What You Need in the Game of Life with Channelle Desamours
You got what you wanted: a special power, a dream internship??? Now what? In Channelle Desamours’ “Needy Little Things,” Sariyah can sense people’s needs, but she’s not sure if having powers will help or hinder her search for her friend. Moderated by Sasha Dowdy.
Contributor:
Dowdy, Sasha - Desamours, Channelle
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Stake It or Leave It: Speculative Fiction with Nnedi Okorafor and V.E. Schwab
When the world has no place for you, what do you do? Fight, surrender or begin anew? Nnedi Okorafor’s experimental book-within-a-book, “Death of the Author,” creates a new reality for Zelu, a disabled Nigerian woman, to become her truest self. V.E. Schwab’s “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil” interweaves the stories of women throughout time, with a vampiric twist.
That Boy Is Cute (but Let Me Save the World First) with Susan Dennard and Tahereh Mafi
If given half a chance, we would all stand up to save our world! But what do you do when, during all that, you fall for a very fine human specimen? Protagonists in Susan Dennard’s “Executioners Three” and Tahereh Mafi’s “Watch Me” navigate this challenge: saving their world while trying not to fumble a soul mate. Moderated by Ashley Dickerson.
Contributor:
Dickerson, Ashley - Mafi, Tahereh - Dennard, Susan
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
How in the World to Understand our Global Economy with Ian Kumekawa and Patrick McGee
What do your smartphone and a Swedish barge have in common? Although they may seem unassuming, both embody the hidden stories of our global economy. Join historian Ian Kumekawa, “Empty Vessel” and reporter Patrick McGee, “Apple in China” for a conversation about the sudden rise and invisible costs of globalization — and where the global economy is sailing next. Moderated by Ken Biberaj. Sponsor:…
Contributor:
Biberaj, Ken - McGee, Patrick - Kumekawa, Ian
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Unleashing the Bomb: An Oral History, with Garrett M. Graff
In this anniversary year of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, Pulitzer finalist Garrett M. Graff has constructed an elegant oral history of how the decision to drop the atomic bomb was made. Graff’s book “The Devil Reached Toward the Sky” provides a comprehensive perspective on the history and making of the world’s deadliest bomb. Moderated by David M. Rubenstein. Sponsor: General Motors.
Contributor:
Rubenstein, David M. - Graff, Garrett M.
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
“Don’t Corner Me; I Bite!” with Kelly Andrew, Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
You know the saying “come closer, I don’t bite?” Definitely don’t trust that here. Brielle in “The Summer I Ate the Rich” by Maika and Maritza Moulite, and Vivienne in “I Am Made of Death” by Kelly Andrew both have a monstrous bite. For a delicious conversation about girls who fight when cornered, check out this talk, moderated by Shanetia P. Clark.
Contributor:
Andrew, Kelly - Clark, Shanetia P. - Moulite, Maritza - Moulite, Maika
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on Her New Novel, “Dream Count”
What happens when your dreams really do come true? Can the happiness that comes along with it actually last? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s newest novel, “Dream Count,” intertwines the stories of four women at different stages of life as they search for meaning and question the decisions they’ve made so far. Moderated by Michel Martin.
Contributor:
Martin, Michel - Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Dragons and Dark Creatures: Scary or Friendly?
What goes bump in the night…may not be as scary as you think. In Christy Mandin’s “Millie Fleur Saves the Night,” a girl fights to help some peculiar nighttime creatures return to her town, and in Devin Elle Kurtz’s “The Bakery Dragon,” a baker teaches a tiny dragon a valuable lesson in sharing. Moderated by Shadra Strickland.
Contributor:
Mandin, Christy - Strickland, Shadra - Kurtz, Devin Elle
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Kindness Is a Bridge to Friendship with Debbie Levy
How can you become friends with someone you don’t know or understand? Try reaching out with kindness! Debbie Levy’s “The Friendship Train” details the true story of kids working to transport food to the hungry in the aftermath of World War II. Moderated by Monica Valentine.
Contributor:
Valentine, Monica - Levy, Debbie
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Rick Atkinson on the Latest in His American Revolution Trilogy
The United States won the war and gained independence at the close of the American Revolution, but how exactly did we achieve such a feat? In his newest book, “The Fate of the Day,” Rick Atkinson details the middle years of the revolution, when American victory wasn’t always guaranteed. This fresh perspective on the fight for freedom will be moderated by David M. Rubenstein.
Contributor:
Butterfield, Kevin - Atkinson, Rick
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
It Was Just Yesterday: New Takes on Recent History with Paul Elie and Clay Risen
It’s easy to forget, with popular new histories about distant eras, just how influential recent history is. Clay Risen’s “Red Scare” tells the story of McCarthyism after World War II, based in part on recently declassified sources, and Paul Elie’s “The Last Supper” paints a vivid group portrait of influential pop culture figures in the 1980s. Moderated by Kevin Butterfield. Sponsor: Kluge Center.
Contributor:
Butterfield, Kevin - Risen, Clay - Elie, Paul
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
A Dog Is a Reader’s Best Friend: Elias Weiss Friedman, Alexandra Horowitz, Mark Rowlands
Have you ever wondered whether dogs dream? Or maybe you’ve giggled at a goofy dog meme? Join dog cognition expert Alexandra Horowitz, “Inside of a Dog”, philosopher Mark Rowlands, “The Word of Dog”, and popular Instagrammer The Dogist, Elias Weiss Friedman, “This Dog Will Change Your Life”, for a conversation all about a reader’s best friend. Sponsors: Madison Council, General Motors.
Contributor:
Dewillems, Juliana - Horowitz, Alexandra - Friedman, Elias Weiss - Rowlands, Mark
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
“Memorial Days” with Geraldine Brooks
What do you do after receiving the worst phone call of your life? After decades of happy marriage, Geraldine Brooks learned about her husband’s sudden death. In this program, Brooks talks about her new memoir, “Memorial Days,” in which she reflects on the aftermath of his death and the trip she took to give herself time to mourn. Moderator: John Williams. Sponsor: Madison Council.
Contributor:
Williams, John - Newlen, Robert Randolph - Brooks, Geraldine
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Jill Lepore on the History of the Constitution
As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, the Constitution is becoming more important than ever. But how did the founding fathers approach crafting such a document? In her newest book, “We the People,” Jill Lepore chronicles the Constitution’s history using her database at the Amendments Project, highlighting the possibilities proposed amendments could bring, and have brought, to the nation. Moderated by Carlos Lozada. Sponsor: Madison Council.
Contributor:
Lepore, Jill - Lozada, Carlos
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Great Reads from Great Places with Cristina Henríquez and Willy Vlautin
Home isn’t just where the heart is — it’s where our stories live, too. Join Willy Vlautin, “The Horse” and Cristina Henríquez, “The Great Divide” for trips to the Nevada desert and Panama’s shores as they discuss the places at the heart of their stories, which were selected by state Centers for the Book as Great Reads from Great Places. Moderator: Lee Ann Potter.
Contributor:
Henríquez, Cristina - Potter, Lee Ann - Vlautin, Willy
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Sam Tanenhaus on His New Biography of William F. Buckley Jr.
William F. Buckley, the intellectual who fostered the modern conservative revolution, chose biographer Sam Tanenhaus to tell the story of his life, granting him extensive interviews and access to his most private papers. “Buckley” captures the complexity of its subject, including his secret exploits, such as CIA missions in Latin America and collusion with Watergate felon Howard Hunt. Moderator: Robert Costa. Sponsor: Madison Council.
Contributor:
Costa, Robert - Tanenhaus, Sam
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Chronicling America: Discover Digitized Historic Newspapers Online
Find the hidden gems within old headlines using Chronicling America, the Library of Congress’ free digital collection of historical newspapers. Perfect for educators, students, genealogists and local history enthusiasts, this workshop offers expert tips for searching, uncovering fascinating stories and using research guides to spark new journeys into the past.
Contributor:
Pike, Robin
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
2025 National Book Festival Opening Celebration
The 2025 National Book Festival Opening Celebration celebrated the authors, moderators, and sponsors that participate in the National Book Festival. On the eve of the 2025 National Book Festival, join Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Randolph Newlen and festival co-chair David M. Rubenstein as they welcome five of the dozens of authors appearing at this year’s festival. This special event, live from the Library…
Contributor:
Barnett, Mac - Newlen, Robert R. - Turow, Scott - Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi - Green, John - Henríquez, Cristina - Rubenstein, David
Super by Chance, Hero by Choice with Leah Johnson and Chris Raschka
Who hasn’t dreamt of wielding superpowers? Bree and Peachaloo don’t have to: they’ve got telekinesis and human lie detector skills! What good can you do with these powers, and what trouble can you get into? Join Leah Johnson, “Bree Boyd Is a Legend” and Chris Raschka, “Peachaloo in Bloom” to hear about the shenanigans of superpowered preteens. Moderated by Dianne Choie.
Contributor:
Johnson, Leah - Choie, Dianne - Raschka, Chris
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
It’s Gonna Get Scary in Here: Eerie Reads
The time has come. No more kid gloves. It’s time to scare your pants off! Kaylani’s summer starts glamorously ??? until death comes knocking in Tiffany D. Jackson’s “Blood in the Water.” Casey is excited about a sleepover, until his guest starts looking less and less human in Paul Tremblay’s “Another.” Get your spine tingling in this event moderated by Jummy Olabanji.
Contributor:
Jackson, Tiffany D. - Tremblay, Paul - Olabanji, Jummy
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
We’re All A New Kid Sometime: Books About Fitting In
Sometimes being a kid is hard, but being the new kid is even harder. In Gale Galligan’s “Fresh Start,” Ollie learns that her family is settling down, so she has to learn how to make friends at her new school, and in J.E. Thomas’s “The AI Incident,” things get weird when an AI-powered robot comes to Malcolm’s new school. Moderated by Kit Ballenger.
Contributor:
Thomas, J.E. - Ballenger, Kit - Galligan, Gale
Date:2025-09-06
Film, Video
Spiders! Volcanoes! Our Scary and Amazing World
The world around us can be terrifying at times– but it’s also really cool. Eleanor Spicer Rice’s graphic novel “The Deadliest: Spider” pits the six most venomous spiders against each other to see which is the deadliest, and Jorge Cham’s illustrated novel “Oliver’s Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot!” explores terrifying yet awesome facts about volcanoes. Moderator: Jennifer “JJ” Harbster. Sponsor: General Motors.
What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You More Awkward: Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia
Is it butterflies or excruciating abdominal pain you feel in your stomach when you catch the glance of your crush for the hundredth time? Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia will gladly let you know as they discuss the embarrassing love lives of their two protagonists in “On Again, Awkward Again.” Moderated not at all awkwardly by Ashleigh Rose.
Finding Hope: Thinking About the Environment with Kate Marvel and Alan Weisman
How does it feel to live in a changing world? To feel one way about the environment and another way about it the next day? Kate Marvel, “Human Nature” and Alan Weisman, “Hope Dies Last” have been asking themselves those questions and weaving together stories of hope, resilience and grief to help us think deeply about nature. Sponsor: General Motors.
Contributor:
Broughton, Jason - Weisman, Alan - Marvel, Kate
Film, VideoWhat You Need in the Game of Life with Channelle Desamours You got what you wanted: a special power, a dream internship??? Now what? In Channelle Desamours’ “Needy Little Things,” Sariyah can sense people’s needs, but she’s not sure if having powers will help or hinder her search for her friend. Moderated by Sasha Dowdy.
Film, VideoStake It or Leave It: Speculative Fiction with Nnedi Okorafor and V.E. Schwab When the world has no place for you, what do you do? Fight, surrender or begin anew? Nnedi Okorafor’s experimental book-within-a-book, “Death of the Author,” creates a new reality for Zelu, a disabled Nigerian woman, to become her truest self. V.E. Schwab’s “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil” interweaves the stories of women throughout time, with a vampiric twist.
Film, VideoThat Boy Is Cute (but Let Me Save the World First) with Susan Dennard and Tahereh Mafi If given half a chance, we would all stand up to save our world! But what do you do when, during all that, you fall for a very fine human specimen? Protagonists in Susan Dennard’s “Executioners Three” and Tahereh Mafi’s “Watch Me” navigate this challenge: saving their world while trying not to fumble a soul mate. Moderated by Ashley Dickerson.
Film, VideoHow in the World to Understand our Global Economy with Ian Kumekawa and Patrick McGee What do your smartphone and a Swedish barge have in common? Although they may seem unassuming, both embody the hidden stories of our global economy. Join historian Ian Kumekawa, “Empty Vessel” and reporter Patrick McGee, “Apple in China” for a conversation about the sudden rise and invisible costs of globalization — and where the global economy is sailing next. Moderated by Ken Biberaj. Sponsor:…
Film, VideoUnleashing the Bomb: An Oral History, with Garrett M. Graff In this anniversary year of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, Pulitzer finalist Garrett M. Graff has constructed an elegant oral history of how the decision to drop the atomic bomb was made. Graff’s book “The Devil Reached Toward the Sky” provides a comprehensive perspective on the history and making of the world’s deadliest bomb. Moderated by David M. Rubenstein. Sponsor: General Motors.
Film, Video“Don’t Corner Me; I Bite!” with Kelly Andrew, Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite You know the saying “come closer, I don’t bite?” Definitely don’t trust that here. Brielle in “The Summer I Ate the Rich” by Maika and Maritza Moulite, and Vivienne in “I Am Made of Death” by Kelly Andrew both have a monstrous bite. For a delicious conversation about girls who fight when cornered, check out this talk, moderated by Shanetia P. Clark.
Film, VideoChimamanda Ngozi Adichie on Her New Novel, “Dream Count” What happens when your dreams really do come true? Can the happiness that comes along with it actually last? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s newest novel, “Dream Count,” intertwines the stories of four women at different stages of life as they search for meaning and question the decisions they’ve made so far. Moderated by Michel Martin.
Film, VideoDragons and Dark Creatures: Scary or Friendly? What goes bump in the night…may not be as scary as you think. In Christy Mandin’s “Millie Fleur Saves the Night,” a girl fights to help some peculiar nighttime creatures return to her town, and in Devin Elle Kurtz’s “The Bakery Dragon,” a baker teaches a tiny dragon a valuable lesson in sharing. Moderated by Shadra Strickland.
Film, VideoKindness Is a Bridge to Friendship with Debbie Levy How can you become friends with someone you don’t know or understand? Try reaching out with kindness! Debbie Levy’s “The Friendship Train” details the true story of kids working to transport food to the hungry in the aftermath of World War II. Moderated by Monica Valentine.
Film, VideoRick Atkinson on the Latest in His American Revolution Trilogy The United States won the war and gained independence at the close of the American Revolution, but how exactly did we achieve such a feat? In his newest book, “The Fate of the Day,” Rick Atkinson details the middle years of the revolution, when American victory wasn’t always guaranteed. This fresh perspective on the fight for freedom will be moderated by David M. Rubenstein.
Film, VideoIt Was Just Yesterday: New Takes on Recent History with Paul Elie and Clay Risen It’s easy to forget, with popular new histories about distant eras, just how influential recent history is. Clay Risen’s “Red Scare” tells the story of McCarthyism after World War II, based in part on recently declassified sources, and Paul Elie’s “The Last Supper” paints a vivid group portrait of influential pop culture figures in the 1980s. Moderated by Kevin Butterfield. Sponsor: Kluge Center.
Film, VideoA Dog Is a Reader’s Best Friend: Elias Weiss Friedman, Alexandra Horowitz, Mark Rowlands Have you ever wondered whether dogs dream? Or maybe you’ve giggled at a goofy dog meme? Join dog cognition expert Alexandra Horowitz, “Inside of a Dog”, philosopher Mark Rowlands, “The Word of Dog”, and popular Instagrammer The Dogist, Elias Weiss Friedman, “This Dog Will Change Your Life”, for a conversation all about a reader’s best friend. Sponsors: Madison Council, General Motors.
Film, Video“Memorial Days” with Geraldine Brooks What do you do after receiving the worst phone call of your life? After decades of happy marriage, Geraldine Brooks learned about her husband’s sudden death. In this program, Brooks talks about her new memoir, “Memorial Days,” in which she reflects on the aftermath of his death and the trip she took to give herself time to mourn. Moderator: John Williams. Sponsor: Madison Council.
Film, VideoJill Lepore on the History of the Constitution As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, the Constitution is becoming more important than ever. But how did the founding fathers approach crafting such a document? In her newest book, “We the People,” Jill Lepore chronicles the Constitution’s history using her database at the Amendments Project, highlighting the possibilities proposed amendments could bring, and have brought, to the nation. Moderated by Carlos Lozada. Sponsor: Madison Council.
Film, VideoGreat Reads from Great Places with Cristina Henríquez and Willy Vlautin Home isn’t just where the heart is — it’s where our stories live, too. Join Willy Vlautin, “The Horse” and Cristina Henríquez, “The Great Divide” for trips to the Nevada desert and Panama’s shores as they discuss the places at the heart of their stories, which were selected by state Centers for the Book as Great Reads from Great Places. Moderator: Lee Ann Potter.
Film, VideoSam Tanenhaus on His New Biography of William F. Buckley Jr. William F. Buckley, the intellectual who fostered the modern conservative revolution, chose biographer Sam Tanenhaus to tell the story of his life, granting him extensive interviews and access to his most private papers. “Buckley” captures the complexity of its subject, including his secret exploits, such as CIA missions in Latin America and collusion with Watergate felon Howard Hunt. Moderator: Robert Costa. Sponsor: Madison Council.
Film, VideoChronicling America: Discover Digitized Historic Newspapers Online Find the hidden gems within old headlines using Chronicling America, the Library of Congress’ free digital collection of historical newspapers. Perfect for educators, students, genealogists and local history enthusiasts, this workshop offers expert tips for searching, uncovering fascinating stories and using research guides to spark new journeys into the past.
Film, Video2025 National Book Festival Opening Celebration The 2025 National Book Festival Opening Celebration celebrated the authors, moderators, and sponsors that participate in the National Book Festival. On the eve of the 2025 National Book Festival, join Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Randolph Newlen and festival co-chair David M. Rubenstein as they welcome five of the dozens of authors appearing at this year’s festival. This special event, live from the Library…
Film, Video
Film, VideoSuper by Chance, Hero by Choice with Leah Johnson and Chris Raschka Who hasn’t dreamt of wielding superpowers? Bree and Peachaloo don’t have to: they’ve got telekinesis and human lie detector skills! What good can you do with these powers, and what trouble can you get into? Join Leah Johnson, “Bree Boyd Is a Legend” and Chris Raschka, “Peachaloo in Bloom” to hear about the shenanigans of superpowered preteens. Moderated by Dianne Choie.
Film, VideoIt’s Gonna Get Scary in Here: Eerie Reads The time has come. No more kid gloves. It’s time to scare your pants off! Kaylani’s summer starts glamorously ??? until death comes knocking in Tiffany D. Jackson’s “Blood in the Water.” Casey is excited about a sleepover, until his guest starts looking less and less human in Paul Tremblay’s “Another.” Get your spine tingling in this event moderated by Jummy Olabanji.
Film, VideoWe’re All A New Kid Sometime: Books About Fitting In Sometimes being a kid is hard, but being the new kid is even harder. In Gale Galligan’s “Fresh Start,” Ollie learns that her family is settling down, so she has to learn how to make friends at her new school, and in J.E. Thomas’s “The AI Incident,” things get weird when an AI-powered robot comes to Malcolm’s new school. Moderated by Kit Ballenger.
Film, VideoSpiders! Volcanoes! Our Scary and Amazing World The world around us can be terrifying at times– but it’s also really cool. Eleanor Spicer Rice’s graphic novel “The Deadliest: Spider” pits the six most venomous spiders against each other to see which is the deadliest, and Jorge Cham’s illustrated novel “Oliver’s Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot!” explores terrifying yet awesome facts about volcanoes. Moderator: Jennifer “JJ” Harbster. Sponsor: General Motors.
Film, VideoWhat Doesn’t Kill You Makes You More Awkward: Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia Is it butterflies or excruciating abdominal pain you feel in your stomach when you catch the glance of your crush for the hundredth time? Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia will gladly let you know as they discuss the embarrassing love lives of their two protagonists in “On Again, Awkward Again.” Moderated not at all awkwardly by Ashleigh Rose.
Film, VideoFinding Hope: Thinking About the Environment with Kate Marvel and Alan Weisman How does it feel to live in a changing world? To feel one way about the environment and another way about it the next day? Kate Marvel, “Human Nature” and Alan Weisman, “Hope Dies Last” have been asking themselves those questions and weaving together stories of hope, resilience and grief to help us think deeply about nature. Sponsor: General Motors.