BPL’s new Chief Librarian, Edwin Maxwell, wants everyone to know the library is about so much more than books. Along with great reads, you’ll find vinyl records, tools, cultural events, classes, and programs for all ages. It’s an open invitation to explore, learn, and connect in new ways. It’s your library—here for whatever you need, whenever you need it.
Books
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
“When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.” This, one of my favorite books of all time, is simple, poetic, and wise. It contains words to live by and a story about life itself. A must-read.
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Toni Morrison called it “required re-reading,” and she was right. Coates’ letter to his son is one of the most moving, honest explanations of what it means to be Black in America. To me and many others, Coates is this generation’s James Baldwin.
David and Goliath : Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
Malcolm Gladwell
What looks like a weakness can actually be your greatest strength. This book is for readers who want to flip their perspective and see the familiar differently.
Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Gabriel García Márquez
This one is for my wife, who loves Márquez. It’s short, sharp, and unforgettable with the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book.
Grit : The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Angela Duckworth
This one is for anyone who’s had to fight their way through tough situations. Perseverance can’t be taught, but it can be admired. Duckworth masterfully explains why it matters and how to get it.
For the Kid I Saw in My Dreams
Kei Sanbe
From the author of Erased, this series is dark, suspenseful, and full of twists. I wanted a manga that takes itself seriously. Something that shows just how deep and gripping the genre can be. Shout out to Jonathan, who helped me explore manga and find this gem.
The Complete Maus
Art Spiegelman
One of the most powerful stories I’ve ever read. Spiegelman tells his father’s Holocaust story through a comic, and somehow that makes the pain and resilience hit even harder. It proves stories can carry the weight of history, no matter the format.
Cashing Out : Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away
Julien Saunders
Everyone knows I had to include a personal finance book. What makes this one special is that it’s written by a couple, and it feels like you’re sitting at the kitchen table with them, talking money the way you’d talk with close friends. It’s honest, real, and practical.
Simple: I love stories, and I love The Moth. Real people, true moments, and the kind of storytelling that stays with you.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
This is a fundamental book! TFAS is the work that so many of my favorite authors in leadership and self-exploration point back to. And a shout out to Kerwin, our Director of Literacy and Adult Learning, who practically quotes this one daily.
Classes/Events
I love this program because it turns all of Brooklyn into a classroom. Teachers and professors share their knowledge out in the open, and it feels like learning belongs to everyone- the way it should be. That’s the spirit of Brooklyn.
I’m fascinated by this! Learning and cooking, two of my favorite things, all on wheels. It’s hands-on, it’s fun, and it brings people together in the best way.
Dancing at the library! And in Sheepshead Bay! Sounds like the time to me. Sign me up.
Culture Pass
MOCADA is Brooklyn through and through. It’s bold, rooted, and centered on Black art and culture. With the Culture Pass, you can step right into that experience, and while you’re there, make sure to visit our newest library for art and culture right next door.
It still amazes me that you can check out museum passes through the library. And MoMA is one of the crown jewels- a place where art, design, and ideas push every boundary.
Vinyl Collection
Afro-Cuban and Brazilian vibes pressed on vinyl feels like New York itself-alive, layered, and always moving.
The Tribe spinning on a record is required! This album is a cornerstone of hip-hop. Jazz, beats, and words woven together into something timeless.
Summer of Soul : ( --or, when the revolution could not be televised)
’60s music in Harlem, live. This soundtrack brings back a festival that history almost forgot, and listening feels like stepping right into that revolutionary moment.
Tool
Soldering IronYes! You can check out tools at the library. A soldering iron is perfect for fixing electronics, making things, or just trying a new skill. It’s even more proof that the library is about building and creating, not just borrowing.
Database
This tool turns raw data into stories- mapping neighborhoods, trends, and people in ways that make numbers come alive. Somehow it feels wrong that I get to use this for free.
Blog
The Center for Brooklyn History's Brooklynology blog shares eclectic, unexpected stories, photos and fun facts from our archives. Curious to learn about an astronomy observatory in Flatbush, Coney Island's origins, early-aughts DIY spaces in Williamsburg, and more wide-ranging local curiosities? Sign for CBH emails here to get new posts delivered straight to your inbox!
Podcast
Brooklyn Public Library's Borrowed and Returned podcast takes a deep, fascinating dive into the literature that has impacted American culture, like The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Octavia Butler's novels and Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.