Nov 13 Watch 7:07 Why a library fire feels like an ‘attack on humanity’ By Jeffrey Brown In April 1986, fire raged through the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles, damaging or destroying more than a million books. Journalist and author Susan Orlean resurrects this nearly forgotten story in “The Library Book,” which also explores the emotional… Continue watching
Oct 31 Watch 6:31 ‘American Wolf’ author Nate Blakeslee answers your questions By Jeffrey Brown Nate Blakeslee, author of our October pick for the NewsHour-New York Times book club Now Read This, joins Jeffrey Brown to answer questions from readers, plus Jeff announces November’s book. Continue watching
Oct 23 Watch 7:31 Sen. Sasse on the rise of ‘anti-tribes’ and a growing American tolerance for lies In his new book “Them: Why We Hate Each Other--and How to Heal,” Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb, reflects on a growing “rootlessness” in America as local communities erode and our dependence on isolating technology grows. Judy Woodruff sits down with… Continue watching
May 23 Watch 10:08 Remembering Philip Roth, prolific American writer and ‘ruthlessly honest observer’ Philip Roth died Tuesday at age 85. His 1969 novel "Portnoy's Complaint" rocketed him to fame for its raunchy tour of a teenage boy's lustful urges and ensuing guilt. He later focused more deeply on Jewish life, mortality and American… Continue watching
Feb 16 13-year-old founder of #1000blackgirlbooks shares some of her favorite reads By Alison Thoet Marley Dias, a 13-year-old girl who has collected more than 11,000 books that showcase black female lead characters, can now add her own book to her list. Continue reading
Nov 24 5 books from 2017 that these authors think you should read By Larisa Epatko Memoirs that make you think about judgment and injustice, a funny -- but unexpectedly dark -- novel, and a guide to a happy marriage. These are the books that authors Daniel Pink and Ann Patchett chose as their top picks… Continue reading
Nov 10 5 memoirs about family you need to read, from Amy Tan By Elizabeth Flock Amy Tan often explores the fraught relationship between mothers and daughters in her writing, including in her new memoir. Here are 5 other memoirs about family that she recommends. Continue reading
Sep 07 Conservative book publisher eschews New York Times Best Seller rankings By Michael Boulter Regnery Publishing said this week that it will stop using the Times’ weekly rankings to to market its books, and its authors will no longer receive special bonuses for making the list. Continue reading
Aug 21 Watch 6:25 ‘Mrs. Fletcher’ becomes an object of desire in Tom Perrotta’s new novel By PBS News Hour Suburbia, sex and a touch of the supernatural are familiar themes for novelist Tom Perrotta, author of “Election,” “The Leftovers” and “Little Children.” In his new book “Mrs. Fletcher,” Perrotta offers a story about an empty-nester who adopts a new… Continue watching
Aug 17 Watch 3:39 What Calvin Trillin learned from his college writing course By PBS News Hour As a longtime writer for The New Yorker, Calvin Trillin was less interested in directly explaining why what he was writing was important than in just telling a good story. Trillin offers his Brief but Spectacular take on some of… Continue watching