Digital Series Debuts September 15
The Association of University Presses (AUPresses), in partnership with PBS Books, is proud to introduce Uncovered https://www.pbsbooks.org/uncovered/, a year-long digital series that invites audiences to explore the outstanding books, distinguished authors, and compelling ideas published by its member presses. The first episode, devoted to Hispanic heritage and culture, will stream on the PBS Books website, YouTube, Facebook, and the PBS app on Tuesday, September 15, at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Uncovered brings you into conversation with university-press-published authors and explores books connected to some important and fascinating themes shaping our world,” said AUPresses Executive Director Peter Berkery. “We hope that viewers will discover a new author, find their next great read, or encounter an idea that makes them see the world in a new and different way.”
“This partnership between PBS Books and AUPresses is a natural one,” said AUPresses President and Wayne State University Press Director Stephanie Williams. “PBS Books and our community of mission-driven publishers are committed to connecting people with ideas, stories, and diverse perspectives—and to creating opportunities for people to learn, engage, and discover together.”
Throughout the series, PBS Books will also provide free resources that librarians, educators, and community organizers can use to bring the books and ideas from each episode into their own communities, creating local opportunities for discussion.
“At PBS Books, we believe books build bridges—connecting people across ideas, experiences, and communities, and we aim to engage readers directly into conversation with the authors who inspire us,” said Uncovered series host Heather-Marie Montilla, National Director of PBS Books and Director of the Downers Grove Public Library in Illinois. “In partnership with AUPresses, we are strengthening that bridge by featuring authors whose work is grounded in trusted knowledge, diverse perspectives, and meaningful inquiry.”
Episode 1 starts off with a thoughtful conversation with Amaris Castillo, author of Bodega Stories (University Press of Florida). Host Montilla then introduces viewers to a dozen other outstanding books that reflect the richness and diversity of Hispanic and Latinx experiences and explore identity, culture, family, history, and community in engaging ways.
Books published by ACMRS Press, the University of Arizona Press, Georgetown University Press, the University of Georgia Press, Harvard University Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, the University Press of Kentucky, the Modern Language Association, the University of Nebraska Press, the Ohio State University Press, Princeton University Press, and the University of Washington Press are also featured in the first episode (downloadable reading list for this episode).
The series will continue with a new episode every month through August 2027. Its second episode, featuring popular science books, will air on October 13, with these topics following:
- November 2026 – Native American Heritage Month
- December 2026 – Librarians’ Favorite University Press Picks
- January 2027 – Literature in Translation
- February 2027 – Black History Month
- March 2027 – Women’s History Month
- April 2027 – National Poetry Month
- May 2027 – Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- June 2027 – Pride Month (LGBTQ+)
- July 2027 – Regional Reads
- August 2027 – Foodways
“These topics encompass heritage and identity, history and culture, science and discovery, literature and translation, poetry, food, place, and more,” said Montilla. “Together, they reveal the extraordinary breadth of ideas, cultures, histories, and perspectives represented in university press publishing.”
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners. https://www.pbsbooks.org/