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ALOUD

Ayad Akhtar: The Radiance

Co-presented with Skylight Books
Date: Thursday, Oct 22, 2026
Time: 7pm
Location: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
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Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright Ayad Akhtar upends the trope of the Great American Novel in The Radiance, shining a reflection on today’s America, the fractures within, and the promise that remains in its pieces. 
 
Centered on a writer recovering from a hit and run that leaves him torn and caught between revelation and madness, The Radiance is a novel of campus entanglement, academia and cultural warfare; of Christianity and Islam; and the play between the physical and the metaphysical. 
 
Join ALOUD and Skylight Books for a deeper exploration of this one-of-a-kind work: a portrait not only of the present moment, but the landscape around us and our place within it. 
 
“Simply put, a work of genius.” —Abraham Verghese, author of The Covenant of Water 
 
“I cannot remember the last time a book made me feel and think so much. The Radiance is as thrilling as it is illuminating. It quickened my pulse, activated my senses, awakened my mind, and stirred my soul. A wondrous, transcendent reading experience.”  
—Charles Yu, National Book Award-winning author of Interior Chinatown 

Featured Author:

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Ayad Akhtar

Ayad Akhtar is a novelist and playwright. His work has been published and performed in over two dozen languages. He is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Edith Wharton Citation of Merit for Fiction, and an award in literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, among other honors. Akhtar is the author of the novels American Dervish, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and Homeland Elegies, named one of 10 Best Books of 2020 by The New York Times. He has also authored the plays McNeal, Junk, Disgraced, The Who & The What, and The Invisible Hand. Akhtar was named the New York State Author in 2021. 

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Fatimah Asghar

Fatimah Asghar, author of If They Come for Us, is a poet, filmmaker, educator, and performer. They are the writer and co-creator of Brown Girls, an Emmy-nominated web series that highlights friendships between women of color. They also were a co-producer on Ms. Marvel for Disney + and wrote the episode “Time And Again.” Along with Safia Elhillo, they are the editor of Halal If You Hear Me, an anthology that celebrates Muslim writers who are also women, queer, gender-nonconforming, and/or trans. 

Frequently asked questions

For questions related to the venue, please visit the event registration page.

The theatre is located at Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027. You’ll find parking at the bottom of the hill, and along the perimeter at the top of the hill. Please note, the upper perimeter is a one-way street. Parking is not permitted overnight. The Park closes at 10pm.

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What is your refund policy?

All books are non-refundable. Thank you for supporting the Los Angeles Public Library.

Where can I pick up my book?

Book purchases will be only available for in-person pick-up at the event. Please note: We strongly encourage you to purchase your book(s) in advance of the event; we cannot guarantee quantities available for sale at the event.

Where should I park?

We recommend taking public transportation. Parking for the Central Library is available at the Westlawn Garage at 524 S. Flower Street. If you park at the Westlawn Garage, 524 S. Flower Street lot, there is a $8 charge if you exit after 9:00 PM ($1 with Library card validation before 9:00 PM).

Where can I get a parking validation?

Patrons can obtain validation upon presenting a valid library card at the Central Library’s Information Desk (first floor) BEFORE the program. For more information, visit the Central Library’s website: LFLA.org/Parking

What if a program is full?

You are welcome to come as a standby guest. Standby numbers are distributed one hour before the program on a first-come, first served basis. Admission is subject to availability.

What is your reservation for free programs?

As this program is free of charge, it is our policy to overbook. In the case of a FULL program your free reservation may not guarantee admission. We recommend arriving early. Unclaimed reservations will be released to standby patrons at the start of each program.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Contact the Public Programs office at programs@lfla.org or by calling 213.292.6254.

Mask Policy

Masks are no longer required in city libraries; like in other indoor places, masks will be strongly recommended.

 

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What You Will Need to Register

Your Ranked Dinner Preferences

Review the available dinners and decide on your top choices. You’ll be assigned to one dinner based on availability and your ticket level.

Guest Information

If you are registering guests, please have their full names and email addresses ready.

Payment Method

Have your credit card on hand to complete your purchase.

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Important: Please select a different dinner for each of your ranked choices. If you choose the same dinner multiple times and space is not available, we won’t be able to seat you at a dinner. In that case, your ticket will be processed as a donation, and you will not be assigned to a Feasts dinner.

Stay Connected
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Stacy Lieberman

As President and CEO of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA), Stacy Lieberman is an innovative and inclusive leader whose career dwells at the intersection of arts and culture, lifelong learning, storytelling, and equitable access. Stacy guides the Foundation’s philanthropic and public-facing priorities to serve the Los Angeles Public Library, embracing the notion that libraries are beacons of democracy where everyone is welcome. She works intentionally with community leaders, donors, and internal and external strategic partners to raise awareness and resources for the Library and its life-changing initiatives.

With more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive, Stacy has left an indelible mark on iconic L.A. arts, non-profit, and educational institutions such as The Broad, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Skirball Cultural Center. Building on an early career in book publishing, she has dedicated her professional life to sharing stories and broadening the reach of public institutions to welcome visitors and students of all ages and backgrounds to experience educational, arts, and cultural opportunities.