Non-Fiction
July 1 – September 9
Wednesdays, 7pm–8pm
Explore history through lectures and conversations with leading historians, authors, and thinkers. Gain fresh perspectives on the great figures and decisive moments that have shaped our world as we know it today.
Books will be available for purchase during each event.
Produced in partnership with The New York Historical
Non-fiction lineup
July 1, 2026 – September 9, 2026
Wednesdays, 7pm-8pm
July 1: National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America by Michael Auslin
July 8: All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money by Megan Gorman
July 15: Murder on the Mississippi: The Shocking Crimes That Shaped Abraham Lincoln by Saladin Ambar
July 22: Angelica: For Love & Country in a Time of Revolution by Molly Beer
July 29: Liberation Summer: The Moment That Changed the Women's Movement and the Future of American Politics with Micki McElya
August 5: You Can’t Catch Us: Lady Bird Johnson’s Trailblazing 1964 Campaign Train and the Women Who Rode with Her by Shannon McKenna Schmidt
August 12: To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right by Christopher Mathias
August 19: Revenge for the Sixties: Sam Alito and the Triumph of the Conservative Legal Movement by Peter S. Canellos
August 26: Boss Lincoln: The Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln by Matthew Pinsker
September 2: The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by
Garrett M. Graff
September 9: Fire in the Heart of the City: The Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy and the Origins of Modern Charity by David Conrad-Pérez
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Wed. September 9, 2026
at 7:00pmNon-Fiction: The Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy and the Origins of Modern Charity
What's special about the Bryant Park Reading Room?
- It's one of Bryant Park’s most historic amenities. It originally began in 1935 during the Great Depression as a public service, and was revived by Bryant Park Corporation in 2003.
- It's a casual, family-friendly, open-air space for readers of all ages!
- It hosts literary events and writers workshops all summer long.
- It provides free-to-read periodicals and books for visitors every day from 11am-7pm.
- It's award-winning! The Reading Room has received numerous awards for demonstrating excellence, partnership, and creativity in enhancing New York City's quality of life.
Look for the yellow umbrellas on the north side of the park near the 42nd Street plaza.
Open daily, April to September, 11am-7pm to lend books, magazines, and newspapers for reading in the park.
Reading Room is open to all ages, and kids are welcome!
Find reading material for kids in their own colorful rack or join us for StoryTime.
Follow @bryantparknyc for day-of event updates
Visit our calendar for all upcoming events, including author talks, history panels, writers workshops, and much more!
