Are you ready to read?

The University of Houston-Victoria's American Book Review's Fall 2012 Reading Series and Victoria College's Lyceum 2012-13 Lecture Series are coming up.

On Thursday, Steve Tomasula will be the first speaker to take part in UHV's ABR series. The lecture will start at noon in the Alcorn Auditorium. The Lyceum series will open on Oct. 1 with Rick Shenkman at 7 p.m. in the Leo J. Welder Center for Performing Arts.

We are excited to see both of these series begin for a new season of literary exploration and appreciation. In the past, both of these series have enjoyed a positive response from the community, and we hope to see a similar response this year. Victoria is fortunate to have two institutes of higher learning that put such an emphasis on bringing culture to not just their students, but the community as a whole. By making these events open to the community, VC and UHV are investing themselves in the community and promoting community involvement in higher education.

We are always excited to see what new elements of culture and social issues these lectures will bring to Victoria, and we hope the visiting authors inspire residents and students with their talents and fresh perspectives.

Tomasula's presentation on Thursday will feature a reading of some of his writing. He writes in a stream-of-conscious style which he says focuses on the self-actualization of his characters. We look forward to seeing and hearing what Tomasula will bring to the ABR series and the Victoria community, and we encourage members of the community to take the time to attend this event. Victoria has an active emphasis on arts and culture in the community, and we hope to see that enthusiasm at the Alcorn Auditorium, as well as in each of the lectures in both the ABR and Lyceum series this year.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.

• • WHO: Steve Tomasula

  • WHERE: Alcorn Auditorium, 3007 N. Ben Wilson

  • WHEN: Noon, Sept. 13

  • WHO: Paisley Rekdal

  • WHERE: Alcorn Auditorium, 3007 N. Ben Wilson

  • WHEN: Noon, Sept. 27

  • WHO: Mat Johnson

  • WHERE: Alcorn Auditorium, 3007 N. Ben Wilson

  • WHEN: Noon, Oct. 10

  • WHO: Norma Cantú

  • WHERE: Alcorn Auditorium, 3007 N. Ben Wilson

  • WHEN: Noon, Nov. 8

  • WHO: Jake Adam York

  • WHERE: Alcorn Auditorium, 3007 N. Ben Wilson

  • WHEN: Noon, Nov. 29