Book events
Layli Long Soldier and Jake Skeets, Pittsburgh Contemporary Writer Series poetry reading & conversation, 6 p.m. Jan. 26, Alumni Hall, 7th Floor Auditorium
Pittsburgh Contemporary Writer Series presents a joint poetry reading from two award winning poets, Layli Long Soldier and Jake Skeets. Layli Long Soldier received the 2018 PEN/Jean Stein Award, the 2018 National Book Critics Circle Award, a 2021 Academy of Arts and Letters Award for Literature, and the 2021 Michael Murphy Memorial Poetry Prize in the UK. She is the author of “WHEREAS” (Graywolf Press, 2017). Jake Skeets is the author of “Eyes Bottle Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers,” winner of the National Poetry Series, American Book Award, Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and Whiting Award.
“Resounding Poverty: Romani Music and Development Aid,” with Adriana Helbig, professor of music and associate dean of the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, 4 p.m. Jan. 29, 501 Cathedral of Learning
Helbig will discuss her book “ReSounding Poverty: Romani Music and Development Aid” (Oxford University Press, 2023). Drawing on ethnographic research in development contexts, “ReSounding Poverty” asks who speaks for whom within the Romani rights movement today. Framing the critique of development aid in musical terms, it engages with Romani marginalization and economic deprivation through a closer listening to vocal inflections, physical vocalizations of health and disease, and emotional affect.
Conversation with author Laura Gao, 4:30-6 p.m. Feb. 6, Hillman Library, 1st floor
This collaborative event, hosted by the University Library System and the Alliance of Queer and Underrepresented Asians in Recognition of Intersectionality to Uphold Solidarity (AQUARIUS), brings together a diverse community to engage in meaningful conversation and reflection.
4:30–5 p.m.: Join a student representative for a book club session, featuring a group reading followed by a discussion. Faculty members and a librarian will facilitate the conversation, offering insights and fostering dialogue around the themes of the book.
5–6 p.m.: Book Talk: A Conversation with Laura Gao, Engage in an intimate roundtable discussion with Laura Gao, moderated by faculty, students, and librarians. The conversation will explore crucial topics such as queer identity, Asian-American experiences, and the intersectionality of these themes in contemporary society.
SEND US YOUR INFORMATION
The University Times welcomes information about new books, journals, plays and musical compositions written or edited by faculty and staff.
Newly published works can be submitted through this link. Please keep the book descriptions short and accessible to a general audience.
Journals should be peer-reviewed. Self-published works will not be accepted. The listings also are restricted to complete works, because individual chapters, articles, works of art and poems would be too numerous.
We’ll also be highlighting some books and book talks with connections to Pitt.
If you have any questions, please contact editor Susan Jones at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.