By Laura Anne Bird | Photography by Hillary Schave | Shot on location at the Wisconsin Historical Society Library Reading Room
Madison is known for many things — hiking trails, farmers’ markets and sporting events, to name a few — but it’s also a book-lover’s paradise. Numerous celebrated writers call Madison home, and avid readers have their pick of incredible public libraries and other literary organizations.
“Setting aside our stellar independent bookstores and the folks who run them, our little city is full of lakes and trees and sunlight and woods and winding paths. Step into those woods or follow that path, and you’ll find someone reading in a hammock,” says Susanna Daniel, author of “Stiltsville” and “Sea Creatures.” “It’s a great city for book lovers for the same reason it’s a great city: there’s a balance between space and stimulation here, geographically and creatively.”
Erin Celello, who wrote “Miracle Beach” and “Learning to Stay,” agrees. “Madison is a perfect place to live if you’re in search of a good story.”
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Raised in Boston, Quan Barry moved to Madison in 1999 to join the UW-Madison faculty as the Lorraine Hansberry Professor of English. Since then, she’s taken full advantage of the city’s bustling theater, opera, symphony, dance, museum and food scenes.
Middle Grade Magic
BRAVA contributor Laura Anne Bird has written professionally her entire career, but her longtime dream has been to write a children’s novel.
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After 12 years in Madison, Chloe Benjamin knows how to seek comfort when the weather is bleak.
These Madison Literary Organizations Celebrate Reading
These organizations and people promote a love of reading, and they’re based right in our backyard.
Ann Garvin On Traveling — And Returning Home — As Creative Inspiration
Where in the world hasn’t Ann Garvin been? In the last year, she has spent chunks of time in California and France, among other enviable spots.
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