Gwinnett Daily Post

Special Photo Pulitzer Prize winner and the Poet Laureate of the United States Natasha Trethewey will appear as the 2012 Gwinnett Reads author on Oct. 7.

LAWRENCEVILLE -- The United States Poet Laureate is coming to Lawrenceville as this year's Gwinnett Reads author and keynote speaker for Fall Into The Arts.

Natasha Trethewey, a 1989 University of Georgia graduate and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, was named the U.S. Poet Laureate by the Library of Congress in June. On Oct. 7, she is appearing at the Georgia Gwinnett College Student Center at 5 p.m. to talk about her latest book, "Thrall," which was released Aug. 28.

"Her work combines free verse with more traditional forms like the sonnet and the villanelle to explore memory and the racial legacy of America," according to release from the Gwinnett County Public Library.

Trethewey, a native of Gulfport, Miss., is the author of three collections of poetry, including the 2006 publication "Native Guard," for which she won the Pulitzer Prize.

Besides the accomplished author, there will be light refreshments served and music provided by harpist Joyce Parks, director of the B.J. Chorale at the event.

Books will be available for purchase with sales beginning at 4:30 p.m.. The doors open at 4:45 p.m. For more information about Fall Into The Arts, visit www.gwinnettfallintothearts.org.