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Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Ghazala Hashmi has unveiled a Summer Reading List inviting Virginians to explore books that examine the connections between literature, civic life, democracy, and government ahead of her Literature & Government lecture series scheduled for September.
According to a statement from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the reading list, introduced in a recently released video, features works that explore the intersections of storytelling, literature, language, public policy, government, and cultural heritage.
“I have always believed that literature provides the opportunity and has the power to deepen our understanding of one another, our worlds and lives, and to build communities,” Hashmi said. “The texts selected for this September’s lecture series give us a chance to look at the role of government through the lens of literature. We will explore issues as significant as Virginia’s foster care system, substance abuse, poverty, heritage, culture, as well as labor and the dignity of work.”
Hashmi said she looks forward to discussing the selected works with Virginians across Southwest Virginia during the lecture series this fall.
The Literature & Government: A Lecture Series will bring these discussions to communities across the Commonwealth. The September schedule includes:
September 22, 2026
Wytheville Community College
- Working by Studs Terkel
September 23, 2026
Radford University
- The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter by Sharyn McCrumb
- She Walks These Hills by Sharyn McCrumb
September 24, 2026
Roanoke College
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
- David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
The statement encourages Virginians to read the featured books over the summer and participate in the discussions during the September lecture series. Additional event details and registration information are expected to be announced in August.
More information about the Literature & Government: A Lecture Series is available on the Lieutenant Governor’s website.
