This week’s guest of the Zell Visiting Writers Series is C. Dale Young. Mr. Young is not only the author of numerous books and the recipient of numerous literary prizes and fellowships, but also a fully licensed physician.
I invite you to his web site to view a sample of his poetry, or here to read a sample of his prose.
Much of his work revolves around love and nature, and each poem of his that I have read is simple, yet pleasant and enriching.
Thursday, October 13th
5:30 PM in Helmut Stern Auditorium (basement of UMMA)
In order to celebrate his newest publication, The Buried Giant, bestselling novelist Kazuo Ishiguro is bringing the party to Ann Arbor!!! Ishiguro was born in Nagasaki, Japan, but moved to England at a very early age. His cross-cultured background often plays a huge role in his most popular books, including “The Remains of the Day” and “Never Let Me Go,” both which have been turned into highly acclaimed films.
The talk, part of the Zell Visiting Writers Series, will be focused mostly on the release of the new novel, which relays the mystical journey of Axl and Beatrice across a declining Saxon England in search of their missing son. But if you haven’t read it yet (I haven’t either), don’t let that stop you from going!!! I’m in a class right now (Modern British Travel Narratives) and we are currently reading “The Remains of the Day,” a book that has touched me with its language so tenderly. Somehow, Ishiguro makes his reader feel so much for a stolid butler who hardly shows his emotions at all. Kazuo Ishiguro is a master of words and no doubt, an inspiration to all practicing writers.
*This event is free, but because of the expected crowd, tickets must be shown at the door. Tickets are available at the Michigan Union Ticket Office (or 734-763-TKTS).
What: Kazuo Ishiguro Reading
Where: University of Michigan Museum of Art; within the Forum Entrance (the modern entrance by the sculpture)
When: Thursday, March 26 at 6-7. (Book signing will take place earlier from 5-6).
How Much?: Free! But don’t forget to present your ticket!!!
Calling all book lovers, readers, publishers, bagel eaters, robots, Midwesterners4Life…whoever you are, you have a VOICE! And we want to hear it!
One year later after its debut, the Voices of the Middle West Literary Festival is a new annual event, created in partnership by local literary mag Midwestern Gothic and UM’s Residential College. From the Midwestern Gothic website, Voices of the Middle West is “a festival celebrating writers from all walks of life as well as independent presses and journals that consider the Midwestern United States their home.”
The event, set up in the East Quad Main Concourse, will be all day starting at 10 am-6pm, available for you to wend your way through tables of books to buy (including ones from Literati Bookstore), freshly-printed campus publications to peruse, publishers and editors and visionary students to chat about the future of the industry in an electronic world, and some very famous authors to brush shoulders with!
Throughout the day will be many panels featuring authors such as Matt Bell, Alissa Nutting, and Anne Valente, on different topics about the Midwest. There’s a chance to hear (or perform) poems and prose at the Open Mic, a great way to support your fellow writers on campus. And don’t miss the very special keynote speaker, Stuart Dybek, who will discuss his own take on publishing, writing, being successful, and of course, living in the Midwest.
I believe everyday should be a day to celebrate books! But Midwestern Gothic and the Residential College have put their heads together to make Voices of the Middle West a celebration that immerses you in Midwestern pride and literary splendor. Indeed- Voices is a unique “book holiday” that is too good to pass up. (Party hats optional. Love of books required)
What: Voices of the Middle West
Where: East Quad, University of Michigan Central Campus
When: Saturday, March 21 from 10-6
How Much?: FREE!!! … unless you choose to buy a book! Which I mean, how could you not??? 🙂
He breathed life into such beloved classic characters as Tock the Dog, the Humbug, King Azaz, the Mathmagician, the Princesses Rhyme and Reason, and of course, Milo. He is Norton Juster, the author of The Phantom Tollbooth, a book that celebrates the paradox of youthfully growing up, plays with the English language, and perfectly times intellectual puns. Although the book is consistently labeled as “children’s literature,” critics often acknowledge that the wordplay and extended metaphor of achieving wisdom would totally go over children’s heads. Nevertheless, the plot, the characters, and the essence of the book is translatable across all ages. It’s a story that a family can read together and all gain something from the experience. I first read it last year as a sophomore in college, and it instantly bumped up to one of the most influential books I’ve ever read. And I am beyond excited to announce that Norton Juster has been invited to speak about Children’s Literature and his process of writing The Phantom Tollbooth, as part of the Zell Visiting Writer Series.
The talk will begin with a documentary called “The Phantom Tollbooth: Beyond Expectations” and will be followed with an invigorating Q&A with Juster himself. Come for the inspiration, the whimsy, and the great word puns.
What: Norton Juster Lamstein Lecture in Children’s Literature
Where: University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), Helmut Stern Auditorium
Welcome to the magical world of Kelly Link. Fantastically full of fantasy, light horror, and magical realism, Link writes short stories about haunted convenience stores, apocalyptic poker parties, zombies, marriage, superheroes, and witches in a way that is supremely unique, wacky, and wonderful. She has an original voice that you can hear LIVE this Friday at the Literati Bookstore!
What: Kelly Link Reading
Where: Literati Bookstore
When: Friday, February 20 at 7 pm
How Much?: Free!
P.S. If you have never read her stories I highly recommend them, and you can read one of the stories from her new collection, “Get in Trouble,” right over here!
Every year, a book is selected for the “Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads” program as a chance to promote literacy and civic dialogue in the community. This year, the council has chosen Ruth Ozeki’s emotionally touching novel, “A Tale for the Time Being.” The story intertwines the lives of Nao, a suicidal Japanese teenager, and a novelist in Canada who finds Nao’s diary washed up on shore.
This Wednesday, the novelist, filmmaker and Zen Buddhist priest herself will be speaking at Rackham Auditorium! Even if you haven’t read the novel, please still attend if you have any interest in Japanese culture or writing in general! As a writer myself, I find it always very comforting to hear successful authors tell me about their bumps in their road along the way.
What: Ruth Ozeki Reading and Book Signing
When: Wednesday, Feb 11 at 7-9 pm
Where: Rackham Auditorium
How Much?: Free!
Come celebrate the 2015 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Read and be a part of your literary community!
