Books
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The year in Wisconsin books 2024
Wisconsin writers can’t seem to help themselves. They love setting their novels here and exploring the state’s rich history. Read more
Picture this
“I love taking up new challenges,” says Kercheval, 68. In her 50s she learned Spanish. Then she took up visual art at 64. Read more
Nov 12, 2024
Madison author Heather Swan’s 'Where the Grass Still Sings' embraces both art and science
This hybrid of personal essay and environmental reportage also includes reporting on the arts. Read more
Oct 16, 2024
Noticing Mary Jo Hoffman
Mary Jo Hoffman’s 'STILL: The Art of Noticing' is what used to be called a coffee-table book, interspersed with illuminating essays that put the author/photographer in the spotlight. Read more
Oct 14, 2024
Calarco: Kelly Kendall Studios / Chowdhary: Caitlin M. Carlson / Vo: C.J. Foeckler / Smith: Anna Min
They put the Wisco in the Wisconsin Book Festival
Memoirs, essays, poems, micro-histories and more shine the spotlight on the Badger State and those who write about it. Read more
Oct 5, 2024
They messed with the wrong librarian
In her recent book, Amanda Jones shares her journey as a librarian fighting against book banning. Read more
Sep 16, 2024
Shanna Wolf
Leah Elson, Nicola Yoon among headliners for 2024 Wisconsin Book Festival
‘The thing I’m most proud of is how the festival is continuing its reputation of being representative and accessible for all ages — and it’s free and open to the public,’ Wisconsin Book Festival Director Jane Rotonda tells Isthmus. Read more
Sep 6, 2024
Happy days are here again
In Moments of Happiness, Leckrone recounts his childhood in Indiana — including meeting legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong — plus his early professional years. Read more
Sep 6, 2024
8:00 AM
Madison writer Cary Segall tells other people’s stories in his Appalachian Trail memoir
'A Talk in the Woods' is primarily about other people, though there is plenty of info about the nuts and bolts of author Segall’s hike, too. Read more
Sep 4, 2024
7:00 PM
A closer look
Madison poet Catherine Jagoe says Praying to the God of Small Things grew out of two things: “tremendous climate anxiety” and the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Jul 5, 2024
8:00 AM
Ask the experts
We asked the authors of a spate of new Wisconsin guidebooks for their favorite spots to visit. Read more
Jun 8, 2024
8:00 AM
Hart Lang
Writing to grieve
Madison poet Alison Thumel writes about grieving in her new volume, Architect, winner of the 2024 Miller Williams Poetry Prize and just out from University of Arkansas Press. Read more
Apr 12, 2024
8:00 AM
Ecco (cover) /Jim Carrier (author)
Former Madisonian Trish O’Kane argues for the importance of neighbors and natural spaces
O’Kane, now a lecturer in environmental justice at the University of Vermont, will read from and discuss the book in a Wisconsin Book Festival event at the Central Library on March 12. Read more
Mar 1, 2024
1:30 PM
