Author Jennifer Givhan to discuss ‘Salt Bones’ at CSUSB

Award-winning poet and novelist Jennifer Givhan, whose acclaimed novel “Salt Bones” draws on the landscapes, cultures and environmental challenges of Southern California’s desert borderlands, will visit Cal State San Bernardino on Tuesday, Sept. 15, for a book giveaway, signing and discussion celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

The main program will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the Faculty Center for Excellence, PL-4005, on the fourth floor of the John M. Pfau Library. Givhan will discuss “Salt Bones,” the experiences and landscapes that shaped the novel, and themes running throughout her work. An audience question-and-answer session will follow.

Before the talk, 100 free copies of Givhan’s books, including “Salt Bones,” will be given to CSUSB students from 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. on the library’s first floor near the presidential portraits. Books will be available while supplies last. Givhan will sign books and meet students.

Set in the desert borderlands near the Salton Sea, “Salt Bones” blends magical realism, mystery, horror and suspense while exploring motherhood, environmental injustice, generational trauma and the disappearances of Indigenous and Latina women. The novel draws deeply from a region Givhan knows firsthand: She grew up in the Imperial Valley and has described the Southern California desert borderlands as formative to her life and writing.

“‘Salt Bones’ is a novel written by a poet, blending beautiful language and mythology into a story set in a landscape near and dear to us at CSUSB,” said Rebecca Lubas, dean of CSUSB Libraries. “I am so excited that the author is visiting us!”

Published in 2025, “Salt Bones” received widespread critical recognition. The Los Angeles Times called the novel “a triumph,” praising Givhan’s blend of horror, mystery, thriller and literary writing. Publishers Weekly selected “Salt Bones” as one of its Best Books of 2025.

Givhan is a Mexican American and Indigenous poet and novelist who has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and PEN/Rosenthal Emerging Voices. She is the author of the novels “Salt Bones,” “River Woman, River Demon,” “Trinity Sight” and “Jubilee.” She also has published five full-length poetry collections.

Her appearance at CSUSB comes less than a month after the Aug. 18 release of her newest novel, “The Sleeping Sisters.” The literary horror novel, set in New Mexico, explores murder, motherhood, family history and Indigenous folklore.

This program is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee, Acto Latino, the Department of English and the Honors College.

Those unable to attend in person may participate via Zoom.

For questions or more information, contact Rob Madrigal at rmadriga@csusb.edu.