Lit Boston: What's Happening in November?
In the November 2021 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.
WBUR CitySpace: Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie
Monday, November 1st at 6:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $5
A Virtual Event by WBUR and Brookline Booksmith
WBUR CEO Margaret Low moderates a conversation with Lisa Napoli, author of Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR; Susan Stamberg, special correspondent for NPR; and Linda Wertheimer, senior national correspondent for NPR. Register here.
Woody Holton presenting Liberty Is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution
Monday, November 1st at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $5
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes Woody Holton—the award-winning author of Abigail Adams and Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution—for a discussion of his latest book, Liberty Is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution. He will be joined in conversation by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed, author of The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family. Register here.
VIRTUAL: Belmont Books Bookclub - Infinite Country
Monday, November 1st at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Award-winning, internationally acclaimed author Patricia Engel, herself a dual citizen and the daughter of Colombian immigrants, gives voice to all five family members as they navigate the particulars of their respective circumstances. Rich with Bogotá urban life, steeped in Andean myth, and tense with the daily reality of the undocumented in America, Infinite Country “is as much an all-American story as it is a global one.” Register here.
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz presenting Not "A Nation of Immigrants:" Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, and a History of Erasure and Exclusion
Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $5
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes renowned historian, writer, and activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz—the acclaimed author of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States—for a discussion of her latest book, Not "A Nation of Immigrants:" Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, and a History of Erasure and Exclusion. Register here.
Garth Nix with Laini Taylor: Terciel and Elinor
Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $19.99 – $28.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Celebrate the release of Terciel & Elinor, a new Old Kingdom prequel, with author Garth Nix, in conversation with Laini Taylor, bestselling author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy! All tickets include a copy of Terciel & Elinor and a signed bookplate. Register here.
Virtual: Rebecca Kim Wells, Briar Girls
Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for the virtual launch of staff-favorite Rebecca Kim Wells' Briar Girls! This top-PSB pick is the highly anticipated standalone novel from the author of our Staff-Pick-Of-The-Year winning Shatter the Sky duology, an epic retelling of a classic fairytale with an unforgettable heroine at its center. Rebecca will be joined on screen by Kate Elliott (Unconquerable Sun)! Register here.
The Writing Process with Nathan Harris in conversation with Jason Brown
Wednesday, November 3rd at 6:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Cambridge Public Library
Join author Nathan Harris virtually as he discusses the writing process. In his debut novel The Sweetness of Water, Harris creates an unforgettable cast of characters, depicting Georgia in the violent crucible of Reconstruction. Register here.
Live at Brookline Booksmith! Britni de la Cretaz & Lyndsey D'Arcangelo
Wednesday, November 3rd at 6:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $37
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
Live and in person at Brookline Booksmith! Celebrate the release of Hail Mary with authors Britni de la Cretaz & Lyndsey D'Arcangelo. Register here.
VIRTUAL: Jeffrey Lewis Launch, in Conversation With Alex Beam
Wednesday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Please join us as we welcome back Jeffrey Lewis for the launch of his latest book, Land of Cockaigne! Jeff will be discussing his book—a novel written as a sharp parable of American society, addressing love, purpose, discrimination, and poverty—with writer and journalist Alex Beam. Register here.
Dorie Greenspan presenting Baking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty & Simple
Wednesday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $5
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes beloved baker and cookbook author Dorie Greenspan for a discussion of her latest, highly anticipated cookbook, Baking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty & Simple. She will be joined in conversation by fellow James Beard Award–winning baker Joanne Chang, the celebrated owner of Flour Bakery and Myers + Chang. Register here.
Rax King with Daniel Lavery: TACKY
Wednesday, November 3rd at 8:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $24.95
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Celebrate the release and celebration of all things Tacky with author Rax King, in conversation with Daniel M. Lavery! This is a free event, but the first 25 book orders will include a signed bookplate. Register here.
VIRTUAL: Stephanie Gangi in Conversation With Caroline Leavitt
Thursday, November 4th at 1:15 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Please join us as Stephanie Gangi discusses her new novel, Carry the Dog, with NY Times bestselling author Caroline Leavitt! Register here.
Sandro Galea presenting The Contagion Next Time
Thursday, November 4th at 5:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $5
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series and the Conservation Law Foundation welcome celebrated epidemiologist Sandro Galea—dean of the Boston University School of Public Health—for a discussion of his latest book, The Contagion Next Time. He will be joined in conversation by Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post and CEO of Thrive Global. Register here.
Virtual Panel: Alison Stine, Jeff VanderMeer, and Joan He
Thursday, November 4th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a virtual panel event featuring top cli-fi authors Alison Stine (Trashlands), Jeff VanderMeer (Hummingbird Salamander), and Joan He (The Ones We're Meant to Find)! Cli-Fi, or climate fiction, is fiction that deals with climate change and global warming, and these authors will talk about their most recent titles, writing in the genre, and more. This event is virtual, free, and open to all, hosted on Crowdcast. Register here.
Jelani Cobb presenting The Matter of Black Lives: Writing from The New Yorker
Thursday, November 4th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $5
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes award-winning New Yorker staff writer and historian Jelani Cobb for a discussion of his latest book, The Matter of Black Lives: Writing from The New Yorker, which collects the magazine's groundbreaking writing on race in America—including work by James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Hilton Als, Zadie Smith, and many others. Register here.
SJ Sindu with Kristen Arnett: Blue-Skinned Gods
Thursday, November 4th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $60
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Author SJ Sindu celebrates the release of her second novel, Blue-Skinned Gods, in conversation with Kristen Arnett. Books purchased at registration include a signed bookplate. Register here.
In-Person* Author Event! Britni de la Cretaz and Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, authors of Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women's Football League
Thursday, November 4th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person by The Silver Unicorn Bookstore
Admit it: You didn't know there was such thing as a National Women's Football League until you read the book title. Now that you know, don't you want to know everything about it? Join The Silver Unicorn Bookstore for this awesome author talk, read the book, and learn more! Register here.
Shea Serrano: Hip-Hop (And Other Things)
Thursday, November 4th at 8:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $27 – $37
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Celebrate the release of Hip-Hop (And Other Things) with author Shea Serrano! Tickets include a copy of the book & entrance to the virtual event. Register here.
Ravi Shankar presenting Correctional: A Memoir
Friday, November 5th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $5
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes celebrated poet and editor Ravi Shankar for a discussion of his memoir Correctional. He will be joined in conversation by Pulitzer Prize–winning poet and essayist Vijay Seshadri. Register here.
Isabel Fargo Cole with Hari Kunzru and Dustin Illingworth
Saturday, November 6th at 2:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $31.95
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Join the Transnational Literature Series at Brookline Booksmith and Third Place Books for a virtual event with translator Isabel Fargo Cole to discuss and celebrate the release of The Interim by Wolfgang Hilbig with writer Hari Kunzru and literary critic Dustin Illingworth. Register here.
Virtual: Louise Erdrich with Ann Patchett, The Sentence [TICKETED]
Thursday, November 9th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $28.99
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award–winning author Louise Erdrich for a virtual celebration of her newest novel, The Sentence - described as "a staggering addition to Erdrich's already impressive body of work" by BookPage. Louise will be joined in conversation by Ann Patchett! Each ticket includes one copy of the book and a single-use login for the event. Register here.
Sandra Lim and Rajiv Mohabir
Tuesday, November 9th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $35.95
An In-Person Event by Brookline Booksmith
Join the Transnational Literature Series at Brookline Booksmith for an in-store event with authors Sandra Lim and Rajiv Mohabir to discuss their work, including their new collections The Curious Thing and Cutlish, among others. Register here.
VIRTUAL: Lynne Reeves Launch, in Conversation With Hank Phillippi Ryan
Tuesday, November 9th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Please join us as we celebrate the launch of Lynne Reeves' latest book, The Dangers of an Ordinary Night, which the author will discuss with bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan! Register here.
Seaport Free Writes
Wednesday, November 10th at 12:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
An In-Person Event by GrubStreet
Join our Seaport Free Writes session on Wednesday, November 10th from 12:30pm-1:15pm. For 45 minutes, 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. Register here.
October Grubby Desk Lunch
Wednesday, November 10 at 12:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by GrubStreet
Looking for some virtual mid-week 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 November 10th from 12:30pm-1:15pm. For 45 minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some cool writing exercises. Register here.
Kate McIntyre with Roxane Gay: Mad Prairie
Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $46
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Celebrate the release of Mad Prairie—winner of the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction—with author Kate McIntyre, in conversation with Roxane Gay! Register here.
K.M. Jackson in conversation with Mary Pauline Lowry
Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join us for a lively discussion with K.M. Jackson about her latest rompy, rom-com How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days! Fellow Keanu fan and author, Mary Pauline Lowry will be in conversation. Register here.
 
Readings from the Room
Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Writers’ Room of Boston
Join the Writers’ Room of Boston to welcome E. Dolores Johnson and Sarah Audsley to our Readings From the Room Series on November 10, 2021 at 7 PM. Register here.
Tana French presenting The Searcher: A Novel
Thursday, November 11th at 5:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $22.50
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes Tana French—bestselling author of In the Woods, The Likeness, and The Witch Elm—for the paperback release of her latest, acclaimed novel, The Searcher. She will be joined in conversation by novelist and screenwriter Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, Dark Places, and Sharp Objects. Register here.
Virtual: Rosemary Mosco with Joan Walsh, A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching
Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a virtual event with Rosemary Mosco, author of A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching: Getting to Know the World's Most Misunderstood Bird: Part field guide, part history, part ornithology primer, and altogether fun. Rosemary will be joined in conversation by Joan Walsh of Mass Audubon! This event is free and open to all, hosted on Crowdcast. Register here.
Picture Book Hour: Tricia Elam Walker & Ekua Holmes
Tuesday, November 16th at 4:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $26.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Join us for a reading of Dream Street with picture book author Tricia Elam Walker and illustrator Ekua Holmes, followed by a Q&A! Register here.
VIRTUAL: Misako Rocks! Launch, in Conversation with Craig Thompson
Tuesday, November 16th at 6:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
From author/illustrator Misako Rocks! comes a story about friendship, new beginnings, and doing what you love, no matter what.The virtual launch of Misako Rocks!'s new graphic novel, Bounce Back, which she will be discussing with author Craig Thompson, will feature Misako leading a manga drawing demonstration. Register here.
Chloe Gong with Aiden Thomas & Roshani Chokshi: Our Violent Ends
Tuesday, November 16th at 8:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $19.99 – $50
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Join us for the US stop on the epic international launch tour of Our Violent Ends with author Chloe Gong, in conversation with Aiden Thomas and Roshani Chokshi! Register here.
VIRTUAL: Alison Jean Lester and Andrew Gurnett U.S. Launch
Wednesday, November 17th at 6:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Please join us and author Alison Jean Lester and photographer Andrew Gurnett for the U.S. launch of their new book, Glide! Register for this Zoom webinar here. Register here.
Literary Conversations: Indigenous
Wednesday, November 17th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by The PEN/Faulkner Foundation
Engage with Louise Erdrich, Kali Fajardo-Anstine, and Tommy Orange, who are among the most highly acclaimed Native writers of our time. Moderated by Margaret Verble, this discussion will explore how their storytelling has been informed by their experiences as Indigenous people. Register here.
VIRTUAL: Monthly Bedtime Storytime
Thursday, November 18th at 6:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Put on your jammies, and join authors Beth Ferry and illustrator Tom Lichtenheld (Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever!), Julie Fortenberry (Darcy's First Sleepover), and author Laurenne Sala and illustrator Zara González Hoang (Mi Casa is My Home) for our monthly bedtime storytime!. Register here.
Virtual: Dylan Thuras with Joshua Foer, Gastro Obscura
Thursday, November 18th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a virtual event celebrating the release of "must-have compendium" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide, with author and cofounder of Atlas Obscura Dylan Thuras! He will be joined in conversation by fellow Atlas Obscura cofounder Joshua Foer. This event is free and open to all, hosted on Crowdcast. Register here.
November Friday Night Writes
Friday, November 19th at 5:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by GrubStreet
Join us for a Friday Night Writes Session on Friday, November 19th, from 5:30pm-6:30pm and log into GrubStreet Remote for some writing! In 60 jam-packed minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some great writing exercises. Register here.
Ann Patchett presenting These Precious Days: Essays
Tuesday, November 23rd at 6:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $5 – $32
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store joins HarperCollins and bookstores across the country to welcome bestselling, award-winning novelist Ann Patchett for a discussion of her new essay collection, These Precious Days. She will be joined in conversation by Scott Simon, host of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday. Register here.
VIRTUAL: Kathryn Hulick in Conversation With Ammi-Joan Paquette
Tuesday, November 30th at 6:30 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Middle-grade technology lovers and parents - please join us for this exciting event with author Kathryn Hulick Gargolinski as she discusses her new book, Welcome to the Future, with author Ammi-Joan Paquette! Register here.
Virtual: Karen M. McManus with Courtney Summers, You’ll Be the Death of Me
Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00 PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a virtual event with bestselling author and master of suspense Karen M. McManus for the release of her highly-anticipated new YA thriller, You'll Be the Death of Me! Karen will be joined on-screen by Courtney Summers (The Project). This event is free and open to all, hosted on Crowdcast. Register here.
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