Punk poet laureate Patti Smith and Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of a book about cancer called “The Emperor of All Maladies,” are two of the 10 authors who will speak during the 2016-2017 season presented by Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures.
Now called Ten Evenings, the series presents authors on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in Oakland’s Carnegie Music Hall.
“The diverse range of authors speaking to us this year boast prestigious awards among them — Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, a coveted Peabody Award, and many list toppers for Best Books of 2015 from various publications. Most importantly, they all have powerful stories to tell,” said Stephanie Flom, executive director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures.
Dr. Mukherjee, a physician and scientist, opens the series on Sept. 26. His newest book, due out in May, is “The Gene: An Intimate History.”
Ms. Smith, who appears Oct. 10, is the author of “M Train” and “Just Kids.” Her memories of cafes, books, dreams and travels make up “M Train.” “Just Kids” received the National Book Award.
Colson Whitehead’s novel “The Underground Railroad” unfolds the adventures of Cora, a female slave attempting to escape a cotton plantation. The book is due out in September and the author speaks on Oct. 24. His earlier work, “The Noble Hustle: Poker, Beef Jerky & Death: A True Account of the 2011 World Series of Poker,” was published in 2014.
National Public Radio host Diane Rehm speaks on Nov. 14. Her book “Finding My Voice” recounts how she struggled to heal after losing her husband of 54 years.
Historian and presidential biographer Douglas Brinkley appears on Nov. 21 to discuss “Rightful Heritage: FDR and the Land of America.”
Elizabeth Strout, whose novel, “Olive Kitteridge,” inspired an HBO miniseries starring Frances McDormand, returns to talk about her latest novel, “My Name is Lucy Barton,” which focuses on a mother-daughter relationship. Ms. Strout speaks on Dec. 5.
Helen Macdonald, a naturalist and research scholar from the University of Cambridge in England, opens the second half of the series on Jan. 30, 2017. Her latest book, “H is for Hawk,” recounts the year she spent training a goshawk after her father died.
Lauren Groff is author of “Fates and Furies,” a novel about the marriage of Lancelot and Mathilde. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award. Ms. Groff appears on Feb. 20, 2017.
Roxane Gay, a novelist, essayist and critic, tackles race, gender and culture with incisive wit in her new book, “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body,” due out this summer.
Timothy Egan, a former New York Times correspondent, wrote “The Worst Hard Time,” which won the National Book Award. His newest book is “The Immortal Irishman,” a narrative about Thomas Francis Meagher, a Union general during the Civil War.
Tickets for the 2016-17 season are available in packages of three, six or all 10. Tickets for individual lectures can be purchased starting at 10 a.m. June 1. Student tickets are always available for $10 with identification. A group discount is available for book clubs. Information: pittsburghlectures.org/ or 412-622-8866.
Marylynne Pitz: 412-263-1648 or mpitz@post-gazette.com or Twitter: @mpitzpg
First Published: April 5, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
