Library Talks

In April 2014, Amazon and Hachette locked horns in what has become a very public, and still ongoing, battle over contract negotiations. After the online retailer removed the pre-order option, imposed shipping delays, and slashed discounts on the book publisher's titles, the reaction against Amazon was swift and fierce. But the story of the Amazon-Hachette dispute is anything but simple, and raises critical questions about the future of the book publishing industry. What is really at stake for the companies, authors and readers? What larger issues of free-market capitalism and free speech are at play? And what does the Amazon-Hachette dispute reveal about the future of the publishing industry in the age of e-books?

Direct download: 22._Amazon_-_7314_2.01_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:20pm EDT

When you've written biographies on Sophia Loren, Ernest Hemingway and Doris Day you're bound to have some pretty incredible stories. This week on the podcast we join editor, novelist, playwright, and biographer A. E. Hotchner as he reflects on some memorable moments from impressive career. 

Direct download: 21._Hotchner_-_62614_2.08_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

On this episode of The New York Public Library Podcast, Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgaard dissects the latest volume of his critically acclaimed autobiography, My Struggle—and the controversy that surrounds it—with Jeffrey Eugenides, author of The Virgin Suicides.

Direct download: 20._Knausgaard_Eugenides_-_62314_2.19_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:38pm EDT

This week on The New York Public Library Podcast, filmmaker John Waters comes to us with tales from his latest book, Carsick, which chronicles his adventures hitchhiking across the United States.

Direct download: 19._Waters_-_6514_1.58_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:20pm EDT

This week, The New York Public Library Podcast welcomes the Irish novelist, playwright, and critic Colm Tóibín to Books at Noon, the Library’s new series of free lunchtime author talks.

Direct download: 18._Toilbin_-_53014_1.53_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:02pm EDT

This week on The New York Public Library Podcast, renowned visual artist Kara Walker joins Radiolab host Jad Abumrad to discuss her new show at Domino Sugar Factory, and explore the complicated history of sugar, sex, sweetness, and power.

Direct download: 17._Walker_Abumrad_-_52114_4.41_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am EDT

Chuck Palahniuk is best known as the author of the novels Fight Club and Choke. Douglas Coupland is the author of the international bestsellers Generation A and JPod. This week on The New York Public Library Podcast, the two take to the stage at LIVE from the NYPL for a literary conversation that doubles as a social experiment.

Direct download: 16._Copeland_Palahniuk_-_51614_2.11_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:36pm EDT

This week, The New York Public Library Podcast welcomes Tony Award-winning playwright, performer, and activist Eve Ensler to Books at Noon, the Library’s new series of free lunchtime author talks.

Direct download: 15._Ensler_-_5914_1.48_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:57pm EDT

This week on The New York Public Library podcast, LIVE from the NYPL welcomes three leaders of the craft beer movement. Brooklyn Brewery cofounder Steve Hindy—joined by Kim Jordan, New Belgium Brewing Company CEO, and Charlie Papazian founder of the American Homebrewers Association—recounts how craft brewers have forever changed the way the world experiences beer.

Direct download: 14._Hindy_-_42914_2.45_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:04pm EDT

This week, The New York Public Library podcast welcomes acclaimed novelist Joyce Carol Oates to Books at Noon, the Library’s new series of free lunchtime author talks.

Direct download: 13._Oats_-_41714_5.39_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:33pm EDT