Community Reads

Our Community Reads speakers bring together diverse audiences who share similar passions and enthusiasms. Whether appearing at a campus-wide common read, connecting with a book club, or capping off a season of library programming, these literary legends are gifted orators whose stories lend themselves to lively discussion.

Nonfiction

Jim Abbott

Former Major League Pitcher, Olympic Gold Medalist and motivational speaker

Peggielene Bartels

American secretary turned African king

Lynne Cox

Modern-day adventurer, long-distance swimmer and bestselling author

Michael Greenberg

Bestselling Author and FYE Favorite

Madhur Jaffrey

Cookbook Author, Actress, and World Authority on Indian Cuisine

Carlotta Walls LaNier

Youngest of the Little Rock Nine, Civil Rights Advocate

Erik Larson

New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning The Devil in the White City

Christopher McDougall

Author, journalist and innovator of the Barefoot-Running Movement

Simon Sebag Montefiore

Noted historian and international bestselling author of Jerusalem and Young Stalin

Dr. Judith Orloff

An international speaker on intuition, health, and wellness.

Gary Paulsen

Prolific Three-Time Newbery Honor Winner, Hailed as "One of the Best Loved Writers Alive" by The New York Times

Darin Strauss

Bestselling novelist and author of the acclaimed memoir Half a Life, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography

Cheryl Strayed

"Dear Sugar" columnist, essayist and author of the acclaimed memoir, Wild

Abraham Verghese

Renowned Physician, Teacher and Author of Cutting for Stone

Isabel Wilkerson

Pulitzer Prize Winner and author of the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Warmth of Other Suns

Markus Zusak

New York Times Bestselling Author of The Book Thief, a Book Club Favorite and Beloved Novel Embraced by Readers of All Ages