Widening one’s worldview begins with conversation and exposure to varying walks of life. Black Mountain Institute, an international literary center, understands this well and has steadily stoked a fire of intellectual and cultural growth for 20 years.

It’s spring and loads of new books are out or are on the way. Books of local interest but also from local authors are on tap today. But we also want to hear from you: What are you reading and why?

Above the store sits several apartments that house writers from UNLV’s Black Mountain Institute literary program. Cohen said the name of the store references the “block” of writers living in the building, instead of the affliction that prevents people from writing.

Las Vegas likes to read. The city has a fantastic library system, great independent bookstores like Writer's Block and Las Vegas Books, and an acclaimed writers program at Black Mountain Institute at UNLV.

If Jordan Peele’s 2017 film Get Out spurred a resurgence of Black horror in cinema, Tananarive Due’s novels have made a similar impact on literature. The award-winning author, who wrote for Peele’s Paramount+ revival of The Twilight Zone and teaches a UCLA class inspired by his directorial debut, stands at the forefront of reputable Black horror and Afrofuturistic sci-fi writers who have reshaped the narrative with their worlds and words.

There may be no destination as welcoming as Las Vegas, but as a place to live and work and grow—a true home—it’s a bit elusive. Las Vegas takes a while. New residents might hear this from longtime locals: It takes a couple years to get used to it, and we’re not talking about the summertime heat. There’s something about this place that requires patience for meaningful connection … but once you’ve found it, it tends to click into place. You discover your community or culture or cause, and now you’re invested. Being local means making a contribution.