Books

More than a few years ago, I took a class as a graduate student at the University of Illinois called “Anthropology of Home.” It was one of those rare classes that sticks with you due …

As soon as the semester ends and students flock back to Chicagoland, it’s time to celebrate Friday Night Live events, Urbana and Champaign markets, PostMark, quiet evening walks on the quad and in the parks, …

Begun in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, April’s National Poetry Month is one of the largest literary celebrations in the country. Every town has its own take on NaPoMo (of course there’s a nickname …

University of Illinois’ Assistant Professor of African American Studies Dr. Bobby J. Smith II wrote a new book called Food Power Politics, and it’s getting national recognition. Food Power Politics has been nominated for the …

A member of Champaign-Urbana’s Glass Room Poets, Emily F. Kerlin won Minerva Rising Press’s 2023 “Dare to Be” chapbook contest with her collection of poems, Twenty-One Farewells. The twenty-one poems in this new collection were …

Every so often, University of Illinois Press publishes an update in their blog about what’s going on in their world at the moment. During the first quarter of the year (wait, we’re already nearing May, …

University of Illinois Assistant Professor of English Corey Van Landingham has a new book of poetry, Reader, I, released today on Sarabande Books. If you’re unfamiliar with her work, take a look at this article from a …

In his brand new book Food Power Politics, Dr. Bobby J. Smith II builds on the stories and legacies of Mississippi activists and researchers to tell more of the food injustice story. With a background …

Champaign-Urbana knows how to do National Poetry Month. With so many luminous writers and poets in town, it can be hard to keep up. But this month, I’ll be dropping bits and bobs about readings …