UNC Asheville’s Literature and Language Department will host two readings by critically acclaimed author Joe Wenderoth April 23-24 in Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall. Wenderoth will read poetry and excerpts from his most recent book, “The Holy Spirit of Life: Essays on John Ashcroft’s Secret Self” at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 23. Wenderoth will read from and discuss his popular book “Letters to Wendy’s” at 6 p.m. Monday, April 24. Both events are free and open to the public.

Wenderoth began his career as a graduate student at Warren Wilson College. He graduated in 1995 with a contract for his first book, “Disfortune.” Over the next five years Wenderoth wrote three more books, “It Is If I Speak,” “The Endearment,” and “Letters to Wendy’s,” a collection of fictitious responses to the Wendy’s fast food chain on its customer comment cards. After the book was excerpted in Harper’s magazine, “Letters to Wendy’s” won critical acclaim from sources as wide ranging as The Philadelphia Weekly to Rolling Stone magazine. The Boston Review described it as “a book that will likely become known in literary history as the most apt, able, and adventurous ars poetica to be produced for and by Generation X.” Wenderoth teaches English at the University of California Davis.

For more information, call UNC Asheville’s Literature and Language Department at 828/251-6411.