05/21/2026
Join us on May 26th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT for a PBS Books Facebook Live event, or on the PBS Books YouTube channel, the PBS app, or pbs.org. RSVP today to watch it LIVE for free!
➡ Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EnhXvJgvv/
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About this Episode:
Pennsylvania’s story is steeped in history, from Pittsburgh through the Appalachians to Philadelphia and beyond.
Home to literary and cultural trailblazers like Benjamin Franklin (Poor Richard’s Almanack), Nellie Bly (Around the World in Seventy-Two Days), Bayard Rustin (Time on Two Crosses), August Wilson (Fences), and Fred Rogers (It’s You I Like), the Keystone State has long shaped the American experience through storytelling, journalism, activism, and the arts.
Today, writers including Jennifer Weiner (Good in Bed), Marjorie Maddox (Seeing Things),Eric Smith (With or Without You), and Dr. Raina J. León (Black God Mother This Body), continue that tradition with bold, contemporary voices.
Explore Pennsylvania’s rich literary landscape through its historic libraries, iconic bookstores, and remarkable museums on American Stories: A Reading Road Trip — an American250 digital experience from PBS Books and the Library of Congress.
(See Booklist Below)
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Series Description:
Pack your curiosity — PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on each U.S. state and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers—plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book—revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Timed with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States—all through the lens of books and storytelling. New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the
PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.