Lit Boston: What's Happening in August?
In the August 2022 edition of "Best of Boston," we bring you our top Boston lit events this month, most taking place virtually. See below for our list of local literary happenings.
Thomas McNeely in conversation with Rishi Reddi
Monday, August 1st at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store welcomes Thomas McNeely—award-winning author of Ghost Horse—for a discussion of his new collection Pictures of the Shark: Stories. He will be joined in conversation by Rishi Reddi—acclaimed author of the novel Passage West. Learn more.
Katalina Gamarra presents Ben and Beatriz: A Novel
Tuesday, August 2nd at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store welcomes local author and former bookseller Katalina Gamarra for a discussion of her debut novel Ben and Beatriz. Learn more.
Grubbie Debut: EB Bartels with Kelly J. Ford, Good Grief
Tuesday, August 2nd at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by GrubStreet & Porter Square Books
Porter Square Books and GrubStreet are delighted to present the latest installment in the Grubbie Debut event series, featuring EB Bartels. Her debut, Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter, is an unexpected, poignant, and personal account of loving and losing pets, exploring the singular bonds we have with our companion animals, and how to grieve them once they've passed. Kelly J. Ford will join the author in conversation. Learn more.
Mona Awad with Laura Zigman, All's Well
Tuesday, August 2nd at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by Porter Square Books
Porter Square Books is happy to welcome Mona Awad for the paperback release of her novel All's Well! Described as "a big, messy, strange journey about chronic pain, Shakespeare, friendship, mental health, witchcraft, and work," it made the Indie Next list when it was first released in August of 2021. (Rachel Barry, WORD Bookstores). Local author Laura Zigman will be joining the author in conversation. Learn more.
Christopher Amenta: The Cold Hard Light
Tuesday, August 2nd at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $36.99
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
In person at Brookline Booksmith! Celebrate the release of The Cold Hard Light with author Christopher Amenta. Learn more.
Emi Nietfeld presents Acceptance: A Memoir
Wednesday, August 3rd at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store welcomes essayist and Harvard graduate Emi Nietfeld for a discussion of her debut book Acceptance: A Memoir. Learn more.
YA Panel: Ayana Gray, Kalynn Bayron, and Namina Forna!
Wednesday, August 3rd at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $18.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Celebrate three of the best names in YA fantasy! Join us for a virtual conversation with Ayana Gray (Beasts of Ruin), Kalynn Bayron (This Wicked Fate), and Namina Forna (The Merciless Ones)! Learn more.
Picture Book Hour: Pat Zietlow Miller with Jessica Vitalis
Thursday, August 4th at 4:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $28.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Join us for a reading of See You Someday Soon with picture book author Pat Zietlow Miller and fellow author Jessica Vitalis, followed by a Q&A! Learn more.
Friday, August 5th at 2:30pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by GrubStreet
If you’re a GrubStreet Member, you’re invited to join our new Member Writing Hours. The next Member Writing time is on Friday, July 1st, from 2:30-5:00pm. Come hang out in the community lounge, connect with other writers, and enjoy some quiet unstructured writing time in GrubStreet’s beautiful new home. Learn more.
Mohsin Hamid: The Last White Man
Friday, August 5th at 6:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $10 – $35
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
Live and in person with Brookline Booksmith, at Coolidge Corner Theatre! Celebrate the release of The Last White Man with Mohsin Hamid. Learn more.
Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz, Do The Work!
Friday, August 5th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $22.95
An In-Person Event by Porter Square Books
Porter Square Books is delighted to welcome socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell and best-selling author Kate Schatz for an event in partnership with the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research! The authors will be joined in conversation by Dr. Yanique Redwood, executive director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research, for an interactive evening of discussion, activities from the book, and an audience Q&A, followed by a book signing. Learn more.
Picture Book Hour Live! Linda Cutting & Léonie Little-Lex: A Is for Always
Sunday, August 7th at 10:30am (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $25.99
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
Live and in person at Brookline Booksmith! Join us for a special Picture Book Hour with author Linda Cutting and illustrator Léonie Little-Lex, reading A Is for Always. Learn more.
Stand-up Comedy with Porcelain Dalya
Sunday, August 7th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by Porter Square Books
Join us on Sunday August 7th at our Seaport location for a night of stand-up comedy, featuring Porcelain Dalya! Learn more.
Michael Twitty with Toba Spitzer: Koshersoul
Monday, August 8th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $37.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Celebrate the release of Koshersoul with author Michael Twitty, in conversation with Rabbi Toba Spitzer! Learn more.
Belmont Books Bookclub - Afterparties
Monday, August 8th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Our book club meets once a month on Mondays from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Right now, all meetings are held on Zoom. All are welcome for casual discussions of fiction and nonfiction books. Occasionally, a meeting will feature a visit from a local author whose book we are reading. Please email [email protected] to register. Learn more.
Colson Whitehead with Adam Serwer: Harlem Shuffle Paperback Launch!
Tuesday, August 9th at 8:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $17 – $26
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
This virtual event will be hosted by Books & Books/Miami Book Fair + indie bookstore partners, including Brookline Booksmith. Celebrate the paperback release of Harlem Shuffle with author Colson Whitehead, in conversation with Adam Serwer! Learn more.
Wednesday, August 10th at 12:30pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by GrubStreet
Looking for some virtual midweek writing community? Or do you have a little time during your lunch break for a chat and guided writing? Join our FREE Grubby Desk Lunch Series live via easy to use video conferencing. Join us on Wednesday, July 13th, from 12:30pm-1:15pm. For 45 minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some cool writing exercises. Learn more.
Joanna Schaffhausen: Long Gone
Wednesday, August 10th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $37
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
In person at Brookline Booksmith! Celebrate the release of Long Gone with author Joanna Schaffhausen. Learn more.
Dan Moren with Zac Topping, The Nova Incident
Thursday, August 11th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by Porter Square Books
Porter Square Books is happy to welcome Dan Moren for the release of the third novel in his Galactic Cold War series, The Nova Incident! "If you're looking for Mission: Impossible in space, look no further," says the creator of Atomic Blonde, Antony Johnston. Author Zac Topping will join him in conversation! Learn more.
Kayla Maiuri with Hanna Halperin
Thursday, August 11th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $35
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
In person at Brookline Booksmith! Celebrate the release of Mother in the Dark with author Kayla Maiuri, in conversation with Hanna Halperin. Learn more.
Friday, August 12th at 2:30pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by GrubStreet
If you’re a GrubStreet Member, you’re invited to join our new Member Writing Hours. The next Member Writing time is on Friday, July 1st, from 2:30-5:00pm. Come hang out in the community lounge, connect with other writers, and enjoy some quiet unstructured writing time in GrubStreet’s beautiful new home. Learn more.
Anthony Marra with Christopher Castellani, Mercury Pictures Presents
Thursday, August 15th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $5
An In-Person Event by Porter Square Books
Porter Square Books is happy to welcome Anthony Marra for the release of his novel, Mercury Pictures Presents! Named one of the most anticipated books of 2022 by BookPage, Mercury Pictures Presents is "The epic tale of a brilliant woman who must reinvent herself to survive, moving from Mussolini’s Italy to 1940s Los Angeles—a timeless story of love, deceit, and sacrifice from the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena." Joining him in conversation will be Christopher Castellani, author and artistic director of GrubStreet. Learn more.
The Public Library of Brookline: Ryka Aoki
Thursday, August 15th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Join us for a virtual talk and Q&A with Ryka Aoki in celebration of the paperback release of her novel, Light from Uncommon Stars! Learn more.
Phong Nguyen with William Pierce: Bronze Drum
Friday, August 16th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $26.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Celebrate the release of Bronze Drum with author Phong Nguyen, in conversation with William Pierce! Learn more.
Sidik Fofana presents Stories from the Tenants Downstairs
Wednesday, August 17th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes author and public school teacher Sidik Fofana for a discussion of his debut collection Stories from the Tenants Downstairs. Learn more.
Fall 2022 Virtual Open House & Info Session
Thursday, August 18th at 5:30pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by GrubStreet
Love to write but don't have anywhere to get feedback on your work? Want to meet fellow writers and work under the guidance of published authors? GrubStreet is here to help! On Thursday, August 18th from 5:30pm-6:30pm, we will be hosting a Virtual Open House to talk about upcoming Fall 2022 classes, GrubStreet's membership program, GrubStreet's Boston Writers of Color Group, and more! Learn more.
Dr. Psyche Williams-Forson presents Eating While Black: Food Shaming and Race in America
Thursday, August 18th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes Dr. Psyche Williams-Forson—Professor and Chair of the Department of American Studies at the University of Maryland College Park—for a discussion of her new book Eating While Black: Food Shaming and Race in America. Learn more.
Ryan La Sala with Sara Farizan
Friday, August 19th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $27.99
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
In person at Brookline Booksmith! Celebrate the release of The Honeys with author Ryan La Sala, in conversation with Sara Farizan. Learn more.
Brenda Lozano and Heather Cleary
Saturday, August 20th at 1:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0 – $35
An Online Event by Brookline Booksmith
Join the Transnational Literature Series at Brookline Booksmith, Community Bookstore, and Third Place Books for a virtual event with author Brenda Lozano and translator Heather Cleary to discuss and celebrate the release of Witches. Learn more.
Wednesday, August 24th at 6:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $29.75
An In-Person Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store welcomes R.F. Kuang—author of the award-winning fantasy series The Poppy War—for a discussion of her highly anticipated book Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution. She will be joined in conversation by Lily Rugo—one of the assistant managers at Harvard Book Store and the co-founder of the Boston ABG: Asian Book Group. Learn more.
An Evening with New England Author Katherine Sherbrooke
Wednesday, August 24th at 6:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $32
An In-Person Event by Hygge House Books
Join us for an intimate evening with author Katherine Sherbrooke: wine tasting, author reading, and book signing of Leaving Coy's Hill. Learn more.
Alex Aster with Dustin Thao: Lightlark
Wednesday, August 24th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $20 – $39
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
In person at Brookline Booksmith! Celebrate the release of Lightlark with author Alex Aster, in conversation with Dustin Thao. Learn more.
Friday, August 26th at 5:30pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by GrubStreet
Looking to add some creativity to your day? Want to meet other local writers and get started on some new writing? Join our Seaport Free Writes session on Friday, July 22nd, from 5:30pm-6:30pm. You’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some fresh writing exercises. Best of all, you’ll leave with some new ideas to ponder for the rest of your day and beyond. Please note that you must register ahead of time and provide proof of vaccination to attend this session. Learn more.
Karin Slaughter with Hank Phillippi Ryan
Friday, August 26th at 6:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $30 – $37.99
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
Live and in person with Brookline Booksmith, at Coolidge Corner Theatre! Celebrate the release of Girl, Forgotten with Karin Slaughter, in conversation with Hank Phillippi Ryan. Learn more.
Amy Maricle, Draw Yourself Calm
Friday, August 26th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $30
An In-Person Event by An Unlikely Story
Amy Maricle will introduce the idea of slow drawing and mindfulness, and do a short reading, followed by a slow drawing and signing. Learn more.
Random House Studio Sessions: Taylor Jenkins Reid presents CARRIE SOTO
Monday, August 29th at 8:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $29.75
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Join Random House and Brookline Booksmith for an evening with bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid. Learn more.
Karen McManus with Hank Phillippi Ryan, Nothing More to Tell
Tuesday, August 30th at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by Porter Square Books
Porter Square Books is excited to host the launch party for Karen McManus's latest young adult mystery novel, Nothing More to Tell! The author will be joined in conversation by award-winning thriller author Hank Phillippi Ryan to discuss what was called in a starred Kirkus Review, "An edge-of-your-seat page-turner; the strongest yet from a master of the genre." Learn more.
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