A pioneer of Pentecostalism and founder of the Foursquare Church, McPherson used spectacle, storytelling, and her own radio station to bring God’s message to the masses. Her innovations brought Pentecostalism into the mainstream, paved the way for televangelists, and shaped the future of American Christianity.
May 28, 2025 • 59min
Russell Shorto with Aidan Flax-Clark: Taking Manhattan
Bestselling author and historian Russell Shorto talks to Aidan Flax-Clark about his latest book, Taking Manhattan.
May 21, 2025 • 59min
Haleh Liza Gafori with Maya C. Popa: Water Translating Rumi
Acclaimed poet Haleh Liza Gafori discusses her latest translations of Rumi's lyric poetry in Water with prize-winning poet Maya C. Popa
May 14, 2025 • 55min
Chris Hughes with Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway: Marketcrafters
Economist and writer Chris Hughes talks to Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Allowa about his latest book, Marketcrafters.
May 7, 2025 • 56min
Mike Hixenbaugh on his Award-Winning Book 'They Came for the Schools'
On this special episode of Library Talks, we speak with Mike Hixenbaugh, winner of the 38th annual Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism, for his book They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms.
Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 1min
Vicky Nguyen with Tracey Nguyen Mang: Boat Baby
News anchor Vicky Nguyen talks to Tracey Nguyen Mang about her new memoir, Boat Baby.
Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 17min
José Andrés with Gail Simmons: Change the Recipe
Michelin-starred chef José Andrés talks to Gail Simmons about his latest book, Change the Recipe.
Apr 16, 2025 • 1h 20min
Timothy Snyder: The New Paganism—A Framework for Understanding Our Politics
American historian Timothy Snyder presents his lecture The New Paganism—A Framework for Understanding Our Politics
Apr 9, 2025 • 51min
Alissa Wilkinson with Aidan Flax-Clark: We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine
Film critic Alissa Wilkinson talks to Aidan Flax-Clark about her latest book, We Tell Ourselves Stories.
