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Common Read 2021: The Fire This Time

A guide to provide context and support for Mt. Holyoke's 2021 Common Read

About The Fire This Time

Front cover of the book The Fire This TimeThe Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race edited by Jesmyn Ward is a New York Times bestselling anthology of essays and poems on race in America. It consists of three parts--Part I: Legacy, Part II: Reckoning, Part III: Jubilee--along with an introductory essay by Jesmyn Ward. The book's title alludes to James Baldwin's 1963 book The Fire Next Time.

In the fall, there will be 20 print copies of the book on course reserves at LITS. You can also read the ebook (limit of 3 simultaneous users; MHC login required). 

Jesmyn Ward on The Fire This Time

Jesmyn Ward and contributors to The Fire This Time particpate in a panel discussion on race in America

Video of Jesmyn Ward moderating a panel discussion (Garnette Cadogan, Honorée Jeffers, Kima Jones, Kiese Laymon, and Leila Salisbury) of The Fire This Time during the 2016 Mississippi Book Festival broadcasted on BookTV on C-SPAN2.

Jesmyn Ward talks with Audie Cornish during an August 2, 2016 episode of the Code Switch podcast on NPR