Excerpted from The Museum of Rain by Dave Eggers, courtesy of Scribd Originals and McSweeney’s.

Dave Eggers, The Museum Of Rain (Audio Excerpt)

Excerpted from Seek You by Kristen Radtke, courtesy of Pantheon.

Kristen Radtke, Seek You (Audio Excerpt)

Co-sponsored by the Onassis Foundation LA

Hannah Arendt is one of the most renowned political thinkers of the twentieth century, and her work has never been more relevant than it is today. Born in Germany in 1906, Arendt published her first book at the age of twenty-three, before turning away from the world of academic philosophy to reckon with the rise of the Third Reich. After World War II, Arendt became one of the most prominent—and controversial—public intellectuals of her time, publishing influential works such as The Origins of Totalitarianism, The Human Condition, and Eichmann in Jerusalem. Samantha Rose Hill weaves together new biographical detail, archival documents, poems, and correspondence to reveal a woman whose passion for the life of the mind was nourished by her love of the world.

Samantha Rose Hill in conversation with Paul Holdengräber

Mary Gaitskill reads from the novel Cloud Splitter by Russell Banks.

Mary Gaitskill reads from Cloud Splitter

Mary Gaitskill reads from "Signs and Symbols," a story by Vladimir Nabokov.

Mary Gaitskill Reads "Signs and Symbols"

Mary Gaitskill reads an excerpt from Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Anne Porter.

Mary Gaitskill Reads from Pale Horse, Pale Rider

The opening film of the Refocus Film Festival, Bones and All, offered a remarkable opportunity for a conversation between screenwriter and producer David Kajganich and novelist Camille DeAngelis in discussion about David's process of adapting her novel to the screen.

Refocus Film Festival: Conversation with David Kajganich & Novelist Camille DeAngelis

Paul Holdengraber talks with Neil Gaiman about life, death, and Dennis Potter.

Neil Gaiman, part one

In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber talks to Elizabeth Gilbert about self-loathing, the art of working, and the work of art.

Elizabeth Gilbert, part one

In part two of Paul Holdengraber's conversation with Elizabeth Gilbert they discuss reading for pleasure and reading for work, embracing the glorious mess, and the genius of Jack Gilbert.

Elizabeth Gilbert, part 2

In part one of this conversation between Paul Holdengraber and Edwidge Danticat, death is discussed in fulsome detail.

Edwidge Danticat, part one

Paul Holdengraber talks to Cory Doctorow about moving, privacy, and our relationship to technology.

Cory Doctorow

In part one of Paul Holdengraber's conversation with William Gibson topics include the future, the past, and how weird and cool the phone is.

William Gibson, part one

William Gibson, part two

In which Jhumpa Lahiri and Paul Holdengraber discuss the old-world family unit, bad conversation, and the pleasure of physical books.

Jhumpa Lahiri, part one.

In part one of their conversation, Paul Holdengraber and Adam Phillips discuss writing habits, Jacques Lacan, and how are parents make us who we are. More at LitHub.com.

Adam Phillips, part one.

In the second part of their conversation, Paul Holdengraber and Adam Phillips discuss Walt Whitman, self-discovery, and American rock n' roll. For more Phone Calls From Paul, visit LitHub.com.

Adam Phillips, part two.

Laurie Anderson talks to Paul Holdengraber about art, virtual reality, and telling jokes on stage. For more, visit LitHub.com.


Laurie Anderson, part one.

In part one of Werner Herzog's wide-ranging conversation with Paul Holdengraber, the two discuss the human side of massive volcanoes, making promises to North Koreans, and that thing known as the Internet. For more, visit LitHub.com.

Werner Herzog, part one.

John Berger talks with Paul Holdengraber about President Donald Trump, the emptiness of American political commentary, desire, place, and how the hell to keep going.

In conversation with John Berger

A Conversation with Bryan Stevenson

Paul Auster talks to Paul Holdengraber about the nature of the unexpected, the nature of the self, and the cruel nature of Donald Trump. Auster's new novel, 4 3 2 1 is available January 31 from Henry Holt.

A conversation with Paul Auster

Maira Kalman talks to Paul Holdengraber about the search for meaning, finding your limits, and the pleasures of being a mother and a grandmother.

A Conversation with Maira Kalman

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the memoirist Michael Frank about his new book, "The Mighty Franks," the lives we could have led, and searching for the truth in our own past. For more, visit LitHub.com.

A Conversation With Michael Frank

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Marlon James about why he hates the word inspiration, why writing is work, and xxx. For more, visit LitHub.com.

A Conversation with Marlon James

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the award-winning author Ursula K. Le Guin on the blurring of fact and fiction, the problem with celebrities, and the anxiety of influence. For more, visit LitHub.com.

A Conversation with Ursula K Le Guin

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American journalist and author about her new book on the 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire, the future of libraries and public spaces, and the smell of books. For more, visit LitHub.com.

A Conversation with Susan Orlean

In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber reaches Alexander Chee in Italy and asks him about mentors (and mentoring), his favorite Italian writers, virtues great and small, and the need for fiction to address the violent reality we live in. For more, visit LitHub.com.

A Conversation with Alexander Chee

In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul, Paul Holdengraber plays music from Terry Tempest Williams' childhood and talks to her about beauty, the twin elements of joy and sorrow, and the power and importance of the human voice. For more, visit LitHub.com.

A Phone Call From Paul

A Converation with Terry Tempest Williams

In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with Sameen Rushdie about racist attitudes towards food, food as language and a means of connection, the senselessness of a divided world, and the Rushdie family’s Christmas traditions. For more, visit LitHub.com.

A Conversation with Sameen Rushdie

Marie-Helene Bertino is the author of the novels Parakeet and 2 a.m. at The Cat's Pajamas, and the story collection Safe as Houses. Her fourth book, the novel Beautyland, is forthcoming from FSG. More info: www.mariehelenebertino.com

Charles Hagerty is an American actor, singer and voice artist. He has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in the West End and on tours around the world. Originally from Philadelphia, he now calls London home.

North Of

Stephen Berkman reads from an excerpt from his new book, Predicting the Past, diving into New York's bohemian underworld.

Predicting The Past: Plate 9

You have reached Literary Hub's aural department. Because sometimes the words are better when they're out of your head. More at LitHub.com.

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