Wicked Books Project

The Wicked Books Project features Connecticut writers and readers discussing influential and foundational books in their lives. The project began as a class project at Central Connecticut State and is now a state-wide initiative. In the coming months Lit Fest staff will put out an open call to tell your book-story at our New Britain campus studio. Thank you to our project sponsor, Central Connecticut State University English Department.

CT Lit Fest · Margaret Gibson's Wicked Book

Margaret Gibson discusses "The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke." Recorded by Sam Meyer, edited by James Coburn

CT Lit Fest · Natalie Catasus's Wicked Book

Natalie Catasus discusses "We The Animals" by Justin Torres. Produced by Noah Roy.

CT Lit Fest · Nicole Brewer's Wicked Book

Nicole Brewer discusses "Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler. Produced by Samantha Meyer.

CT Lit Fest · Sergio Troncoso's Wicked Book

Sergio Troncoso discusses "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Recorded by Sam Meyer, edited by James Coburn.

I think what influence means for me is that someone else’s words open up a space in you that you haven’t touched before, where things have been wordless, and that this space is something absolutely necessary for you to explore as a human being.

- Margaret Gibson, CT Poet Laureate 2019-2022

CT Lit Fest · Ines Rivera's Wicked Book

Ines Rivera discusses "The Farming of Bones" by Edwidge Danticat. Recorded by Sam Meyer, edited by James Coburn.

CT Lit Fest · Mary Collins' Wicked Book

Mary Collins discusses "The Idiot" by Dostoevsky. Produced by Katelyn Marquard.

CT Lit Fest · Candace Barrington's Wicked Book

Candace Barrington discusses "Foster" by Claire Keegan. Produced by Alex Matulis.

CT Lit Fest · Monica Ong's Wicked Book

Monica Ong discusses "World Alchemy" by Xu Bing. Recorded by Sam Meyer, edited by James Coburn.

CT Lit Fest · Amanda Fields' Wicked Book

Amanda Fields discusses "The Phantom Toll Booth" by Norton Jesser. Produced by Jessica Warshauer.

In-Kind Project Sponsor

CT Lit Fest · Matt Ciscel's Wicked Book

Matt Ciscel discusses "Faust" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Produced by Jason Sabetta.

Your support for the Wicked Book Project pays for producers and editors to record and assemble audio clips. Each segment requires about four hours to record, transcribe and edit. The Lit Fest is wholly independently funded in partnership with our nonprofit sponsor, Real Art Ways.