250 Books for the Country's 250th

In celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary, the Brooklyn Public Library has curated a list of 250 books that have profoundly shaped American culture and history. Host Brian Lehrer speaks with Linda E. Johnson, the library’s president and CEO, about the initiative, which was driven by librarians and supported by notable Brooklynites like Alana Glazer, Constance Wu, and Ethan Hawke. The list includes iconic works such as *Common Sense*, *The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin*, *The Scarlet Letter*, *Walden*, *The 1619 Project*, *March* by John Lewis, and *The Snowy Day*. Johnson emphasizes the list’s inclusivity, highlighting underrepresented voices and stories often overlooked in past milestone celebrations. She also discusses the project’s goal of making literature accessible and relevant, with an exhibition planned at the Central Library and a call for other libraries to join the movement. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the books that have shaped their lives and to use the library as a personal guide to discovery.