The University of Texas Press has published more than 4,000 books over seven decades! In celebration of their 75th anniversary this year, they’re having an event at the downtown Austin Central Library on Sunday, September 21 with several of their authors
The day-long literary event will open with Mayor Kirk Watson announcing a UT Press Day proclamation, followed by conversations with authors and editors throughout the day. Featured authors include Sarah Bird discussing her UT Press publications, David Hillis and Asher Elbein discussing conservation and nature, grief specialist Lisa Keefauver speaking with Dr. Art Markman from the "Two Guys on Your Head" podcast and acclaimed essayist Stephan Harrigan in conversation with New Yorker writer Rachel Monroe. The event will conclude with Hanif Abdurraquib and Jessica Hopper, authors and editors with UT Press’ American Music Series.
WHENSeptember 21, 2025 from 10am to 8pm
WHERE: Austin Central Library:710 W. Cesar Chavez) | Special Event Center
*Free and open to the public; Follow along on Instagram @utexaspress.
POEMS & PRAYERS
By: Matthew McConaughey
Five years after the Academy Award-winning actor released Greenlights, which spent 99 weeks on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list, 34 weeks (and counting) on the paperback bestseller list, and 56 consecutive months (and counting) on the audio bestseller list, his latest book, Poems & Prayers, will be published September 16.
Poems & Prayers is described as “An inspiring, faith-filled, and often hilarious collection of McConaughey’s writings on navigating the rodeo of life...” In it he says, “I’ve always relied on logic to make sense of myself and the world. A prescriptionist at heart, I’ve always looked to reason to find the rhyme, the practical to get to the mystical, the choreography to find the dance, the proof to get to the truth, and reality to get to the dream.” He says, “I’ve been finding that tougher to do lately…But I don’t want to quit believing.. put proof on the shelf for a season, and rhyme our way to reason.”
An audiobook edition, read (of course) by McConaughey himself, will be released simultaneously by Penguin Random House Audio.
CHASING SUNSETS DOWN I-80
By: Jennifer Birn with Dhani Jones
The debut novel from Austin Lifestyle’s Editor-in-Chief follows Sarah Emma, a publicist grappling with the loss of her mother and the shocking family secrets she subsequently uncovers. Beginning with the story of her grandparents, Charlotte and Frederic Rosenthal, Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives in postwar America, Sarah Emma shares her story with Liam, a journalist, in real time. A multi-generational story of survival, love, identity and the invisible threads that bind generations, the story is told in dual timelines and explores how the past informs the present, and how chasing the setting sun can sometimes lead you home. The story was a collaboration with former NFL player Dhani Jones while they made the cross-country road trip, like the characters in their book. The book cover was painted by local Austin artist Avery Price. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.