Essayist, poet, MacArthur Fellow Hanif Abdurraqib will give talk in Lawrence

LAWRENCE — Writer Hanif Abdurraqib will visit Lawrence as part of his current book tour for a talk at 7 p.m. April 16 at Liberty Hall. He will read from his latest book, “There’s Always This Year” (Random House, 2024).

Abdurraqib is from Columbus, Ohio, and has written on music, culture, identity, and as is the subject of his most recent book, basketball. In addition to “There’s Always This Year,” he has published three books of nonfiction – “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us” (2017), which was largely the subject of his first reading at Liberty Hall in 2018; “Go Ahead in the Rain” (2019) and “A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance” (2021). He has also published two books of poetry — “A Fortune for Your Disaster” (2019) and “The Crown Ain’t Worth Much” (2016).

Abdurraqib is a 2021 MacArthur Fellow. According to the MacArthur Foundation website, his writing style establishes a connection with readers, blending autobiography, social history and insights into specific technical and emotional aspects of music. “Abdurraqib is forging a new form of cultural criticism, one that is informed by lived experience and offers incisive social and artistic critiques,” the foundation wrote.

“Hanif Abdurraqib is a singular author of unparalleled curiosity, generosity and grace,” said Danny Caine, Raven Book Store part-owner and University of Kansas alumnus. “Even though each one is remarkable, he somehow gets better with every book. ‘There’s Always This Year’ is no exception.”

Caine noted there is an extended section about former KU basketball player Kenny Gregory in the book as well.

“On top of all that, nobody performs their own work like Hanif, so don’t miss this chance to see him on stage,” Caine said.

The event is supported by the Raven Bookstore, The Commons at KU and the Lawrence Public Library.

Tickets are free but required. 

The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale on site by the Raven Book Store.

Anyone needing special assistance may contact The Commons by email.