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Literature + Poetry

Black and white 1970s era portrait of Luis J. Rodriguez
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Courtesy UCSB Library
Luis J. Rodriguez is a pivotal artist and public figure whose life and work illuminate the modern history of Chicanismo

Luis J. Rodriguez Papers at UCSB Library document life and work of the renowned author and activist

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A book titled The Correspondence of Henry D. Thoreau: Volume 3: 1857–1862 is propped on a stone wall with a building marked Library blurred in the background.
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Courtesy UCSB Library
A copy of "Correspondence Volume 3" photographed in front of UCSB Library's Paseo West entrance.

UCSB’s Thoreau Edition publishes final volume of Henry David Thoreau’s correspondence
book cover inside abstracted image of book cover as blurry background

New collection examines the lasting effects of purity culture
posterized detail of Shakespeare's face
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New exhibition explores many lives of Shakespeare’s texts
color photographic portrait of writer julissa arce

Mexican-American Dreamer Julissa Arce wins Luis Leal literary award
Red covered book titled Crying in H Mart is perched on a brick wall outside a modern white building
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Courtesy UCSB Library
“Crying in H Mart” explores self-discovery, grief and Korean-American culture through the celebratory lens of food and family.

Michelle Zauner’s “Crying in H Mart” named UCSB Reads 2026 book
color portrait of poet robert krut with his new book

Poet Robert Krut on the oblivion between tectonic plates
Alexis Okeowo
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Courtesy UCSB Arts & Lectures
Alexis Okeowo

Writer Alexis Okeowo opens Arts & Lectures’ Justice for All series
close up of woman at beach
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Detail, book cover for "Unfaithful: A Translator's Memoir" by Suzanne Jill Levine, Bloomsbury, 2025

New memoir explores the art of translation and Latin American literature
water color painting of small boats arriving to shore
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Illustration by Ishtar Bäcklund Dakhil for Mona Damluji's “I Want You to Know."

A mother’s poem becomes a book about displacement, resilience
open book with Persian writing and drawing
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Courtesy
Persian poet Saadi Shirazi's 13th-century hand-colored volume.

Rare Iranian treasures, from Qajar era to 1979 Revolution gifted to UCSB Library
Sara Poot Herrera a woman smiling
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Jeff Liang
UCSB Distinguished Professor Sara Poot Herrera

How to build global community through Mexican literature
Closeup of 'The Book of Delights' with a library and people in the background
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Courtesy UC Santa Barbara Library

Author Ross Gay caps off UCSB Reads 2025 with appearance on campus
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