Everything has a Story, WBF (Nov 7-11)

Feeling a bit lost and looking to find a great read to bring you home?  If so, discover what you have been missing by seeking out the annual Wisconsin Book Festival.

The theme for the book festival this year is that of "lost and found" and how writers and their readers might interpret what are often deeply personal instances of either condition. 

Featured authors include: Ayad Akhtar, Jerry Apps, Dean Bakopoulos, Kambri Crews, Edwidge Danticat, Beverly Gordon, Patricia McCormick, Michael Perry, and Richard Russo among many others.

• See the full list of presenters
• View the festival events guide
• Download a Program and Schedule

Do also plan to visit College Library's Open Book Cafe on Saturday (November 10) for an exhibit of printed matter including posters, stickers, zines, journals and books.  This "Dane County Print Explosion" is sponsored by the Wisconsin Book Festival, the Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative and College Library.  For more information, click here.

Lab Lit

What do you get when you infuse creative writing with lab culture of the micro-and-macroscopic kind? If you are suitably curious, then browse Lab Lit—intended for scientists and non-scientists alike—that, through fiction and non-fiction, looks to shed light on the world of science, scientists and their creative spaces—be that the research lab, library, office or anywhere that inspiration happens.

Lab Lit is edited by Dr. Jennifer Rohn, cell biologist with University College, London. She is also a part-time novelist and science communicator. The site welcomes material from interested readers and writers (see the guidelines for contributors). Be amazed and amused!

Wisconsin Book Festival (Oct 19-23)

Save the date! Do you look for opportunities to feed the mind and to stir the soul? If so, consider sampling the bountiful harvest of author presentations and book discussion forums that comprise the annual, fall Wisconsin Book Festival.

The theme for the book festival this year is that of "voices" and how writers and their readers might share a discourse--both literal and literary.

Featured authors include: Diana Abu-Jaber, Dean Bakopoulos, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Jeffrey Eugenides, Myla Goldberg, and Parker Palmer, among many others.

• See the full list of presenters.

• View the festival events guide.

The Friends of UW-Madison Libraries is among the festival sponsors.

A Poem in Your Pocket (April 29)

A well-crafted poem, with its message and rhythm, has the power to inspire, provoke or comfort. As April is National Poetry Month, it seems only fitting to suggest some means by which you may add some poetry to your days (this month and in the future), including a Poem in Your Pocket.

Poem in Your Pocket Day is April 29 and it is easy to participate. Select a favorite poem, make a copy, and carry it with you. With a poem in your pocket, you are never far away from an opportunity to read, recite or share. Look for some pocket-able poetry throughout the library today, or download some from the website.

Other sources for poetry follow below; enjoy some today.

• Poem-a-Day (sign-up for email delivery)

• Poems for Every Occasion

• Gaus Collection (Visit this special collection at College Library)

Do you have some favorite poems or poets to suggest? Let us know with a reply to this post!

(As a child, I adored A.A. Milne and Shel Silverstein—still do, in fact. Among my contemporary favorites are Sherman Alexie, Sandra Cisneros, and the late Pablo Neruda).

Wisconsin Book Festival (Oct 7-11)

Need an opportunity to feed the mind and stir the soul? If so, consider taking a break to sample the bountiful harvest of author presentations and book discussion forums that comprise the annual, fall Wisconsin Book Festival.

The theme for the book festival this year is that of “courage” and what that may connote for writers and their readers—as they step outside their comfort zone to examine a world of ideas, learning to honor and to appreciate the other—be it a place, an experience, or a point-of-view.

Featured speakers include: Lynda Barry, Wendell Berry, Jane Hamilton, Gregory Maguire, Lorrie Moore, Agate Nesaule, Harvey Pekar, Michael Perry, among many others.

See the full list of presenters.

View the schedule of events.

UW-Madison Libraries and the Friends of UW-Madison Libraries are among the festival sponsors.

Poetry Open Mic (March 10)

College Library will host an evening of Illumination’s talent with an open mic reading in the Open Book Café (Room 1250) beginning at 7:00 PM. Participants are invited to bring a poem or short prose selection to share—be it from their original work or from the collections of a favorite writer. Coffee and hot chocolate will be served.

Illumination: the Undergraduate Journal of Humanities provides a terrific publishing venue for students to showcase their talents in art/design and creative writing.

Wisconsin Book Festival (October 15-19)

Need an opportunity to feed the mind and stir the soul? If so, consider taking a break to cozy up to the bountiful harvest of author presentations and book discussion forums that comprise the Wisconsin Book Festival.

(Apologies for my lavish use of feeding/harvest metaphor but is there any better illustration for that which the season implies and good literature can inspire?!)

The theme for the book festival this year is that of “changing places” and what that may connote for writers and their readers—how we may step into another’s shoes and learn to honor and to appreciate the other—be it a place, an experience or a point-of-view.

Featured speakers include: Lynda Barry, Judy Blume, Moustafa Bayoumi, Mia Kirshner, David Maraniss, Michael Perry, Jeremy Scahill, Christina Schwarz, Patricia Smith, among many others.

New this year will be an opportunity to participate in conversation circles—public forums for exploring themes of change and community.

See the list of presenters.

View the five day schedule of events.

UW-Madison Libraries and the Friends of UW-Madison Libraries are among the festival sponsors.

National Poetry Month

A well-crafted poem, with its message and rhythm, has the power to inspire, provoke or comfort. As April is National Poetry Month, it seems only fitting to suggest some means by which you may add some poetry to your days.

Get a Poem-a-Day (for each day in April). Submit your email address at the Poets.org website for said feature.

Consult the Undergraduate Research Guide to Poetry to find resources about poetry and poets.

Visit the Gaus Collection at College Library and make a selection or two from the stacks.

To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.

--William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

Have some favorite poems or poets? Let us know with a reply to this post!

(Two of my favorites are Sherman Alexie and Sandra Cisneros).