Each year the Library hosts readings, lectures, and discussions by authors and other public figures. You may watch video recordings of recent programs on our YouTube channel. Our archive of audio recordings goes back more than 10 years and includes thousands of memorable Library events.
2014 Seattle Reads “For All of Us, One Today”: Meet Author Richard Blanco
Come meet Richard Blanco and join in a discussion with the writer and other readers about Blanco's memoir, "For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet's Journey." Recorded on April 29, 2014.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 32.59MB] [Play time: 1 hr 11 min]
2014 Seattle Reads “For All of Us, One Today”: Poetry Reading by Richard Blanco
Join us for an evening of poetry with Richard Blanco, author of "For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet's Journey." Blanco reads a selection of poems from his body of work. Recorded on April 28, 2014.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 38.15MB] [Play time: 1 hr 23 min]
2014 Seattle Reads “For All of Us, One Today”: Main Event with Richard Blanco
Book-It Repertory Theatre presents staged readings from "For All Of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet's Journey." Author Richard Blanco joins the director and cast for post-performance discussion. Recorded on April 26, 2014.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 39.71MB] [Play time: 1 hr 26 min]
Lorrie Moore reads from 'Bark: Stories'
Moore's new collection of short stories -- her first in 15 years since "Birds of America" -- explores the passage of time and summons up its inevitable sorrows and hilarious pitfalls.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 30.25MB] [Play time: 1 hr 06 min]
Dinaw Mengestu reads from 'All Our Names'
Award-winning author Dinaw Mengestu talks about his new novel "All Our Names," a story about exile and the loneliness and fragmentation of lives that straddle countries and histories.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 21.68MB] [Play time: 0 hr 47 min]
Join Brad Evans for a book talk and clips from Edward Curtis' 1914 silent film
Co-editor Brad Evans discusses "Return to the Land of the Head Hunters: Edward S. Curtis, the Kwakwaka'wakw, and the Making of Modern Cinema" and shows clips from Curtis' 1914 silent film.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 22.75MB] [Play time: 0 hr 49 min]
Alain de Botton presents an illustrated talk about 'The News: A User's Guide'
Alain de Botton discusses his latest book, "The News: A User's Guide," which takes a thought-provoking look at the manic and peculiar position that news has achieved in our lives.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 27.83MB] [Play time: 1 hr 00 min]
Susan Beilby Magee presents 'Into the Light: The Healing Art of Kalman Aron'
Join Susan Magee for an illustrated talk about Kalman Aron, a master artist and one of the last European émigré career artists still alive who survived the Holocaust.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 26.04MB] [Play time: 0 hr 56 min]
Four Teen Authors present New Books and Embarrassing Early Works
Authors Adele Griffin, Robin Wasserman, Sarah Mlynowski and E. Lockhart will read from their latest works for young adults, as well as some of their cringe-worthy early writings.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 30.43MB] [Play time: 1 hr 06 min]
Pitt Poetry Series presents Robin Becker, Barbara Hamby and Alicia Ostriker
Join poets Robin Becker, Barbara Hamby and Alicia Ostriker for readings from three new books of poems. University of Pittsburgh Press presents an evening of poetry from three distinguished poets with distinctly different voices.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 19.49MB] [Play time: 0 hr 42 min]