Are you looking for a bookish event to attend this month? Add an author reading to your calendar!
Check the events calendar at your local bookstores, libraries, and museums to find authors coming to your area. You can also follow favorite authors on social media or visit their website to see if they have any upcoming events. Attend on your own or bring your child along to experience the magic of hearing from an author in person!
If you are local to the Boston area, here are some fantastic author events coming your way this month:
Wednesday, September 12 – 6pm at Boston Public Library, Copley Square
Anne Boyd Rioux, Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women And Why It Still Matters
“On its 150th anniversary, discover the story of the beloved classic that has captured the imaginations of generations. Soon after publication on September 30, 1868, Little Women became an enormous bestseller and one of America – and the world’s – favorite novels. When Anne Boyd Rioux read the novel in her twenties, she had a powerful reaction to the story. Through teaching the book, she has seen the same effect on many others. In Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, Rioux recounts how Louisa May Alcott came to write Little Women, drawing inspiration from her own life. Rioux also examines why this tale of family and community ties, set as the Civil War was tearing America apart, has resonated through later wars, the Depression, and times of changing opportunities for women.”
For more, visit the event website and listen to A Bookish Home Podcast Episode 1 with Anne Boyd Rioux. You can also see Anne Boyd Rioux’s complete book tour information here.
Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women And Why It Still Matters is available on:
Indiebound Amazon Amazon Kindle
Wednesday, September 12th –6pm at Silver Unicorn Books, Acton
Rebecca Caprara (The Magic of Melwick Orchard) and Erin Cashman (Uncharted)
“This is going to be one of the best events of the year! Two local authors, both from Boxborough, have great novels out just a week apart from each other! First up is Rebecca Caprara’s debut novel, The Magic of Melwick Orchard. You may know Rebecca because her family owned the Acton School of Ballet for a very long time before turning it over to new ownership this summer. Rebecca’s book follows the story of a young girl who just can’t be a priority in her parents’ lives because of her ill sister is heartwrenching, but it is infused with a magic that will keep you up late at night finishing it. The book doesn’t come out until September, and we are so excited for it. Erin Cashman’s book, Uncharted, comes out a few days later. Hers is a gaenre-defying novel that is at once young adult, fantasy and mystery. It tells the tale of teenage Annabeth, and a secret society that may have found the fountain of youth. But the book is so much more than that, as Annabeth grapples with love and loss, and has to summon the strength inside of herself to be brave and do what’s right, all while trying to unravel a mystery that has far more twists and turns than you would expect. We thought we had this book figured six times, and were wrong every single time! Both books are among our favorites of 2018. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be celebrating these two great ladies and their two excellent books!”
For more information visit the event website.
The Magic of Melwick Orchard is available on:
Indiebound Amazon Amazon Kindle
Uncharted is available on:
Indiebound Amazon Amazon Kindle
You can find Rebecca Caprara’s full book tour information here.
Book tour information for Erin Cashman is available here.
Friday, September 14th –7pm at Newtonville Books
Release Party for Here to Stay by Sara Farizan
“What happens when a kid who’s flown under the radar for most of high school gets pulled off the bench to make the winning basket in a varsity playoff game? If his name is Bijan Majidi, life is suddenly high fives in the hallways and invitations to exclusive parties—along with an anonymous photo sent by a school cyberbully that makes Bijan look like a terrorist. The administration says they’ll find and punish the culprit. Bijan wants to pretend it never happened. He’s not ashamed of his Middle Eastern heritage; he just doesn’t want to be a poster child for Islamophobia. Lots of classmates rally around Bijan. Others make it clear they don’t want him oranybody who looks like him at their school. But it’s not always easy to tell your enemies from your friends.
For more, check out the event website.
Here to Stay is available on:
Saturday, September 15th – 4pm at Belmont Books
Louise Miller, The Late Bloomers’ Club
“The Great Belmont Books Bake-Off returns! To celebrate special cake in The Late Bloomers’ Club, [Louise Miller] will be judging a cake baking contest at Belmont Books. There will be prizes. Reading, Q&A, Book Signing and Bake-Off”
For more, visit the event website and listen to my interview with Louise Miller in A Bookish Home Podcast Episode 4.
You can find Louise Miller’s full event schedule here.
The Late Bloomers’ Club is available on:
Ella & Monkey at Sea by Emilie Boon
Do you love picture books? Join us in our children’s section each Wednesday and Sunday for drop-in storytime! Today’s storytime features Emilie Boon reading her new book. Leaving home and traveling to a whole new place is overwhelming, so it’s good to have a beloved toy who can help express how you feel. Ella’s best friend, Monkey, doesn’t like good-bye hugs. He doesn’t want to say good-bye to Oma. And he doesn’t want to move away forever. Neither does Ella. But Papa is waiting for them in New York. So Ella and Monkey must board the ship with Mama and leave their old home in Holland for their new home in America.
For more information visit the event website
Ella & Monkey at Sea is available on:
Sunday, September 16th –2pm at Silver Unicorn Bookstore, Acton
Author Event with Christina Collins (After Zero), Jen Petro-Roy (P.S. I Miss You), and Beth Turley (If This Were A Story)
“This is going to be a great middle-grade panel discussion, led by three local authors who have debut novels — all geared toward middle-grade readers — out in 2018.
Christina Collins is a Maynard native who now lives across the pond in Northern Ireland. Her debut novel, After Zero, comes out Sept. 4, and is an incredibly moving story of what happens to a girl who decides to stop talking. The book has already received praise from Kirkus Reviews and Booklist, who says it’s “easy to root for” main character Elise.
Beth Turley lives in southeastern Connecticut, and her book, If This Were a Story, debuts on Aug. 28. Her book centers on a 10-year-old girl who deals with bullies at school through the power of stories. The book has earned praise from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and has been compared to The Thing about Jellyfish.
Jen lives in Massachussetts, and her book, P.S. I Miss You, debuted in March. Two sisters are torn apart by strict Catholic parents, when the older sister, Cilla, becomes pregnant. Younger sister Evie is forbidden to speak to Cilla, who is sent away to live with her aunt, so instead she secretly sends her letters. That is, until Cilla stops writing back.
These women have written three excellent middle-grade novels that deal with mental health and we couldn’t be more excited to have them all to the store individually, never mind at the exact same time! Join us for this fabulous middle-grade event!”
For more information visit the event website.
After Zero is available on:
Indiebound Amazon Amazon Kindle
If This Were A Story is available on:
Indiebound Amazon Amazon Kindle
P.S. I Miss You is available on:
Indiebound Amazon Amazon Kindle
Sunday, September 16, 2018 – 3:00pm at Porter Square Books
Mission Defrostable by Josh Funk & Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes and Stinkers by Melissa Stewart
“There’s a frost in the fridge–and it’s hardened Pudding Pond and frozen Yogurt Falls. Agent Asparagus is on the case, and she begs Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast to join her superspy team. But when the enemy snatches Asparagus, Pancake and French Toast have only one dough man to turn to for help: the evil Baron von Waffle Will he help them save the fridge . . . or are they doomed to become frozen food? Josh Funk is the author of Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, followed by its sequel The Case of the Stinky Stench, Albie Newton, How to Code a Sandcastle, Lost in the Library, and more. He lives in Concord, MA.
Puny? Poky? Clumsy? Shy? A lighthearted look at the surprising traits that help some animals survive. Written with a lively, playful voice, Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers introduces young readers to a variety of “animal underdogs” and explains how characteristics that might seem like weaknesses are critical for finding food and staying safe in an eat-or-be-eaten world. Award-winning author Melissa Stewart offers readers a humorous and informative nonfiction picture book with a gentle message of understanding and celebrating differences. Stephanie Laberis’s bright, bold–and scientifically accurate–illustrations add to the fun.”
Monday, September 17, 2018 – 7:00pm at Belmont Public Library, with Belmont Books
Winnie’s Great War by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut
“Learn the story behind everyone’s favorite bear in Lindsay Mattick’s Winnie’s Great War at Belmont Public Library.
This beautifully told story is a triumphant blending of deep research and magnificent imagination. Infused with Sophie Blackall’s irresistible renderings of an endearing bear, the book is also woven through with entries from Captain Harry Colebourn’s real wartime diaries and contains a selection of artifacts from the Colebourn Family Archives. The result is a one-of-a-kind exploration into the realities of war, the meaning of courage, and the indelible power of friendship, all told through the historic adventures of one extraordinary bear. ”
For more information visit the event website.
Winnie’s Great War is available on:
Friday September 21st – 8:00 PM with Harvard Bookstore at Memorial Church, Cambridge
Leadership In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Saturday September 29th –7pm with Harvard Bookstore at First Church, Cambridge
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
A Spark of Light is available on:
Saturday, September 29nd – 10:30am at Book Ends Bookstore, Winchester
Storytime with Kate Gardner, Lovely Beasts: The Surprising Truth
“Please join us for Saturday Story Time on Septemberr 29th at 10:30am! We are welcoming author Kate Gardner in to read her new picture book Lovely Beasts, a stunning debut picture book that encourages kids to look beyond first impressions by sharing unexpected details about seemingly scary wild animals like gorillas, rhinoceroses, and more.
After all, it’s best not to judge a beast until you understand its full, lovely life.
Kate Gardner says hello to every animal she encounters, regardless of its reputation. Once, she was even voluntarily shocked by an electric eel named Thor. Kate lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with three lovely beasts (one of whom is her husband).”
For more information visit the event website.
Book Lunch Party for I Am Human by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds
I Am Human is available on:
Sunday, September 23rd – 12:30pm at the Eric Carle Museum
Meet Dav Pilkey! Author of Dog Man and Captain Underpants
“Meet Dav Pilkey, author/illustrator of the bestselling Captain Underpantsand Dog Man series! Pilkey will talk about his new book, Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas, do a live drawing, and share fun trivia with the audience. Following the 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm auditorium programs, guests can get books signed by Pilkey and enjoy photo opportunities with Dog Man and Captain Underpants!
UPDATE – 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm auditorium programs with Dav Pilkey are FULL. The wait list is also FULL. Visitors can still meet Dav Pilkey during the book signing times. A limited number of book signing tickets are available first come, first serve when Museum opens at 12:00 pm.”
For more information, visit the event website. A full schedule of Dav Pilkey’s book your is available here.
Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas is available on:
Indiebound Amazon Amazon Kindle
“#1 New York Times bestselling author John Flanagan returns to the world of Ranger’s Apprentice, continuing the story arc starring fan favorites, Will and Maddie (The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning).
After passing her third-year assessment as a ranger’s apprentice, Maddie is called home to Castle Araluen. Forced to keep her ranger training a secret, Maddie feels trapped by the monotony of castle life and longs to find a way out. But there are whisperings of a new threat to the kingdom. The mysterious Red Fox Clan, a group of anarchists all donning fox masks, have threatened Castle Araluen and question Princess Cassandra and Madelyn’s succession to the throne. Will they succeed in unseating Cassandra and Madelyn and take the throne for themselves?”
For more information visit the event website.
The Red Fox Clan is available on:
Shop your local indie bookstore”>Indiebound Amazon Amazon Kindle
John Flanagan’s full book tour information is available here.
Saturday, September 29th at 1:30pm, Eric Carle Museum
Drawing Paddington with R.W. Alley
“R.W. Alley has been illustrating Michael Bond’s Paddington books for over twenty years. Guests of all ages will enjoy watching Alley capture Paddington’s likeness and personality in this lively drawing demonstration, which includes a Q&A with the audience. Paper and drawing supplies will be provided for those who wish to draw along with Alley! Book signing to follow program.”
(R. W. Alley, Illustration for Paddington and the Grand Tour, HarperCollins, 2014. Courtesy of the artist. © R. W. Alley 2018.)
For more information visit the event website.
What bookish events are you planning to attend this month? Reach out! Leave a comment or share with me on Twitter @ABookishHome.
Happy Reading!
Laura Szaro Kopinski
ABookishHome.com
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also participate in the Indiebound Affiliate program.
A Bookish Home Podcast 