Arizona Center for the Book

About the Arizona Center for the Book

Arizona Center for the Book Logo

The Arizona Center for the Book at the Arizona State Library sponsors programs that highlight the state's literary heritage and call attention to the importance of books, reading, literacy and libraries.

The Arizona Center for the Book is an affiliate of the National Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Starting in 1984, the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress began to establish affiliate centers in the 50 states. Today, there is a State Center for the Book in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Arizona Center for the Book at the Arizona State Library received its designation on January 2, 2004.

Arizona Center for the Book Programs

Arizona Center for the Book Logo

Please click on any of the following links to find more information regarding the Arizona Center for the Book programs:

Arizona Author Series

The Arizona Author Series takes place January-May. Keep up with all of StARL’s events by visiting our events calendar.

These presentations are recorded and made available on our YouTube channel.

For more information about the Arizona Author Series contact the State of Arizona Research Library.

Great Reads from Great Places and the National Book Festival

2025 Great Reads from Great Places

The Arizona Center for the Book, part of the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, has selected Arizona Friend Trips: Stories from the Road by Lisa Schnebly Heidinger and Julie Morrison, and The Beat I Drum (Life of a Cactus, 3) by Dusti Bowling, to represent Arizona in the Library of Congress Center for the Book’s 2025 Great Reads from Great Places program.

The national Great Reads from Great Places program highlights the literary heritage of all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas by publicizing a list of titles written by authors from, taking place in or celebrating the culture and heritage of each location. Each state and territorial Center for the Book typically selects one youth and one adult title, which are then promoted at the Library of Congress’s National Book Festival.

2025 Arizona Great Read Adult Selection

Arizona Friend Trips, published by University of Arizona Press in 2025, is a celebration of friendship, discovery, and the enduring spirit of exploration. As Lisa and Julie share their favorite trips and formative experiences, readers are treated to an intimate glimpse into their lives, making this book a joyous and uplifting read for travelers and armchair explorers alike.

2025 Arizona Great Read Youth Selection

The Beat I Drum by Dusti Bowling, published in 2025 by Union Square Kids, is a heartfelt novel for readers ages 10–14. The story follows Connor Bradley, a boy who’s anxious about starting high school because of his Tourette Syndrome and the fear of how others will perceive him. As he navigates this new chapter, Connor finds support in unexpected places - new friends, a compassionate teacher, and a growing passion for drumming, which helps him manage his stress. But when challenges at home and school begin to mount, Connor uncovers a surprising source of strength that changes everything.

Many libraries across Arizona carry copies of The Beat I Drum and Arizona Friend Trips: Stories from the Road. We encourage you to visit your local library to check them out!

Borrow one of these Great Reads from your local library or find them online through Reading Arizona eBooks.

Check out the previous Arizona Great Reads from Great Places.

Great Reads from Great Places Arizona author conversations

Southwest Books of the Year

Southwest Books of the Year highlights outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction that feature a southwestern setting or subject. The publication is produced by Pima County Public Library and the Arizona Center for the Book helps distribute up to 12,000 copies of the publication to public, tribal and academic libraries outside Pima County.

Writers in Residence in Libraries

The Writers in Residence program promotes writing in communities by connecting local, professional authors to serve as Writers in Residence at public libraries. Writers in Residence spend time at the library during their residency composing new works and providing education for community members.

The following libraries were awarded LSTA funds to host a Writers in Residence program:

For more information, contact Donna Throckmorton at [email protected].

Writers in Residence in Libraries is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.