Library Talks

Latest Episodes:

Bobby Hankinson: Kweendom: A Night of Queer Stand-Up Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

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 joy.

Hosted by Bobby Hankinson, Kweendom is an all-LGBTQ comedy show featuring some of the city's sharpest queer comedians and storytellers. Born from Hankinson's frustration with lineups lacking authentic queer representation, Kweendom centers a wide range of LGBTQ voices—spanning gender identities, cultures, and backgrounds—each sharing their distinct experiences through stand-up.

John B. King, Jr. with Lisette Nieves: Teacher by Teacher Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

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' Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Library Talks, author and climate scientist Kate Marvel explores her latest book, Human Nature, with David Wallace-Wells, Monica Youn, and Lauren Kurtz through talks, performances, and more

Each chapter of Kate Marvel's new book, Human Nature, employs a different emotion to explore the science and stories behind climate change. Kate Marvel shares some of the hope, heartbreak, and humor that she uses to help readers confront the questions about what future lies ahead and how we can help shape it.

Stephanie Burt with Special Guests: Super Gay Poems: LGBTQIA+ Poetry after Stonewall Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Library Talks, poets and critics read from and discuss the new anthology, Super Gay Poems: LGBTQIA+ Poetry after Stonewall.

In Super Gay Poems, Stephanie Burt curates a boundary-pushing anthology of 51 poems by LGBTQIA+ writers, tracing the evolution of queer poetry since the Stonewall Riots. From sonnets to shaped poems, elegies to joyful provocations, the collection features luminaries like Frank O'Hara and Audre Lorde alongside vital contemporary voices such as Chen Chen and The Cyborg Jillian Weise.

Barbara Demick with Jessica Bruder: Daughters of the Bamboo Grove Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Library Talks, acclaimed journalist and National Book Award finalist Barbara Demick talks to Jessica Bruder about her latest book, Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins Barbara Demick investigates the origins, shocking cruelty, and legacy of China's one-child rule; the rise of international adoption and the religious currents that buoyed it; and the exceedingly rare phenomenon of twin separation.

Madeleine Thien with Jiayang Fan: The Book of Records Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

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.

Claire Hoffman with Jelani Cobb: Sister, Sinner Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

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.

Russell Shorto with Aidan Flax-Clark: Taking Manhattan May 28, 2025

Show notes

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 May 21, 2025

Show notes

Haleh Liza Gafori with Maya C. Popa: Water Translating Rumi May 21, 2025

Show notes

Acclaimed poet Haleh Liza Gafori discusses her latest translations of Rumi's lyric poetry in Water with prize-winning poet Maya C. Popa