Latest media releases from your favorite UW content-creating alumni
Not a bad spot to crack open a new book. Photo by Raymond Smith.
This spring, escape from reality with a good book or podcast—and connect with the UW community in the process. Podcasts can improve our auditory function and concentration. Reading decreases stress, improves mood and increases empathy. (Not to mention, to quote RuPaul Charles quoting Margaret McNamara, reading is fundamental.) Check out these new releases by UW faculty and alumni.
On the Hippie Trail
Rick Steves, ’78
Hatchette Book Group, Feb. 2025
Renowned travel expert Rick Steves recalls his experience in the 1970s as a 23-year-old along the famed Istanbul-to-Kathmandu trail. Documenting his journey, he had a world-changing experience that forever broadened his perspective on the world and turned him into one of the most well-known explorers, tour leaders, speakers and TV show hosts in the world.
Bingsu for Two
Sujin Witherspoon, ’22
Union Square & Co.
This young adult romance delivers a charming coming-of-age tale of enemies who fall for one another while working in a Korean café in Seattle. Witherspoon wrote this novel while she was a student majoring in English at the UW. Read our Q&A with Witherspoon!
Forever Curious: Exploring Untold Histories with Ross Coen
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Feb. 2025
This podcast, brought to you by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the UW, is for anyone who loves to learn and is always curious about the world around us. Coen talks about the unique cultural and historical narratives of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. He also discusses the stories behind his three books and his approach to teaching complex historical events.
Crossing North
Department of Scandinavian Studies
Produced and hosted by Colin Gioia Connors, “Crossing North” tells a new story each episode with a Scandinavian twist. Connors invites artists, scholars and community members from Nordic and Baltic countries to get deep in the weeds on folklore, geopolitical conflict, language and more.
Let’s Talk Memoir
Ronit Plank
Ronit Plank, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Atlantic, teaches a 10-week certificate course on memoir writing through UW Continuing & Professional Education. Her podcast, which details the memoir-writing process and provides tips and inspiration, is for anyone who loves to read or write memoirs. Recent episodes highlight topics like motherhood, grief belonging and—of course—writing, featuring essayists, historians and artists.
The Ghost of Us
James L. Sutter, ’04
Romance novels are flying off the shelves these days, thanks in part to the romance readers on TikTok and their BookTok community. If you’re too cool for viral books like “Song of Achilles” or “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” or perhaps you’re looking for an age-appropriate romantasy novel for the young adult in your life, check out local writer and video game creator James L. Sutter’s latest novel, “The Ghost of Us,” recommended for fans of ghosts, sapphic love stories and melancholy high school drama.
We Still Belong
Christine Day, ’15, ’18
Indigenous American middle grade fiction author Christine Day’s most recent novel, “We Still Belong,” is dedicated to kids who yearn to belong. “I believe young people deserve to feel a sense of belonging, no matter who they are, or where they’re from, or what they’re going through in life,” Day says.
“We Still Belong” follows a young girl in her efforts to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day. The novel, which won an American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Middle School Book, was placed under review by a school board in Florida for potentially violating state laws that “forbid instruction about race, color, sex or national origin that make someone feel guilt or anguish.” The story, which ends with the main character finding belonging in her community, is described as “warm and cozy,” “sweet” and “heartfelt” by reviewers.
Bonus recommendation: Kyle MacLachlan’s TikTok
Let it be known that at least half of the staff at UW Magazine are big fans of the 1982 College of Arts & Sciences grad and his wine, podcast, Charli XCX obsession and overall existence. MacLachlan has always been a social media star, but his presence on TikTok since the passing of longtime collaborator David Lynch in January has been a strange comfort.