Denbo Center's Public Books Circle

Join UT’s Denbo Center for Humanities & the Arts for its 2026-2027 Public Books Circle!

First meeting: October 18 at 2:30, discussing Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Circle meetings are held in person at the Denbo Center at Cherokee Mills, on Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville. The program is free to all adult readers.

This year’s Circle is led by the DCHA Public Books Scholar, Professor Natalie Graham (Head, Africana Studies at UT) and follows the DCHA theme, “Authenticity: Identity and Place.”

To explore the theme, Prof. Graham has curated a reading list she calls, “A Closer Look at a Curious Place: Exploring Authenticity, Place, and Identity through Florida’s Literature.” The readings will range from classics like Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, to the more recent, like Edgar Gomez’s memoir, Alligator Tears.

We encourage participants to buy the books from a great local bookstore, read the books in preparation for discussion, and bring books with them to the meetings. However, don't let the reading keep you from the conversation. This will be a casual conversation open to all.

Check out the full schedule here:

Oct 18. 2:30 Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (novel)

Nov 22, 2:30 Florida, by Lauren Groff (novel)

Jan 24, 2:30 Alligator Tears, by Edgar Gomez (memoir in essays)

Feb 21, 2:30 Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat (short stories)

Apr 18, 2:30 Florida Water by aja monet (poems)

Questions? Email us at humanitiesctr@utk.edu.