National Book Award Nominee Opens Marylhurst Reading Series


Shane McCrae will read from In the Language of My Captor on Nov. 9, 2017

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Each year, Marylhurst University brings an incredible group of diverse writers and thinkers to the Portland metropolitan area in the Marylhurst Reading Series. These acclaimed authors share their love of language and unique insights into contemporary culture. All readings are free.

In 2017-18, the Marylhurst Reading Series kicks off with Shane McCrae, who will read from his most book of poems, In the Language of My Captor, recently nominated for a 2017 National Book Award in Poetry. A brief description of each event follows; more details at events.marylhurst.edu

Thursday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
SHANE MCCRAE
Belluschi Pavilion, Marylhurst University
Poet Shane McCrae will read from his most recent book of poems, In the Language of My Captor, nominated for a 2017 National Book Award. McCrae is also the author of The Animal Too Big to Kill and Mule, among others. His poems have appeared in many anthologies and journals, including The Best American Poetry series, The New York Times Magazine, and Poetry. He has received a Whiting Writers’ Award, a fellowship from the NEA, and a Pushcart Prize. McCrae teaches at Columbia University.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 3:30 p.m.
BRANDON SHIMODA and STACEY TRAN
The Old Library, BP John Admin, Marylhurst University
Brandon Shimoda and Stacey Tran will read from their recent books of poems. Brandon Shimoda’s most recent books are Evening Oracle, which received the 2016 William Carlos Williams Award, and Portuguese. He is also the co-editor of books by poet/painters Etel Adnan and Wong May. He is currently researching/writing a book about the “ruins” of Japanese American incarceration. Stacey Tran is a writer from Portland, Oregon. She curates Tender Table and her writing can be found in diaCRITICS, The Fanzine, Gramma, and The Volta. Wendy’s Subway released her first chapbook, Fake Haiku.

Thursday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m.
CHUCK CARUSO
The Old Library, BP John Admin, Marylhurst University
Chuck Caruso reads from his first published novel, The Lawn Job. A 19th century Americanist and Poe scholar, Chuck Caruso teaches in the Department of Literature & Art at Marylhurst University. As an author of dark genre fiction, Caruso’s horror tales have been published in Cemetery Dance, Shroud and Dark Discoveries, among other print magazines & anthologies. His western noir tales have been published by The Big Adios, Shotgun Honey, Flash Fiction Offensive and Fires on the Plain. Caruso lives in Vancouver, Washington.

Friday, May 18, at 3:30 p.m.
MARTHA GROVER
The Old Library, BP John Admin, Marylhurst University
Martha Grover reads from her most recent memoir, The End of My Career. Martha Grover is an author, poet, artist and writing coach living in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of One More for the People and The End of My Career. The End of My Career was a finalist for the Oregon Book Awards in creative nonfiction in 2017. Her work has also appeared in numerous journals. She has been publishing her zine, Somnambulist, since 2003.

The Marylhurst Reading Series is an annual series that brings a diverse group of acclaimed writers and thinkers to Marylhurst University. The writers share their love of language and unique insights into contemporary culture. The series is sponsored by Marylhurst’s English Literature and Writing program and supported by the Thomas Binford Endowment Fund for Writing. All readings are free and open to the public.


Founded in 1893, Marylhurst University is a premier, not-for-profit, professionally focused liberal arts and business university. Our community of scholars, professionals and artists offers exceptional master’s degrees, bachelor’s degree completion programs, courses, continuing education and impressive arts, music and cultural events.