Deep Read 2024 gears up

Leaders with the The Humanities Institute’s 2024 Deep Read have been busily preparing for the program’s kick-off, with events starting early next month and culminating with a live discussion featuring the author on campus Sunday, May 19. 

This year’s Deep Read selection, Hernan Diaz’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel Trust, is one of the most talked-about, praised, and bestselling works of historical fiction of the past few years.

The novel pairs the music of the roaring 1920s with the staccato rhythm of the ticker tape in an exploration of how trusts, bonds, and other financial instruments of the early 20th century penetrate the very core of human relationships and the stories we tell about them. 

Lauded by former President Barack Obama as one of his favorite books of 2022, Trust will give Deep Readers a chance to explore The Humanities Institute’s (THI) current annual theme of technology, reflecting the Humanities Division’s strong commitment to exploring the ethical implications of tech.

‘We are so excited about this book,” said Irena Polić, Deep Read founding director. “I hope our readers will be able to join us at one of the salons and of course for the main event in May.”

A growing circle of Deep Readers

The Deep Read program has grown steadily since its inception. 

“It has been such a joy and privilege to watch this program grow from an idea five years ago to a signature program for our campus and community,” said Polić. “We now have over 9,000 deeply engaged readers across the globe, and that number continues to grow each year.”

UCSC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the broader community are all welcome to participate.

The program is giving away 1,000 free copies of the book to current UCSC students who sign up. It has already given away all 200 of the free copies it had available for non-students.

Both students and others can sign up to get the Deep Read emails, information on the 2024 Deep Read events, and (for students) information on how to reserve a free copy of the book.

What to expect

The Deep Read is all about reading deeply with the help from scholars at UC Santa Cruz. Over four weeks starting in late April, participants will read Trust together. Here’s a rundown of what to expect when you sign up. 

The scholars 

     • Lori Kletzer, economics; campus provost and executive vice chancellor
     • Madhavi Murty, feminist studies
     • Dard Neuman, music
     • Zac Zimmer, literature and Deep Read faculty lead

Email explorations

Weekly emails will dive into a different aspect of the book, guided by the Deep Read scholars. 

Salons

Regional alumni salons, April and May
Salons will take place in California and in New York City. 

     • April 3: New York City
     • April 25: San Francisco Bay Area
     • May 8: San Diego

Craft salon, April 30
An online discussion focused on the writing craft of Trust. More details coming soon.

Faculty salon, May 6
Join the conversation—either in person or online—in which our participating professors will lead a discussion of the book with UCSC students and the broader Deep Read community. 

Community conversations

Participants can ask questions, post comments, and engage with fellow Deep Readers in online forums for each of the weekly explorations of the book.

The author visit

The program will culminate in a live discussion of Trust with author Hernan Diaz in conversation with Zac Zimmer, Deep Read faculty lead and associate professor of literature, on May 19 at UC Santa Cruz’s Quarry Amphitheater.

The class

In spring quarter 2024, Lecturer and THI Program Manager Laura Martin will teach a course at Porter College for UCSC students exploring Trust and Hernan Diaz’s other writings. Many insights from the class will be shared with the broader Deep Read community throughout the program.

The Deep Read Program is made possible through the generous support of the Helen and Will Webster Foundation. 

Learn more about the Deep Read program and sign up for updates.