Speakers on Common Read / FYE

Ayad Akhtar

tells many stories in many ways.

Andrew Aydin

knows we must understand our history to fight for our future.

Alison Bechdel

is one to watch out for.

Thi Bui

explores the borders - national, personal, and familiar.

Rebecca Carroll

is coming through loud and clear.

Maureen Corrigan

reads a lot, like, A LOT!

Jennine Capó Crucet

is blazing a trail.

Rebecca Donner

is an archival sleuth.

Ben Fountain

is a pretty good attorney but a great writer.

Roxane Gay

is feminist AF.

Dave Isay

is saving our stories for our great-grandchildren.

Mira Jacob

has the hard conversations.

Viet Thanh Nguyen

calls us to re-examine our own history.

Ann Patchett

is a champion of literary culture.

Jon Ronson

is brill!

Sarah Smarsh

knows which way the wind is blowing.

Andrew Solomon

writes important books about the most important things.

Luis Alberto Urrea

is a literary badass with a rock and roll heart.

Kevin Wilson

has tricks up his sleeve.

Kao Kalia Yang

is a writer without a country.