Library Talks
Episodes
Fintan O'Toole: The Idiocy of Greatness
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, the acclaimed Irish writer, Fintan O'Toole, delivers the annual Robert B. Silvers lecture. The idea of gr...
Maile Chapman with Larissa MacFarquhar: The Spoil
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, acclaimed author Maile Chapman joins the podcast to discuss her first novel in fifteen years from acclaimed, The...
Bob Crawford with Alexis Coe: America's Founding Son
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, The historian and bass player for The Avett Brothers, Bob Crawford revisits the life of John Quincy Adams in his ...
Daisy Hernández with Jia Lynn Yang: Citizenship
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Author Daisy Hernández explores one of the most contested questions in contemporary American life: who belongs. ...
Library Talks: Ellen Carol DuBois with Julie Suk, 'Elizabeth Cady Stanton'
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, historian Ellen Carol DuBois discusses her new book Elizabeth Cady Stanton: A Revolutionary Life with legal sch...
Jeanne Theoharis with Robyn C. Spencer-Antoine: The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, historian Jeanne Theoharis joins the podcast to discuss her groundbreaking work, The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Ros...
Clint Bentley with Aidan Flax-Clark: Train Dreams
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, award winning director Clint Bentley joins the podcast to discuss his new film Train Dreams and the process of ...
Nina Sankovitch with Jennifer Finney Boylan: Not Your Founding Father
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, historian Nina Sankovitch discusses her new book Not Your Founding Father: How a Nonbinary Minister Became Ameri...
Emily Yellin and John C. Lawson II with Michelle Miller: Nonviolent
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, we explore the life of one of the most influential architects of the civil rights era Rev. James Lawson Jr. and d...
Emerald Fennell with Aidan Flax-Clark: "Wuthering Heights"
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Academy and BAFTA Award–winning filmmaker, Emerald Fennell, discusses her seductive interpretation of Wutherin...
Edward McPherson with Robert Sullivan: Look Out
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, author Edward McPherson sits down with fellow author Robert Sullivan to discuss his latest book, Look Out: The D...
Akhil Reed Amar: Born Equal
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, prizewinning constitutional historian Akhil Reed Amar talks about his new book Born Equal: Remaking America's Co...
Siddhartha Mukherjee with Dhruv Khullar: Revisiting The Emperor of All Maladies
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Pulitzer Prize–winning author and physician Siddhartha Mukherjee joins Library Talks to discuss the updated ...
Tim Wu with Lina Khan: The Age of Extraction
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, The legal scholar and former White House official, Tim Wu, examines how today's tech giants extract wealth from o...
Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper with Joshua David Stein: Russ & Daughters: 100 Years of Appetizing
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, 4th generation Russ & Daughters co-owners Niki Russ Federman & Josh Russ join the podcast to talk about their boo...
Amanda Vaill with Bill Goldstein: Pride and Pleasure
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, writer Amanda Vaill joins the podcast to discuss her new book Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age...
Mindy Weisberger with Paula Croxson: Rise of The Zombie Bugs
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, science writer Mindy Weisberger discusses her new book Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Paras...
Margalit Fox: The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, award-winning journalist Margalit Fox joins Library Talks to discuss her latest book, The Talented Mrs. Mandelba...
Lance Richardson with Sam Anderson: True Nature
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, author Lance Richardson joins Library Talks to discuss his new book True Nature: The Pilgrimage of Peter Matthie...
Jonathan Mahler with Amor Towles: The Gods of New York
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, award-winning author and New York Times Magazine staff writer Jonathan Mahler joins the podcast to discuss the t...
Dr. Tom Frieden with Chelsea Clinton: The Formula for Better Health
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, the former director of the CDC Dr. Tom Frieden, joins Library Talks to discuss his new book The Formula for Bett...
Irin Carmon with Melissa Murray: Unbearable
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Irin Carmon speaks with Melissa Murray about her new book Unbearable. In Unbearable, Irin Carmon draws on the h...
Francesca Wade with Brenda Wineapple: Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Author Francesca Wade, joins Library Talks to discuss her new book Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife she is joined b...
Ray D. Madoff with Gary Gulman: The Second Estate
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Ray D. Madoff, a professor at Boston College Law School, talks about her new book The Second Estate which lifts...
Cheryl McKissack Daniel with Charlamagne Tha God: The Black Family Who Built America
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Cheryl McKissack Daniel—fifth-generation leader of the nation's oldest Black-owned design and construction serv...
Gish Jen with Weike Wang: Bad Bad Girl
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, acclaimed novelist Gish Jen joins Library Talks to discuss her latest book Bad Bad Girl. She is joined by fello...
David Szalay with Dua Lipa: Flesh
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, join Dua Lipa for a live discussion of Flesh by David Szalay, a book club pick for Service95—the global lifes...
Brian Jones with Bettina L. Love and Jesse Hagopian: Black History Is for Everyone
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Educator NYPL staff member and author Brian Jones joins Library Talks to discuss his new book Black History Is...
The New Yorker Editorial Roundtable
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks , in honor of The New Yorker's 100th anniversary, editor David Remnick is joined by Henry Finder, Tyler Foggatt...
Jill Lepore with Jamal Greene: We the People
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, American historian Jill Lepore joins Library Talks to discuss her latest book We the People: A History of the U....
Tricia Hersey with Glory Edim: We Will Rest!: The Art of Escape
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, multidisciplinary artist and theologian, Tricia Hersey joins Library Talks to discuss her latest book We Will Re...
Lauren O'Neill-Butler with E.C. Feiss and Ciarán Finlayson: The War of Art
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Author and editor Lauren O'Neill-Butler joins Library Talks to discuss her latest book, The War of Art: A Histor...
Miriam Toews with Aidan Flax-Clark: A Truce That Is Not Peace
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Miriam Toews, the internationally bestselling author of Women Talking and Fight Night discusses writing about...
Joshua Miele with Andrew Leland: Connecting Dots: A Blind Life
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Research scientist Joshua Miele joins Library Talks to discuss his memoir Connecting Dots: A Blind Life. He i...
Eloghosa Osunde with Jake Morrissey: Necessary Fiction
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, award-winning writer and multidisciplinary artist Eloghosa Osunde joins the podcast for a conversation about thei...
Raquel Willis with Mecca Jamilah Sullivan: The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, writer, activist, and speaker Raquel Willis joins Library Talks to discuss her memoir The Risk It Takes to Bloom...
Malcolm D. Lee and Jayne Allen with Bevy Smith: The Best Man: Unfinished Business
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Writer and director Malcolm D. Lee Joins Library Talks to discuss his debut novel The Best Man: Unfinished Busin...
Kevin Nguyen with Chris Gayomali: Mỹ Documents
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Novelist and features editor at The Verge Kevin Nguyen joins Library Talks to discuss his second novel Mỹ Do...
Jeremy Tiang with Reuben Gelley Newman: State of Emergency
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Acclaimed translator and playwright Jeremy Tiang joins Library Talks to discuss his debut novel and winner of the...
Jonas Hassen Khemiri with Tess Gunty: The Sisters
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, National book award finalist Jonas Hassen Khemiri talks to Tess Gunty about his latest book, The Sisters. Narra...
Bobby Hankinson: Kweendom: A Night of Queer Stand-Up
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, New York's funniest LGBTQ performers take the stage for a one-night-only celebration of queer comedy, community, and...
John B. King, Jr. with Lisette Nieves: Teacher by Teacher
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr talks to Lisette Nieves about his latest book, Teacher by Teacher.
Kate Marvel and Friends, 'Human Nature'
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, author and climate scientist Kate Marvel explores her latest book, Human Nature, with David Wallace-Wells, Monic...
Stephanie Burt with Special Guests: Super Gay Poems: LGBTQIA+ Poetry after Stonewall
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, poets and critics read from and discuss the new anthology, Super Gay Poems: LGBTQIA+ Poetry after Stonewall. In S...
Barbara Demick with Jessica Bruder: Daughters of the Bamboo Grove
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, acclaimed journalist and National Book Award finalist Barbara Demick talks to Jessica Bruder about her latest boo...
Madeleine Thien with Jiayang Fan: The Book of Records
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
Claire Hoffman with Jelani Cobb: Sister, Sinner
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Author and Journalist Claire Hoffman sits down with fellow journalist Jelani Cobb to talk about her latest book, ...
Russell Shorto with Aidan Flax-Clark: Taking Manhattan
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author and historian Russell Shorto talks to Aidan Flax-Clark about his latest book, Taking Manhattan.
Haleh Liza Gafori with Maya C. Popa: Water
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Haleh Liza Gafori with Maya C. Popa: Water Translating Rumi
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Acclaimed poet Haleh Liza Gafori discusses her latest translations of Rumi's lyric poetry in Water with prize-winning poet Maya C. Popa
Chris Hughes with Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway: Marketcrafters
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Economist and writer Chris Hughes talks to Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Allowa about his latest book, Marketcrafters.
Mike Hixenbaugh on his Award-Winning Book 'They Came for the Schools'
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this special episode of Library Talks, we speak with Mike Hixenbaugh, winner of the 38th annual Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journa...
Vicky Nguyen with Tracey Nguyen Mang: Boat Baby
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
News anchor Vicky Nguyen talks to Tracey Nguyen Mang about her new memoir, Boat Baby.
José Andrés with Gail Simmons: Change the Recipe
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Michelin-starred chef José Andrés talks to Gail Simmons about his latest book, Change the Recipe.
Timothy Snyder: The New Paganism—A Framework for Understanding Our Politics
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
American historian Timothy Snyder presents his lecture The New Paganism—A Framework for Understanding Our Politics
Alissa Wilkinson with Aidan Flax-Clark: We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Film critic Alissa Wilkinson talks to Aidan Flax-Clark about her latest book, We Tell Ourselves Stories.
Edna Bonhomme with Linda Villarosa: A History of the World in Six Plagues
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Historian Edna Bonhomme talks to Linda Villarosa about her latest book, A History of the World in Six Plagues.
Hamid Rahmanian with Ahmad Sadri and Melissa Hibbard: Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Artist Hamid Rahmanian speaks with translator Ahmad Sadri and producer Melissa Hibbard about the Persian epic poem Shahnameh.
Lisa Kyung Gross with Yael Raviv and Abi Balingit: The League of Kitchens Cookbook
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cookbook Author Lisa Kyung Gross is joined by Yael Raviv and Abi Balingit to talk about her latest book, The League of Kitchens Cookbook
Kenneth Roth with M. Gessen: Righting Wrongs
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kenneth Roth, the long-time head of Human Rights Watch, talks to M. Gessen about his first book, Righting Wrongs.
Eliza Clark with Allison Nellis: She's Always Hungry
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eliza Clark talks to Allison Nellis about her debut short story collection, She's Always Hungry.
Sarah Lewis with Nell Irvin Painter: The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Historian Sarah Lewis talks to Nell Irvin Painter about her latest book, The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America.
Victoria Christopher Murray with Melissa Noel: Harlem Rhapsody
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray sits down with journalist Melissa Noel to discuss her latest book, Harlem Rhapsody: The Extraordinary S...
Jennifer Finney Boylan with Roxane Gay: Cleavage
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 2003, author Jennifer Finney Boylan published She's Not There, which became the first bestselling work by a transgender American and established Bo...
David Wright Faladé with Julie Orringer: The New Internationals
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and scholar David Wright Faladé sits down with Julie Orringer to discuss his latest book, The New Internationals, a stunning historical novel...
Martha Hodes with Stacy Schiff: My Hijacking
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When author and historian Martha Hodes was 12-years-old she was flying unaccompanied on a plane that was hijacked. Nearly half a century later she exp...
New York State Poet Patricia Spears Jones in Conversation with Brent Hayes Edwards
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New York State Poet Laureate Patricia Spears Jones is a poet, playwright, educator, and cultural activist. Her most recent book The Beloved Community ...
Deondra Rose and Angelo Pinto: The Power of Black Excellence
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join author and professor Deondra Rose as she discusses her new book The Power of Black Excellence: HBCUs and the Fight for American Democracy with ac...
Caoilinn Hughes with Brandon Taylor: The Alternatives
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Caoilinn Hughes joins fellow author Brandon Taylor to discuss her latest book, The Alternatives, a story of four brilliant Irish sisters, orphaned in ...
Josephine Quinn with Ken Chen: How the World Made the West
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Josephine Quinn sits down with award-winning poet Ken Chen to discuss her book How the World Made the West. Quinn's book poses a bold challenge to "c...
Jean Strouse with Hernan Diaz: Family Romance
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jean Strouse sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winner Hernan Diaz to discuss her latest book Family Romance: John Singer Sargent and the Wertheimers. St...
Dava Sobel with Angela Saini: The Elements of Marie Curie
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In her new biography, The Elements of Marie Curie, Dava Sobel explores not just on Curie's legendary genius, but the 45 women who worked in her lab—...
Daniel Saldaña París with Chloé Cooper Jones: Planes Flying over a Monster
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Saldaña París speaks with Chloé Cooper Jones about his latest book Planes Flying over a Monster, which explores the cities where París h...
New York Crime Stories: Reading from the Archives
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the Library's collections for true tales of crime and chicanery from some of the city's most outstanding lawbreakers. Beloved actors and per...
Maira Kalman with Rumaan Alam: Still Life with Remorse
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Beloved artist and author Maira Kalman sits down with author Rumaan Alam to discuss her new collection of illustrations, Still Life with Remorse, her ...
Celebrating Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer's 'The Joy of Connections'
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrating The Joy of Connections, the last book of beloved icon (and long-time New Yorker) Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Co-authors Allison Gilbert and Pierr...
Glory Edim with Aminatou Sow: Gather Me
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Glory Edim, the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, discusses her new memoir, Gather Me, an ode to the power reading has had on her life and to books' ab...
Clara Bingham with Farai Chideya: Revolutionary Foremothers
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clara Bingham discusses her new book, The Movement, the first oral history of the decade that built the modern feminist movement.
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson with Steve Connell: What If We Get It Right?
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, the beloved marine biologist and policy expert imagines an inspiring landscape of possible climate futures.
Ada Limón and Peter Sís: In Praise of Mystery
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. Poet Laureate and Caldecott honoree Illustrator discuss their transcendent picture book featuring a poem that will travel into space aboard N...
Richard Powers with Marlon James: Playground
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Author Richard Powers discusses his latest novel, Playground, which intertwines tales of technology, race, friendships, and the environment.
Library Talks: Eliza Griswold, Hahrie Han with Andrea Elliott: 'Circle of Hope' and 'Undivided'
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Not all evangelical churches fit the stereotypes. In their latest books, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Eliza Griswold and the Inaugural Director...
Library Talks: DéLana R. A. Dameron with Renée Watson: Redwood Court
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
DéLana R.A. Dameron is in conversation with author Renée Watson about her debut novel Redwood Court.
Connie Chung with Walter Isaacson
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Connie Chung talks with Walter Isaacson about her new memoir, Connie. The book delves into her storied career as the first Asian woman to break into a...
Taffy Brodesser-Akner: Long Island Compromise
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brodesser-Akner, the author of Fleishman is in Trouble, came by the Library to talk about her latest novel, Long Island Compromise, the story of an Am...
Protecting Reproductive Freedoms: Lourdes Rivera, Meera Shah, Reva Siegel, and Jessica Bruder
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court effectively overturned Roe v. Wade with its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the futur...
Jamaica Kincaid & Kara Walker with Hilton Als: An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The renowned novelist and the revered artist discuss their new book, An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children, a unique collaboration that ex...
Michael Stipe with Taryn Simon: Portraits of Now
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artist, producer, and former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe recently published his fourth book of photography, Even the birds gave pause, which feature...
Neel Mukherjee with Hanya Yanagihara: Choice
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Neel Mukherjee speaks with fellow author Hanya Yanagihara about his latest book, an explosive novel about the ramifications of choice.
Justice Stephen Breyer: Choosing Pragmatism Over Textualism
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Stephen Breyer, retired Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, delivers the annual Robert B. Silvers Lecture. ...
Tom Steyer with David Wallace-Wells: Winning the Climate War
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, investor and climate champion Tom Steyer sits down with New York Times columnist David Wallace-Wells to discuss his ...
Colm Tóibín with Caoilinn Hughes: Long Island
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Library Talks, Colm Tóibín sits down with Irish writer Caoilinn Hughes to discuss his latest book, Long Island, which takes place...
Emily Wilson: Reading The Iliad
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The groundbreaking translator and professor of classics reads from and discusses her masterful new English version of the greatest literary landmark o...
Ruha Benjamin with Rujeko Hockley: Imagination
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Social and technology critic Ruha Benjamin examines the power of our imagination to challenge systems of oppression and to create a world in which eve...
Marilynne Robinson with Ayana Mathis: Reading Genesis
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Legendary novelist and essayist Marilynne Robinson discusses her new book, Reading Genesis, with author Ayana Mathis. Often overlooked as a piece of l...
Hillary Rodham Clinton with Jennifer Weiner
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hillary Rodham Clinton sits down with author Jennifer Weiner to discuss books, politics, and much more.
Sasha Issenberg with Maggie Haberman: The Lie Detectives
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and the author Sasha Issenberg sits down with the New York Times' senior political correspondent Maggie Haberman to discuss his latest book...
Lyn Slater and Chloé Cooper Jones
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Accidental Icon Lyn Slater, a fashion and culture influencer, talks about her new book, How to Be Old, and reflects on life in her 60s. She speaks...
Chasing Bruno Schulz: Benjamin Balint with Joshua Cohen
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Author and journalist Benjamin Balint sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Joshua Cohen to discuss Balint's latest book Bruno Schulz, a fr...
Álvaro Enrigue with Marie Arana: You Dreamed of Empires
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The author of Sudden Death returns with a new novel that reimagines the destinies of Tenochtitlan.