Two new books that bring important histories to light.

Tim H. Murphy

Featured on the March 6, 2025 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

• Starting this Sunday two popular NPR weekend shows, “It’s Been a Minute” with host Brittany Luse and "Wild Card" with host Rachel Martin, will be merging together. Mark will speak with them about what their shows have to offer and how their subject matter compliments one another. You can hear it on NPR 89.1 FM on Sunday at 12 noon and 8 PM.

NPR

• How does one write a comedy about some of the most timely and sensitive subject matter on Earth? Meet Kirsten Miller, whose newest book “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books” examines the impact that some of the most powerful books in history can have on a small Southern town where many residents long for truth, while others would rather retain the long-standing status quo of bigotry and misogyny. Miller is visiting Tucson to take part in the annual The Brandeis Sheila Rothenberg Book & Author Event on March 13th.

courtesy of Kirsten Miller

courtesy of Kirsten Miller

courtesy of the Tucson Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee

• Did William Shakespeare have anything to do with one of the most pernicious foreign-species bird invasions in world history? Tucsonan Mike Stark’s new book is “Starlings The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird”, documenting how this European bird has not just fully occupied North America, but every continent except Antarctica. Stark will take part in the annual Tucson Festival of Books on Saturday, March 15th.

AZPM

courtesy of Mike Stark

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