Lit Lounge: The Power of Life with author Dr. Jessica Riskin

Lit Lounge is a new series celebrating the joy of analog connection—reading together, discovering new voices, and sharing a drink with fellow book lovers. Author Dr. Jessica Riskin will be in conversation with KQED's Laura Klivans on Dr. Riskin's latest novel, The Power of Life.

This event is done in partnership between Saint Joseph’s Arts Society and Mechanics’ Institute, sponsored by Svane Culture Forward. Bring your book, bring your friends, and bring your curiosity.

Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) and settle in with a literary-inspired cocktail for a rare chance to disconnect from the digital and sink into the page. Whether you come solo, with your book club, or just want to finally crack open that novel on your nightstand, this is a night designed for readers.

Evening Flow:

6:00-7:00 pm - Settle in, get a drink, and enjoy a good book - your own, or a lend from the library collection!

7:00-8:00 pm - Discussion with Dr. Jessica Riskin on The Power of Life

8:00-9:00 pm - Get your book signed, enjoy activities and explore the library!

About the Author

Jessica Riskin teaches European history and the history of science at Stanford University. She was educated at Harvard and UC Berkeley, and has also taught at MIT and Sciences Po, Paris. She is the author of The Restless Clock: A History of the Centuries-Long Argument over What Makes Living Things Tick. Her first book was about science and revolution in France, entitled Science in the Age of Sensibility. Her most notorious piece of writing is The Defecating Duck (which has even been mentioned in a novel by Peter Carey). Her most downloaded work by far is Machines in the Garden. She lives with her husband, son, daughter, dog and cat in Berkeley, CA.

About the Moderator

Laura Klivans is an award-winning climate reporter for KQED News, where she covers climate change. She is the former host of Deep Look, KQED’s video series. Her work reaches national audiences through NPR, Here & Now, PRI, and other major outlets. She has won five Northern California Area Emmy Awards and first place in the Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards. In the past, she taught audio storytelling at the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, led international education programs, worked with immigrants and refugees along the Thai-Burmese border, taught high schoolers sex education, and worked as an actress. She is a former UC Berkeley Human Rights Fellow, University of Southern California Center for Health Journalism’s California Fellow and Coro Fellow in Public Affairs. She has master’s degrees in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley and in education from Harvard University, and an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. 

About Saint Joseph's Arts Society

Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, founded by visionary designer Ken Fulk in 2018, was established to celebrate arts, design, and culture in all forms in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Located inside St. Joseph’s, a revitalized National Historic Landmark former church, the Arts Society is a cultural hub and creative haven offering inspiring multi-disciplinary programming, engaging art and design exhibitions, innovative immersive events, and curated retail experiences. Through the cultivation of art and design, conversation and creativity, the Arts Society is dedicated to elevating our shared human experience.

About Svane Culture Foward

The Svane Family Foundation supports the arts, artists and arts organizations. Culture Forward is a $5 million grant initiative by The Svane Family Foundation supporting arts and culture projects that attract families, students, and young professionals to Downtown San Francisco.

Location: 57 Post St, SF, 94104 | Mechanics' Institute, 4th Floor Meeting Room