The PRH Speakers Bureau is proud to represent speakers who keep us connected and make powerful progress toward change. As we continue to have conversations about challenging the status quo, actively fighting for justice in BIPOC communities, and grappling with COVID-19, we’ve compiled these recent articles, media, and essays from our speakers about the changing personal, political, and cultural landscapes.
We are also happy to include a roundup for you here of virtual events that are open to the public from our speakers for the upcoming week.
Virtual Events with Our Speakers
Tune in to these virtual Penguin Random House speakers’ book events, author Q&A’s and more that are happening this week.
Monday, August 31
- Carl Hiaasen will be presenting his latest book, SQUEEZE ME, with James Patterson at Vero Beach Book Center (7:00PM EST)
Tuesday, September 1
- Kiley Reid will be speaking with Kevin Kwan at the Tucson Festival of Books (6:00PM EST)
- Yaa Gyasi will be chatting with Roxane Gay, hosted by PEN Out Loud (8:00PM EST)
- Carl Hiaasen will be in conversation at Poisoned Pen about his latest novel, SQUEEZE ME (9:00PM EST)
Wednesday, September 2
- Yaa Gyasi speaks at Porter Square Books about her latest novel (6:00PM EST)
- David Allen Sibley joins Cleveland Museum of Natural History for a special lecture (7:00PM EST)
Thursday, September 3
- Kiley Reid speaks at Magic City Books about her debut novel (7:00PM EST)
- David Allen Sibley joins Town Hall, Seattle with insights from his new book (10:30PM EST)
Check out #BooksConnectUsLive for more live virtual events.
News and Media from PRHSB Speakers
Black Lives Matter Movement
Below are some recent dialogues from our speakers on systemic racism and the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Radhika Jones & Ta-Nehisi Coates – Activism & Art in Vanity Fair | The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: Ta-Nehisi Coates and Radhika Jones discuss activism, Black art, and the new September issue of Vanity Fair featuring Breonna Taylor on the cover.
- Isabel Wilkerson wants to change how we understand race in America | Vox: Isabel Wilkerson talks about living in the shadow of America’s caste system.
- 12 Authors Share Their Favorite Black-Owned Bookstores | Oprah Magazine: Jacqueline Woodson and Kiley Reid share their go-to bookstores
- Black Women Are Topping Bestseller Lists. What Took So Long? | Elle: Elle Magazine examines why writers like Brit Bennett and Yaa Gyasi has been denied their deserved recognition.
- Rachel Cargle Chats With Nikki Giovanni And Rapsody | Essence: Rachel Cargle speaks Nikki Givanni and Rapsody about the protests in America, what freedom looks like today, and the power of Black women’s voices.
Books Connect Us
With their imaginative, impactful pieces of literature, our speakers provide incredibly valuable perspectives to be read by all.
- Watch Brit Bennett discuss her bestselling novel, The Vanishing Half | Los Angeles Times: Brit Bennett discusses THE VANISHING HALF with writer Carla Hall.
- Elizabeth Debicki to Star in World War II-Set Limited Series For Vendôme, Anonymous Content | Yahoo Entertainment: Ariel Lawhon’s CODE NAME HÉLÈNE is being adapted into a limited series.
- A Python Ate the President’s Neighbor? Only in Carl Hiaasen’s Florida | The New York Times: Carl Hiaasen’s latest novel, SQUEEZE ME, pairs an author who knows every grift, con, and critter in the Sunshine State with some of its finest specimens.
- Yaa Gyasi harnesses her literary power — and wonders why the world wasn’t always listening this hard | Entertainment Weekly: Yaa Gyasi is set to unveil her sophomore novel, TRANSCENDENT KINGDOM, in a world that needs her work more than ever.
- 100 Favorite Books For Young Readers | NPR: Jacqueline Woodson’s EACH KINDNESS and Matt de la Peña’s LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET are among NPR’s 100 Best Children Books.
COVID-19
These articles from our speakers highlight practical advice and news about the current pandemic.
- What if the First Coronavirus Vaccines Aren’t the Best? | The New York Times: Carl Zimmer reports on the dozens of research groups around the world are playing the long game, convinced that their experimental vaccines will be cheaper and more powerful than the ones leading the race today.
- Fired as a hotel housekeeper when she got COVID-19, she now has no income or healthcare | Los Angeles Times: Steve Lopez talks about how for hospitality workers, who are coping with reduced hours and constant worry about exposure, the pandemic is much more than a medical crisis.
- F.D.A. ‘Grossly Misrepresented’ Blood Plasma Data, Scientists Say | The New York Times: Dr. Sheri Fink reveals that many experts were bewildered about where a key statistic came from during the annoucement of the emergency approval of blood plasma.
- Making the best of working at home: Podcast offers tips for success | Business Journals: Laura Vanderkam offers strategies for making the best of this work-from-home period.
Politics
Our speakers provide clarity and shrewd analysis of today’s issues to help make sense of our current and future political landscape.
- Have American institutions held under Trump? | Yahoo News: Anand Giridharadas and Kurt Andersen join Morning Joe to take stock of American institutions more than three years into Trump’s presidency.
- Dr. Mona pushes for continuation of Flint Registry, connecting community to resources | ABC News: Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha urges U.S. Senate to continue providing funding for the Flint Registry, which will expire in July 2021.
- The Lawbreakers Trump Loves | The New York Times: Daniel Ziblatt comments on Trump’s campaign.
- Robert Reich on the Post Office crisis to come | Salon: Robert B. Reich warns that Congress must step in to protect the Postal Service and the integrity of mail-in voting before it’s too late.
- In Trump’s Gilded Beltway, Rudy Giuliani Finds a Potent Reward: Relevance | The New York Times: Mark Leibovich talks about Rudy Giuliani, his career, and his role in the Trump White House.