The Arizona Center for the Book, an affiliate of the National Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is excited to announce the launch of its new initiative, “Southwest Book Chats” a series of recorded discussions featuring authors, librarians, and avid readers. This innovative program aims to foster a love of reading and community engagement through insightful dialogues about a wide range of literature. 

The series is available for streaming on the State of Arizona Research Library YouTube channel. Each episode features selected titles from Pima County Public Library’s Southwest Books of the Year publication.

Promotional graphic for "Southwest Book Chats" featuring the book "Brave the Wild River" by Melissa L. Sevigny, sponsored by Arizona Center for the Book and partners.

Brave the Wild River

The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa Sevigny

Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa Sevigny with conversationalists, Wynne Brown and Melissa Sevigny

Book cover of "Bringing Home the Wild" by Juliet C. Stromberg overlaid on a pond background, with event details for Southwest Book Chats by Arizona Center for the Book.

Bringing Home the Wild

A Riparian Garden in a Southwest City by Juliet C. Stromberg

Bringing Home the Wild: A Riparian Garden in a Southwest City by Juliet C. Stromberg with Erin Lorandos and Angela Judd 

Promotional graphic for "Southwest Book Chats" featuring the book "Eating Up Route 66: Foodways on America’s Mother Road" by T. Lindsay Baker, presented by the Arizona Center for the Book.

Eating Up Route 66

Foodways on America’s Mother Road by T. Lindsey Baker

Eating Up Route 66: Foodways on America’s Mother Road by T. Lindsey Baker with Leo Banks and Gregory McNamee 

Event poster for "Southwest Book Chats" featuring the book "The Missing Morningstar and Other Stories" by Stacie Shannon Denetsosie, presented by Arizona Center for the Book.

The Missing Morningstar

by Stacie Shannon Denetsosie

The Missing Morningstar by Stacie Shannon Denetsosie with Yitazba Largo-Anderson and Lindsey Curley

Event graphic for "Southwest Book Chats" featuring the book "Remembering" by Xelena Gonzalez, with logos from the Arizona Center for the Book and other sponsors on a marigold flower background.

Remembering

by Xelena Gonzalez

Remembering by Xelena Gonzalez with Keertana Konkimalla and Tae Cooper – moderated by John Muñoz

Promotional graphic for "Southwest Book Chats" featuring the poetry book "Tripas" by Brandon Som, event sponsors, and a cityscape background.

Tripas

by Brandon Som

Tripas by Brandon Som with Mari Herreras and Yahm Levin

This program is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.