Bill Castanier

Lansing

Literary Journalist at City Pulse

Literary journalist and lit blogger

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Articles

New novel shows just how ‘moral’ 19th-century psychiatry was - City Pulse

1 week ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

“Moral Treatment,” by Stephanie Carpenter, an assistant professor of creative writing at Michigan Technological University, is a mystifying historical novel set at the former Northern Michigan Asylum in Traverse City during the latter part of the 19th century. The book was published by Central Michigan University Press and was the first work chosen for its Summit Series Prize, which will be awarded annually.
Recommendations for reading your way through the Vietnam War - City Pulse

2 weeks ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

Today, April 30, is a monumental day in American history: the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, 20 years after it officially started. The death of a classmate from my high school, Gerald Collier, on Oct. 15, 1966, brought the war home for me and the other residents of my small town in the Thumb. More than 6,300 U.S service members died that year. The bloodiest years were yet to come.
Public Art of the Week - City Pulse

2 weeks ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

‘We that are youngShall never see so much, nor live so long’King LearThe Historical Society of Greater Lansing has received a bust of actor John Peakes in his role of King Lear that will be displayed at the society’s new headquarters in the Rogers-Carrier House at Lansing Community College. The bust, sculpted by former East Lansing artist Nancy Leisorowitz, was displayed at Lansing’s old BoarsHead Theater and later at the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.
Curtis Chin to address the crowd at annual Night for Notables - City Pulse

3 weeks ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

6 p.m. Saturday, April 26Library of Michigan702 W.
Amid dreary spring weather, thriller novels offer literary adventures - City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

Posted Wednesday, April 16, 2025 7:52 am When spring showers keep us inside, there’s no reason we can’t still have some adventure in our lives. Here are several crime and thriller books to keep you engaged on rainy days.
Public Art of the Week - City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

Two Michigan State University artists decided to “light the night” on the MSU campus with their unique immersive art installation by attaching two 4-foot-long LED tubes to each of 43 trees at the northeast corner of Trowbridge and Harrison roads. The Christo-like installation was meant to further discussion about land management and use, said Hailey Becker, who collaborated on the project with Patrick Taylor, an MSU fine arts graduate.
Through war letters, Jana Nicol sees new side of her late father - City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2025 8:47 am 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1 LCC Gannon Building, Grand River Room 422 N. Washington Square, Lansing facebook.com/groups/137660544586 A little over three years ago, Jana Nicol had the idea to publish a book of her late father’s World War II letters to his parents. Last week, she drove to Michigan State University’s Main Library to pick up the first copies of the book, “Your Loving Son, Duane: Letters from World War II.” In a Facebook post after her trip to...
Public Art | City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2025 7:57 am Michigan State University students, faculty, staff and alumni have been asked to help choose a design for a memorial recognizing the death of three students and the serious injury of several others when on Feb 13, 2023, a gunman entered Berkey Hall and the MSU Union, forever changing how we feel about the safety and serenity of campus. Since then, Judith Stoddart, MSU vice provost for university arts and collections, has led a planning process to honor...
Lansing’s Lori Nelson Spielman hits it big with Netflix adaptation - City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2025 7:51 am 5 p.m. April 6 Hooked 3142 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing hookedlansing.com Having Netflix base a film on her first novel may not have been on Lansing author Lori Nelson Spielman’s life list, but here she is. The novel, 2013’s “The Life List,” was a stunning success for the author, who previously worked as a speech therapist, school guidance counselor and teacher in Lansing. It follows a young woman who is directed through her late mother’s last will and...
Public Art of the Week | City Pulse

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Bill Castanier

Public art was once defined by graffiti under bridges and classical sculptures in gardens, then cities like Philadelphia and Detroit rebranded public graffiti as art, thanks to folks like Banksy,