Boston Author Event Roundup: October Edition

Are you looking for a bookish event to add to your calendar?

Here is just a sampling of some of the wonderful author events coming to the Boston area this month.

Be sure to check your local library and bookstore’s event calendar to see what author events are coming to your community.

Author events are also a great way to help build bookish enthusiasm in your family and inspire young readers. You can take your little one to a kidlit author event or bring them along while you hear from one of your favorite authors. Bonus: they’ll see you modeling an active reading life!

Tuesday, October 2nd – 6pm at Brattle Theatre, Cambridge: sponsored by Harvard Bookstore

Steven Johnson, Farsighted

“Harvard Book Store welcomes bestselling author STEVEN JOHNSON—host and co-creator of How We Got to Now—for a discussion of his latest book, Farsighted: How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most.”

You can find more information about this ticketed event here.

Farsighted: Indiebound Amazon

Thursday, October 4th – 6pm at Belmont Books

Mitali Perkins, You Bring The Distant Near

“Join us as Mitali Perkins discusses her novel, You Bring the Distant Near. A 2017 National Book Award Longlist Title with six starred reviews, A School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2017, A New York City Public Librariy’s Notable 50 Best Books for Teens South Asia Book Award Winner. This elegant young adult novel captures the immigrant experience for one Indian-American family with humor and heart. Told in alternating teen voices across three generations, You Bring the Distant Near explores sisterhood, first loves, friendship, and the inheritance of culture–for better or worse. From a grandmother worried that her children are losing their Indian identity to a daughter wrapped up in a forbidden biracial love affair to a granddaughter social-activist fighting to preserve Bengali tigers, award-winning author Mitali Perkins weaves together the threads of a family growing into an American identity. Here is a sweeping story of five women at once intimately relatable and yet entirely new.”

You can find more information about the event here.

You Bring the Distant Near is available on Indiebound and Amazon.

Thursday, October 4th – 7pm at Wellesley Bookstore

Kerri Maher, The Kennedy Debutante

“Book Launch event for The Kennedy Debutante: “A captivating novel following the exploits of Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, the forgotten and rebellious daughter of one of America’s greatest political dynasties: London, 1938. The effervescent “It girl” of London society since her father was named the ambassador, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy moves in rarified circles, rubbing satin-covered elbows with some of the 20th century’s most powerful figures. Eager to escape the watchful eye of her strict mother, Rose, the antics of her older brothers, Jack and Joe, and the erratic behavior of her sister Rosemary, Kick is ready to strike out on her own and is soon swept off her feet by Billy Hartington, the future Duke of Devonshire. But their love is forbidden, as Kick’s devout Catholic family and Billy’s staunchly Protestant one would never approve their match. When war breaks like a tidal wave across her world, Billy is ripped from her arms as the Kennedys are forced to return to the States. Kick gets work as a journalist and joins the Red Cross to get back to England, where she will have to decide where her true loyalties lie—with family or with love . . .”

You can find more information about the event here.

The Kennedy Debutante: Indiebound Amazon

Sunday, October 7th – 2pm at Silver Unicorn Books, Acton

Ann Braden, The Benefits of Being An Octopus

“Ann is a local author who lives in southern Vermont. In addition to being an author and a former teacher, Ann is an organizer for the Kids Need Mentors program, co-hosts her own podcast, and has created other ventures as well. Basically, Ann is always up to something! What she’s been up to in the publishing world is her debut novel, The Benefits of Being an Octopus, will be released on Sept. 4. It has already received a starred review from School Library Journal, which called it “heartbreaking” and “beautifully written.”The novel is geared toward middle-grade readers, and follows seventh-grader Zoey, who is so busy taking care of her younger siblings that she doesn’t have time for boys or even her homework. The book explores the cultural divides around class and the gun debate through the eyes of one girl, living on the edges of society, trying to find her way forward. Join us as we celebrate this layered, original debut novel!”

You can find more information about the event here.

The Benefits of Being An Octopus is available on Indiebound and Amazon.

Wednesday, October 10th – 7pm at Belmont Books

Doug Burgess, Fogland Point in conversation with

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Trust Me

“Join us for a conversation between Doug Burgess, author of Fogland Point, and Hank Phillippi Ryan, author of Trust Me. (Fogland Point): David Hazard wanted nothing more than to forget his renegade family and the foggy New England village “on the wrong side” of Narragansett Bay where he grew up. When sudden tragedy brings him back to Little Compton to care for his grandmother during her struggle with dementia, he discovers her fragile memories may hold the key to a bizarre mystery half a century old – and perhaps to the sudden and brutal murder right next door.Once Chief of Police Billy Dyer names her as a witness, Grandma Maggie’s recollections become vital. But can they be trusted, especially in a town where everyone has a secret, including David himself?The investigation stalls. Then eccentric millionaire Marcus Rhinegold’s yacht disappears into the fog, bodies begin to wash ashore, and Maggie’s stories come vividly to life, setting off a chain of events both horrifying and hauntingly familiar. Puritans, gun-runners, Mafiosi, and a rogues’ gallery from past and present converge in the mists of the bay, challenging Billy with layers of deception. On Christmas Eve, he enlists David in a daring move to uncover the many truths surrounding Fogland Point. Trust Me is the chilling standalone novel of psychological suspense and manipulation that award-winning author and renowned investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan was born to write. CAN YOU SPOT THE LIAR? An accused killer insists she’s innocent of a heinous murder. A grieving journalist surfaces from the wreckage of her shattered life.Their unlikely alliance leads to a dangerous cat and mouse game that will leave you breathless. Who can you trust when you can’t trust yourself?”

You can find more information about the event here.

Look for the books on Amazon and Indiebound.

Fogland Point: Indiebound Amazon

Trust Me: Indiebound Amazon

Wednesday, October 10th – 7pm at An Unlikely Story, Plainville

Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson,

Carmela Full of Wishes

“An Unlikely Story is honored to welcome Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian Robinson, the creators of the #1 New York Times bestseller LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET. Matt and Christian will present their highly anticipated new book CARMELA FULL OF WISHES—a heartfelt sibling story that explores what hope looks like in a vibrant migrant community, and illuminates the experience of mixed-status families. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and a signing; books will be available for purchase at the event.”

You can find more information about the event here.

Carmela Full of Wishes: Indiebound Amazon

Saturday, October 13th

Boston Book Festival

“Celebrating the power of words to stimulate, agitate, unite, delight,
and inspire, Boston Book Festival presents year-round events
culminating in an annual festival that promotes a culture of reading
and ideas and enhances the vibrancy of our city.”

The Boston Book Festival is an event I look forward to every year. 2018 presenters include a wide range of stellar authors including Kate DiCamillo, Tayari Jones, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jonathan Auxier, Louise Miller, Fatima Farheen Mirza, and more.

For more information you can visit the event website.

On October 11th, I will also be sharing an interview with Boston Book Festival deputy director Norah Piehl on the A Bookish Home podcast.

Saturday, October 13th – 10am at the Eric Carle Museum, Amherst

Book Party with Mo Willems

This would be well worth the drive to Amherst to get to see the author of Elephant and Piggie and the Pigeon books in person!

“GO NUTS!” at The Carle as we celebrate the new book in Mo Willems’ beginning-reader series, Unlimited Squirrels: I Lost My Tooth! In I Lost My Tooth!, meet an ensemble cast of squirrels and learn fun jokes and nutty facts. Listen to Mo as he reads from his new book, watch films, and create “Squirrel-scapes” in the Art Studio.”

You can find more information about the event here.

I Lost My Tooth: Indiebound Amazon

Sunday, October 14th – 3pm at Trinitarian Congregational Church, sponsored by Concord Bookshop

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Leadership in Turbulent Times

“Please join us on Sunday, October 14 at 3pm, when Doris Kearns Goodwin presents her new work, Leadership: In Turbulent Times. The event will be held at Trinitarian Congregational Church (54 Walden Street) in Concord. Doors open at 2:15 This is a free ticketed event. Tickets will be distributed beginning at noon on Sunday, October 14, at the back desk of the Concord Bookshop(near Young Readers); limit two tickets per person. We do expect the event venue to fill, and will announce on social media and signage on the Bookshop doors when all tickets have been distributed. Every person attending the speaker program must have an admission ticket, which will also be used to enter the book-signing line following Ms. Goodwin’s talk.

You can find more information about the event here.

Leadership: In Turbulent Times is available on Indiebound and Amazon.

Monday, October 15th – 7pm at Brookline Booksmith

Young Adult Panel

“A night of YA fun with with authors Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Cordova, Katie Cotugno, Sara Farizan and Julie Murphy.”

You can find more information about the event here.

The Belles: Indiebound Amazon

Bruja Born: Indiebound Amazon

9 Days & 9 Nights: Indiebound Amazon

Here to Stay: Indiebound Amazon

Puddin’: Indiebound Amazon

Tuesday, October 16th – 7pm at An Unlikely Story, Plainville

Jarrett Krosoczka, Hey, Kiddo

“Jarrett Krosoczka returns to An Unlikely Story for an event hosted by our owner, Jeff Kinney, to introduce Jarrett’s stunning new YA graphic memoir, HEY, KIDDO. It’s a bittersweet story that tackles the subject of learning to love your family during the not-so-great moments of their life. It’s raw, honest, and beautiful, and a MUST read for teens and adults alike. Heartbreaking and life affirming, this is timely and a perfect book for book groups.”

You can find more information about the event here.

Hey, Kiddo: Indiebound Amazon

Thursday, October 18th – 6pm at Congregation Kehillath-Israel, sponsored by Brookline Booksmith

Barbara Kingsolver, Unsheltered

“This event will take place at Congregation Kehillath Israel. Buy tickets HERE!The New York Times bestselling author of Flight Behavior, The Lacuna, and The Poisonwood Bible and recipient of numerous literary awards—including the National Humanities Medal, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the Orange Prize—returns with a timely novel that interweaves past and present to explore the human capacity for resiliency and compassion in times of great upheaval. Brilliantly executed and compulsively readable, Unsheltered is the story of two families, in two centuries, who live at the corner of Sixth and Plum, as they navigate the challenges of surviving a world in the throes of major cultural shifts. In this mesmerizing story told in alternating chapters, Willa and Thatcher come to realize that though the future is uncertain, even unnerving, shelter can be found in the bonds of kindred—whether family or friends—and in the strength of the human spirit.”

You can find more information about the event here.

Unsheltered: Indiebound Amazon

Saturday, October 20th – 11am at Wellesley Bookstore

Rob Buyea , The Perfect Secret

9781524764593

“From the beloved author of Because of Mr. Terupt comes the sequel to The Perfect Score, about a lovable group of students at Lake View Middle School and the rewards and challenges of seventh grade: These students are in for a year of secrets, discoveries, and kid power! GAVIN finally joins the football team—a dream come true!—but Coach Holmes refuses to play him for reasons that also threaten to tear Gavin’s family apart. When RANDI attends an elite gymnastics camp, she uncovers a startling family connection. SCOTT starts researching an article for the school newspaper and stumbles right into a hornet’s nest of lies. With his loser older brother, Brian, out of the house, TREVOR’s life is loads better—until he realizes that only he can save Brian from getting into deep trouble. NATALIE’s top goals: (1) find out why Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Magenta no longer speak to each other—a mission shared by all the kids—and (2) teach a certain someone an important life skill without anyone knowing. It’s tough keeping secrets. And tougher still to deal with the fallout when secrets spill out.

You can find more information about the event here.

The Perfect Secret: Indiebound Amazon

Monday, October 22nd – 7pm at Porter Square Books

Nicole Chung, All You Can Ever Know

“Debut memoirist Nicole Chung discusses her book with Celeste Ng, author of Little Fires Everywhere…What does it mean to lose your roots–within your culture, within your family–and what happens when you find them? Nicole Chung was born severely premature, placed for adoption by her Korean parents, and raised by a white family in a sheltered Oregon town. From childhood, she heard the story of her adoption as a comforting, prepackaged myth. She believed that her biological parents had made the ultimate sacrifice in the hope of giving her a better life, that forever feeling slightly out of place was her fate as a transracial adoptee. But as Nicole grew up–facing prejudice her adoptive family couldn’t see, finding her identity as an Asian American and as a writer, becoming ever more curious about where she came from–she wondered if the story she’d been told was the whole truth. With the same warmth, candor, and startling insight that has made her a beloved voice, Chung tells of her search for the people who gave her up, which coincided with the birth of her own child. All You Can Ever Know is a profound, moving chronicle of surprising connections and the repercussions of unearthing painful family secrets–vital reading for anyone who has ever struggled to figure out where they belong. Nicole Chung has written for The New York Times, GQ, Longreads, BuzzFeed, Hazlitt, and Shondaland, among other publications. She is Catapult magazine’s editor in chief and the former managing editor of The Toast.

You can find more information about the event here.

All You Can Ever Know is available on Indiebound and Amazon.

Sunday, October 21st – 1pm at the Eric Carle Museum

Our Voice: Gallery Talk with Ekua Holmes, Gordon C. James, and Jerry Pinkney

You can find more information about the event here.

Thursday, October 25th – 6pm at Congregation Kehillath-Israel, sponsored by Brookline Booksmith

Jason Reynolds, Lu

“This event will take place at Congregation Kehillath-Israel. Purchase tickets HERE.Celebrated children’s author Jason Reynolds discusses Lu, the fourth and final book in the Track series. Lu was born to be cocaptain of the Defenders. Well, actually, he was born albino, but that’s got nothing to do with being a track star. Lu has swagger, plus the talent to back it up, and with all that—not to mention the gold chains and diamond earrings—no one’s gonna outshine him. Lu knows he can lead Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and the team to victory at the championships, but it might not be as easy as it seems. Suddenly, there are hurdles in Lu’s way—literally and not-so-literally—and Lu needs to figure out, fast, what winning the gold really means. Starting with National Book Award finalist Ghost, the Track series follows the four rookie members of a middle school track team.

You can find more information about the event here.

Lu: Indiebound Amazon

Friday, October 26th at 7:30pm at Concord Library

Concord Festival of Authors: John Matteson, presented by Orchard House

“In honor of the Little Women Sesquicentennial Celebration, Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House presents Pulitzer Prize winner Prof. John T. Matteson. In addition to discussing the enduring nature of Little Women, Professor Matteson will offer insights into and an advance preview of his forthcoming book,which is primarily focused on the Battle of Fredericksburg. This event will take place on Friday, October 26th at 7:30 pm at the Concord Free Public Library.”

You can find more information about this event here.

Monday, October 29th – 6pm at the Boston Public Library, Copley

Dr. Crystal Fleming, How to Be Less Stupid About Race

“Combining no-holds-barred social critique, humorous personal anecdotes, and analysis of the latest interdisciplinary scholarship on systemic racism, sociologist Crystal M. Fleming provides a fresh, accessible, and irreverent take on everything that’s wrong with our “national conversation about race.” Drawing upon critical race theory, as well as her own experiences as a queer black millennial college professor and researcher, Fleming unveils how systemic racism exposes us all to racial ignorance–and provides a road map for transforming our knowledge into concrete social change. How to Be Less Stupid About Race is a call to action for everyone who wants to challenge white supremacy and intersectional oppression.”