The Great American Read
Whether it’s rediscovering an old favorite or engaging with a new title, ideastream encourages YOU to read some, many, or all of the 100 best-loved American novels (as chosen in a national survey) as PBS celebrates the joy of reading and the books we love!
- Take a quiz to find out how many of the 100 books you have already read
- Share the GREAT AMERICAN READ book list with fellow bibliophiles, book worms, book clubs, or students. Why not pick a few titles to read and discuss during June, July, August, and September?
- Plan viewing parties with your book club or reading friends and family to enjoy the reading frenzy!
- Use #GreatReadPBS to post pictures of you with your favorite book—on vacation, in your favorite reading spot—the choice is yours!
Series Schedule
Tuesday, September 11 | 8 p.m. “Fall Kick Off”—Join host Meredith Vieira in the search for America’s best-loved novel. The voting is underway, and the competition is heating up!
Tuesday, September 18 | 8 p.m. “Who Am I?”—Explore the ways that America’s best-loved novels answer the age-old question. From life lessons to spiritual journeys, these books help us understand our own identities and find our place in the world.
Tuesday, September 25 | 8 p.m. “Heroes”—Follow the trials and tribulations of some of literature’s favorite heroes. Examine how the everyday hero and the anti-hero find their inner strength, overcome challenges and rise to the occasion.
Tuesday, October 2 | 8 p.m. “Villains and Monsters”—Learn why literature’s most notorious villains began behaving badly. Many weren’t born evil, but became that way when faced with some of the same choices we make every day. See what these villains can teach us about our own dark impulses.
Tuesday, October 9 | 8 p.m. “What We Do For Love”—Fall in love with some of literature’s most beautiful romances and explore the many forms of love, from family to passion to the unrequited type.
Tuesday, October 16 | 8 p.m. “Other Worlds”—Take a magical journey to another world through some of America’s best-loved novels. From Middle Earth to Lilliput, the trials and tribulations of these alternate universes help us to better understand our own world.
Tuesday, October 23 | 8 p.m. “Grand Finale”—American’s best loved novel is revealed!
Young readers can join in the fun, too! PBS KIDS has created a list of books to share with children. Download a copy of the list.
PBS KIDS know there are many more great books for children, and they would love to share more book recommendations during the summer. You can let them know about your favorites through social media @pbskids #PBSKIDSRead
Vote For Your Favorites!
Vote now for your favorite books by clicking on the covers of the books shown below!
