Episode 7: Talkin' Talking Books at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Books Library

Acclaimed author Neil Gaiman performs a memorable dramatic reading from NYPL’s own rare copy of "A Christmas Carol," which includes edits and prompts Charles Dickens wrote in his own hand for his unique public readings 150 years ago. Dressed in full costume and joined by writer and BBC researcher Molly Oldfield, Gaiman performs the classic tale as its great author intended.

Neil Gaiman Reads "A Christmas Carol"

The beloved writer talks to fellow bestselling author Sloane Crosley about the challenges of putting personal tragedy and illusory pleasure into words.

Joan Didion on Writing & Revising

Chris Billias is interviewed by Evdokia Sofos for "Your Village, Your Story: Greenwich Village Oral History Project." Chris describes his experience as a teenager sneaking into bars and clubs in Greenwich Village. He also mentions bringing dates to the Staten Island Ferry at the time.

Chris Billias

Ann Patchett, the award-winning author of numerous books including “Bel Canto” and “State of Wonder,” joins her good friend Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the hit bestseller “Eat, Pray, Love,” to talk about the challenges and joys of their craft. In this thrilling conversation, Patchett and Gilbert ask each other how and why they write, covering everything from grief, to frustration, to divine inspiration.

Ann Patchett & Elizabeth Gilbert on Writing

NYPL’s Thomas Knowlton reads “Self Portrait at 28,” a poem by David Berman.


Find it at NYPL: http://nypl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/14465017052907_actual_air

Find it online: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/self-portrait-at-28/

Music: Chris Zabriskie, “That Kid in Fourth Grade Who Really Liked the Denver Broncos”

More info on The New York Public Library’s 30 Days of Poetry: www.nypl.org/blog/2015/04/01/30-days-poetry

“Self Portrait at 28” by David Berman

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A Tribute to Octavia E. Butler

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Bronx Library Center's Podcast: July 2025

This week, we’re taking you back in the archives to a captivating conversation with Patti Smith, the beloved and critically acclaimed artist and performer. Smith came to the Library in 2010 to mark the release of her book “Just Kids,” which chronicles her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in 1960s and 70s New York City. Joined by NYPL’s Paul Holdengraber, Patti Smith takes the stage to discuss friendship, youth, and her creative awakening — and maybe even sing a song or two.

Patti Smith on Youth & Friendship

Bronx Library Center's Podcast: August 2025

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Bronx Library Center's Podcast: November 2025

NYPL's Rosa Caballero-Li reads a selection from "Drown" by Junot Díaz.

Find it at NYPL: https://nypl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/16769296052907_drown

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Rosa Caballero-Li de la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York (NYPL) lee una selección de "Aguantando," una historia escrita por Junot Díaz.

Encuéntrelo en NYPL: https://nypl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/16769296052907_drown

"Drown" / "Aguantando" by Junot Díaz

Musician, writer and artist Patti Smith returns to the podcast this fall to discuss her new memoir “M Train,” a follow-up to her 2010 National Book Award-winning debut memoir, “Just Kids.” In a conversation with NYPL’s Paul Holdengraber, Smith talks about art, the city, and the experiences she’s gained during her prolific and eclectic career.

Patti Smith on Authors She Loves

NYPL's Vilma Álvarez reads a selection from "How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez.

Find it at NYPL: https://nypl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/18231753052907_how_the_garcia_girls_lost_their_accents

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Vilma Álvarez de la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York (NYPL) lee una selección de "De cómo las muchachas García perdieron el acento," un libro escrito por Julia Alvarez.

Encuéntrelo en NYPL: https://nypl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/17883433052907_de_c%C3%B3mo_las_muchachas_garcia_perdieron_el_acento

"De cómo las muchachas García perdieron el acento" by Julia Alvarez

This week, we’re delighted to welcome sports legend and businessman Shaquille O’Neal, whose nineteen-year basketball career made him a three-time Finals MVP, a four-time NBA champion, and a fifteen-time All-Star. This fall, he comes to NYPL to celebrate the release of his new children’s book, “Little Shaq.” In a fun and provocative conversation with NYPL’s Paul Holdengraber, Shaq discusses reading, dunking, and the value of having a sense of humor.

Shaquille O'Neal on Germany, Rap, & Slam Dunks

We’re kicking off Black History Month with Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison, who came to NYPL in 2010 for a conversation with activist and author Angela Davis. In this wide-ranging talk, Morrison and Davis discuss Frederick Douglass, education, and liberation.

Toni Morrison and Angela Davis on Connecting for Progress

NYPL's Chasity Moreno reads from Viola's monologue in "Twelfth Night."

April 23, 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and the Western world is celebrating with performances, exhibitions, programs, talks, screenings, and other cultural happenings. As part of NYPL’s contribution, we asked thirty staff members to select and read their favorite Shakespeare speech, monologue, or sonnet. We will release one each day throughout the month of April.

"Twelfth Night," Viola's Monologue

Yanis Varoufakis considers himself a politician by necessity, not by choice. An economist and academic by training, he became Greece’s finance minister amidst the country's financial crisis, creating an image for himself both beloved and reviled. He came to the Library last April to discuss this complicated role and his recent book, And the Weak Suffer What They Must?: Europe's Crisis and America's Economic Future. He was joined in conversation by  renowned academic and theorist Noam Chomsky.

Yanis Varoufakis and Noam Chomsky on Money and The Sickest Joke in the History of Humankind

This week we’re joined by two legendary women from very different artistic backgrounds, performance artist Marina Abramović and rock singer Debbie Harry of Blondie. The two share stories and insights from their lives and art as they discuss Abramovic’s new memoir, Walk Through Walls.

Marina Abramović and Debbie Harry on Doubt and Diaries

The Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright was joined in May by members of the Broadway cast of Sweat to talk about the play and the issues behind it at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

The New York Public Library Podcast

Lynn Nottage & Sweat

MIT linguist, philosopher, and political theorist Noam Chomsky speaks with actor and playwright Wallace Shawn, diving behind the headlines in an attempt to rigorously and rationally think through the political complications of American life today.

Noam Chomsky and Wallace Shawn

Today on the show: Ibram X. Kendi, the best-selling historian and author the National Book Award–winning Stamped from the Beginning, in conversation with Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Harvard professor and Director Emeritus of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Recorded at the Schomburg back in June, the conversation on Kendi's history of racist ideas in America feels especially urgent given the recent events in Charlottesville recently. Stamped from the Beginning: the Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America anti-black racist ideas in America from Puritan minister Cotton Mather to Thomas Jefferson, from fiery abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison to brilliant scholar W. E. B. Du Bois to legendary anti-prison activist Angela Davis. Kendi's dialogue with Muhammad dialogue highlighted how and why some of our leading proslavery and pro-civil rights thinkers have challenged or helped cement racist ideas in America.

Podcast #178: Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped from the Beginning

Frank and Gwen traverse the globe and beyond this week, with two dystopian books about life on other planets and a memoir about international travel, journalism, and feminism. Plus: Banned Books Week and, yes, Belinda Carlisle.

Heaven Is a Place on... Another Planet? The Librarian Is In Podcast, Ep. 58

The 'Interview with Arthur Avilés' was conducted by Ramón Rivera-Servera in 2016.  In this excerpt, Avilés speaks about his 'Maéva/Middle March' (2000) and the inspiration behind naming his company, Arthur Avilés Typical Theater.

Arthur Avilés interviewed by Ramón Rivera-Servera, 2016

The 'Interview with Donna Uchizono' was conducted by Levi Gonzalez in 2016. In this excerpt, Uchizono speaks about the influences of practicing surfing and encountering visual art while living in California during the 1970s.

Donna Uchizono interviewed by Levi Gonzalez, 2016

8. The Not-Quite-Quiet Library

7. Never Call It a Night Again

6. I'd Call a Cab to Anywhere

5. For the Love of Noisy Neighbors

4. Out in Left Field

3. Serenity Is a Rowdy City Park

2. Romancing Rush Hour

1. To See an Underground Show

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