Culture

The Great American Read

A journey through America that introduces our list of the 100 best-loved books and explores the many ways in which these novels affect, reflect and connect us all.

Grand Finale

55m 46s

The final episode of The Great American Read will celebrate all 100 books on the list of this immensely popular campaign, reveal the top voted titles in multiple categories, and unveil the novel that Americans have picked as their #1 best-loved book.

Episodes

  • Grand Finale: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Grand Finale

    S1 E8 - 55m 46s

    The final episode of The Great American Read will celebrate all 100 books on the list of this immensely popular campaign, reveal the top voted titles in multiple categories, and unveil the novel that Americans have picked as their #1 best-loved book.

  • Other Worlds: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Other Worlds

    S1 E7 - 52m 24s

    Many novels on America’s list of 100 favorites take us to other worlds. From fantasy to science fiction, historical fiction to stories of spiritual realms, what do these books tell us about our own world? We examine how these novels help us think about real-life and present-day issues.

  • What We Do For Love: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    What We Do For Love

    S1 E6 - 52m 19s

    How do our favorite novels reflect what we do for love? From classic romance to family dramas, from unrequited passion to unforgettable first love, we take a look at our best-loved books that feature the most important emotion in our lives. And we examine why we are drawn to these stories.

  • Villains and Monsters: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Villains and Monsters

    S1 E5 - 53m 53s

    How do novels featuring our favorite villains and monsters help us understand why people behave badly? We examine the evil characters in our favorite novels, to find out why we go to the dark side. We also meet authors who have created some of our best-loved villains.

  • Heroes: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Heroes

    S1 E4 - 52m 25s

    We examine books on America’s list that feature heroic characters. Celebrities, literary experts, authors and everyday book lovers discuss why our favorite heroes are complex and relatable, from the everyday hero to the tragic and unlikely or anti-hero.

  • Who Am I?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Who Am I?

    S1 E3 - 52m 24s

    How do the books we love answer the question “Who am I?” We explore first-person narratives and other ways authors tell stories of characters on personal journeys. From navigating the teen years through discovering our “chosen families,” these novels can help us find ourselves at any age.

  • Fall Kick-off: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fall Kick-off

    S1 E2 - 53m 35s

    Meredith Vieira returns as the Great American Read hits high gear. You spent the summer reading and voting for your favorite novels, now tune in to see which books celebrities, authors, and other readers across the country are rooting for.

  • Launch Special: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Launch Special

    S1 E1 - 1h 51m

    The country’s 100 favorite novels are announced in a two-hour celebration of reading, hosted by Meredith Vieira. Celebrities, authors, and book lovers reveal the novels that have affected their lives. The national vote gets under way, to decide America’s Best-Loved Novel.

Extras + Features

  • Grand Finale | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Grand Finale | Preview

    S1 E8 - 30s

    The final episode will celebrate all 100 books and unveil the #1 best-loved book.

  • Outlander: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Outlander

    S1 E7 - 2m 56s

    Author, Diana Gabaldon discusses the Outlander series.

  • Americanah: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Americanah

    S1 E6 - 3m 8s

    Barbara Bush and others discuss why they love the novel, Americanah.

  • Little Women: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Little Women

    S1 E6 - 3m 28s

    Gayle King and others discuss Louisa May Alcott's novel, Little Women.

  • Anne of Green Gables: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Anne of Green Gables

    S1 E6 - 3m 42s

    Margaret Atwood and others discuss Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel, Anne of Green Gables.

  • Moby Dick: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Moby Dick

    S1 E5 - 4m 25s

    The classic novel, Moby Dick is discussed.

  • Beloved: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Beloved

    S1 E5 - 3m 50s

    Artist, Zeniba Britt, discusses why she is a fan of the Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved.

  • Catch-22: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Catch-22

    S1 E4 - 3m 17s

    Seth Meyers discusses why Catch-22 is his favorite book.

Schedule

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