Welcome to U of A Reads: Stories Behind the Stories — the podcast that takes you beyond the book jacket and into the creative heart of the University of Alberta’s finest storytellers.
In each episode, we sit down with U of A authors — from celebrated alumni to inspiring faculty and emerging student voices — to explore the passion, process, and personal journeys behind their latest works. From fiction to memoir, poetry to research, discover the experiences, memories, and motivations that shaped the stories on the page.
Because every great book has a backstory — and we’re here to share it.
Territorial Acknowledgement
The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of the Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.
An award-winning non-fiction writer, Carissa Halton (she/her), '03 BA, released her debut historical novel, Revolution Songs in October 2025. She is also the author of Little Yellow House: Finding Community in a Changing Neighbourhood (a finalist for the 2019 Edmonton Book Prize). Her work has appeared in magazines, newspapers and anthologies and her essays have won both National and Alberta Magazine Awards. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her family.