Tucson Festival of Books

Jonathan Gleason (He / Him)


Jonathan Gleason is author of "Field Guide to Falling Ill," a collection of essays exploring the human lives behind the corporate, legal and cultural practices of medicine. It has been described as a layered, reflective, and unusually poised debut and was the inaugural winner of the Yale Nonfiction Book Prize. A 2024 Granum Foundation finalist, Gleason's work has appeared in the Best American Essays, The Sun magazine, New England Review, and Kenyon Review. He teaches creative writing at the University of Chicago.

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Awards: Yale Nonfiction Book Prize

Communities: LGBTQ+


Scheduled events:
Bias and Inequity in Medicine
Through a rich mix of personal narrative and professional insight, authors Rachel Kolb, Jonathan Gleason and Dr. Melody Glenn will untangle the assumptions modern medicine makes about people with disabilities and illnesses. How can we see and deal with these challenges?

Student Union Santa Rita (Seats 110)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sat, Mar 14, 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

Panelists: Jonathan Gleason, Melody Glenn, Rachel Kolb
Moderator: Evan Davies
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Joi and Bianca Bowen, Roberta and Bill Witchger
Medicine and Meaning in Today's World
Authors Jonathan Gleason and Wendy Johnson share insights on navigating sickness and building networks of care that bring hope and meaning to the healing process, while exploring practical wisdom about how we can heal together.

Science City - Main Stage (Seats 195)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sun, Mar 15, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Science / Medicine / Technology
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Science City (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

Panelists: Jonathan Gleason, Wendy Johnson
Moderator: Lauren Rabb
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of JoBob Hungate, Roche Tissue Diagnostics

Book:
Field Guide to Falling Ill
Essays
Science / Medicine / Technology
Yale University Press
January 2026
ISBN 9780300282948
256 pages
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