College of Arts and Sciences pairs books, MSU cheese at ‘book tasting’ event

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s College of Arts and Sciences invites the campus community to sample something new this month with its first “book tasting” event, a creative twist that pairs books, conversation and Mississippi State flavor.

“A&S Book Tasting: A Showcase of Authors” will be held Thursday, Feb. 19 from 4-5:30 p.m. in the John Grisham Room of Mitchell Memorial library.

The free event features faculty authors from across MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, each hosting a table where guests can browse books, meet the authors and enjoy selections of Mississippi State cheese. MSU’s famous Edam cheese will be featured alongside other varieties made by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

Guests also can enjoy MSU muscadine grape juice, along with a selection of other beverages and snacks.

Participating authors and works include:

—Ryan P. Semmes, “Exporting Reconstruction: Ulysses S. Grant and a New Empire of Liberty” (University of South Carolina Press, 2024)

—Josh Foreman, “Hidden History of Vicksburg” (Arcadia Publishing, 2025) and “Hidden History of New Orleans” (2020)

—Candace Lukasik, “Anthropologies of Orthodox Christianity: Theology, Politics, Ethics” (Fordham University Press, 2025)

—Michael R. Nadorff, “The Nightmare and Sleep Disorder Toolkit” (New Harbinger Publications, 2025)

—Ted Atkinson, “Monumental Designs: Infrastructure and the Culture of the Tennessee Valley Authority” (University Press of Mississippi, 2025)

—Marty Lang, “The Self-Sustaining Filmmaker” (Routledge, 2024) and discussion of his feature-length film “Stay With Me”

—Courtney E. Thompson, “Do Less Harm: Ethical Questions for Health Historians” (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025)

—Samyak Shertok, “No Rhododendron” (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2025)

—Kemeshia Swanson, “Conversations with Jesmyn Ward” (University Press of Mississippi, 2025)

“The book tasting is designed to celebrate the scholarship, creativity and range of voices within the College of Arts and Sciences while offering a relaxed, social way to engage with faculty and increase collegiality,” said Karyn Brown, the college’s assistant dean for communication and media. “Guests are encouraged to circulate, sample and discover something unexpected.”

For more information about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, visit .

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