Authors sharing their memoirs, children’s books, art volumes, novels, poetry (and more!) are appearing in talks across the Bay Area. To submit an event to the calendar, email books@baycitynews.com.
Feb. 2
Brian Barth: The award-winning Bay Area journalist speaks about “Front Street: Resistance and Rebirth in the Tent Cities of Techlandia,” his examination of Silicon Valley’s surprising homeless encampments, with Kevin Fagan, author of 2025’s “The Lost and the Found: A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family and Second Chances.” [6 p.m., Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
Feb. 2
George Saunders: The Booker Prize-winning author of “Lincoln in the Bardo” appears in conversation with Vendela Vida to promote his new book “Vigil,” which takes place at the bedside of an oil company CEO at the end of his life; $34 tickets include a copy of the book. [7 p.m., Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore St., San Francisco]
Feb. 3
Patricia Albers: The author and art historian shares “Everything Is Photograph: A Life of André Kertész” in a presentation including a slideshow of the prolific Hungarian photographer’s work and a conversation with curator Renny Pritikin. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
Feb. 3
Ralph Remington: The director of cultural affairs of the San Francisco Arts Commission —a community builder, theater director, essayist, actor and writer — launches “Penetrating Whiteness: How White Supremacy Built America (Navigating The Landscape Of Racism, Sexism, And America’s Cultural Divide)” in conversation with Bay Area arts management consultant Ted Russell. [7 p.m., City Lights Booksellers, 261 Columbus Ave., San Francisco]
Feb. 4
Alia Hanna Habib: The literary agent who represents MacArthur Fellows, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, National Book Award finalists and New York Times bestselling authors speaks about her book “Take It From Me: An Agent’s Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch” with writer-editor Maia Ipp. [7 p.m., Green Apple Books, 1231 Ninth Ave., San Francisco]
Feb. 5
Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis: Oakland author Barnett and Oregon picture book illustrator Ellis, creators of an acclaimed version of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff,” share their new retelling of “Rumpelstiltskin,” the fairy tale about a mysterious man who spins straw into gold in exchange for a woman’s firstborn child. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
Feb. 5
Kenny Stills: The former NFL wide receiver and activist shares his new memoir, called “Still Growing, Still Learning, Still Me! A Journey of Protest, Healing, and Personal Transformation,” [7:30 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
Feb. 6
Mychal Threets: The librarian and host of Solano County library’s relaunched Reading Rainbow, shares his new children’s book, “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy”; registration requested. [3 p.m., Dixon Library, 239 N. First St., Dixon]
Feb. 6
Nick Offerman: The actor, author, humorist and crafter shares “Little Woodchucks: Offerman Woodshop’s Guide to Tools and Tomfoolery,” his illustrated woodworking guide with projects for the whole family co-authored by Lee Buchanan, in a ticketed ($47-$59) presentation called “an evening of comedy with woodworking and bookish mirth.” [7:30 p.m., Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa]
Feb. 7
Paula McLain, Rebecca Plotnick: McLain, author of the bestselling “The Paris Wife,” is promoting her new title “Skylark,” a France-set novel chronicling journeys of defiance in the 17th and 20th centuries, in a ticketed ($35 includes a copy of the book and snacks) appearance with Everyday Parisian blogger Plotnick, offering her gift book “Every Day Paris” for purchase. [10 a.m., Little Saint, 25 North St., Healdsburg]
Feb. 7
Matt Fogelson: The Oakland writer, a former lawyer and fan of classic rock music, discusses “Restrung: Fatherhood in a Different Key,” a coming-of-age story set in 1980s New York and detailing of his life as a father today, described as a “Nick Hornby-meets-Cheryl Strayed debut memoir.” [11 a.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Feb. 7
Alan Collenette and Patricia Cannon: The local writers share their books: Collenette’s “Love Brain & Other Minefields” combines award-winning poetry and short stories “where women are revered, and love is both a sanctuary and a minefield for unsuspecting men”; Cannon’s “Wild Heart” is a collection of poetry accompanied by photos. [1 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Feb. 7
Dr. Bob Larsen: The psychiatrist and former professor at University of California, San Francisco medical school speaks about “America’s Most Dangerous Jobs: More Tales from a Working Man’s Shrink,” his nonfiction sequel to “Wounded Workers,” in which shares stories about the 25 occupations in the U.S. that have the highest fatality and serious injury rates. [3 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco]
Feb. 7
Michael Schwab: The Marin County artist famed for his work with cultural institutions, national parks and performing arts organizations shares “Creating the Hero: A Defining Monograph on Iconic Poster Design.” [4 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Feb. 10
Jasmin Iolani Hakes: The Southern California writer and award-winning author of “Hula” is on tour promoting “The Pokahu,” an epic novel combining Hawaiian history, family legacy and mystical power; she appears in conversation with author and writing coach Laurel Hilton. [6 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Feb. 11
Tomas Moniz: The winner of the 2025 Golden Poppy Award for “All Friends Are Necessary” discusses the novel, which tells the story of a 30-something Latinx bisexual man who’s putting his life back together after his baby is stillborn and his marriage is falling apart. [2:30 p.m., LeFevre Theatre, St. Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga]
Feb. 11
Artel Great: The cinema and media scholar, Independent Spirit Award-nominated filmmaker and cultural critic discusses his book “The Black Pack: Comedy, Race, and Resistance” in which he details the influences of comedy pioneers Eddie Murphy, Paul Mooney, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend and Arsenio Hall. [5:30 p.m., Koret Auditorium, SF Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco]
Feb. 11
Haley Hutchinson: The San Francisco poet, and editor in chief of Write Bloody Publishing, releases her first collection, “Her Womanhood of Mine,” in an event with poet Michelle Latvala, author of “Between Latitudes.” [7 p.m., Green Apple Books, 1231 Ninth Ave., San Francisco]
Feb. 12
Dandy Noel: The California author and filmmaker reveals the real-life inspiration behind her novel, “Luna Court,” a coming-of-age story set in the gritty 1990s SoCal music scene. [6 p.m., Napa Library, 580 Coombs St., Napa]
Feb. 12
Jasmin Iolani Hakes: The Southern California writer and award-winning author of “Hula” discusses “The Pokahu,” her new epic novel set in Hawaii and California detailing a family and its relationship to an ancient stone that’s passed down through generations with Susan Kiyo Ito, author of “I Would Meet You Anywhere.” [7 p.m., City Lights Booksellers, 261 Columbus Ave., San Francisco]
Feb. 13
It’s A Mystery-Five Authors on the Perfect Whodunit: Cara Black, M.M. Chouinard, Carmela Dutra, Laurie R. King and Gigi Pandian, masters of mystery fiction, talk about their latest titles; where they get their inspiration; how they decide which clues to divulge and which to keep hidden until readers turn to the last page. [6 p.m., Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
Feb. 13
Jasmin Iolani Hakes: The award-winning author of “Hula” shares her new novel “The Pokahu,” a family saga in Hawaii and California about three generations of women who must protect a mysterious ancient stone. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 775 Village Court, Santa Rosa]
Feb. 14
Alexandra M. Nickliss: The history instructor at City College of San Francisco speaks about “Phoebe Apperson Hearst: A Life in Power and Politics,” the first biography of the financial manager, businesswoman, reformer and philanthropist, who was among the wealthiest, most influential women in the Bay Area. [11 a.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Feb. 17
Mychal Threets: The librarian hosts a talk celebrating his new children’s book “I’m So Happy You’re Here” with guests Jeff Kinney, creator of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series; Kaylani Juanita, illustrator and author of “Magnificent Homespun Brown”; and Joanna Ho, author of “Eyes That Kiss in the Corners”; tickets may be picked up at any Solano County library. [10 a.m., Fairfield Civic Center Library, 1150 Kentucky St., Fairfield]
Feb. 18
Gioia Woods: The professor of humanities at Northern Arizona University shares “City Lights: Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the Biography of a Bookstore,” her history of the San Francisco institution that started with a handshake between poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and magazine editor Peter Martin, and became home of the Beats, the Pocket Poets series and stalwart promoter of free speech, global comparative literature and human rights. [7 p.m., City Lights Booksellers, 261 Columbus Ave., San Francisco]
Feb. 20
Katie Kitamura: The author of the Booker Prize-shortlisted novel “Audition” and acclaimed novel “Intimacies,” appears in conversation with bestselling novelist Karen Russell, author of “Swamplandia!” [4 p.m., Koret Auditorium, SF Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco]
Feb. 20
Eirinie Carson: The Petaluma author of the acclaimed memoir “The Dead Are God” launches her debut novel — a maternal Gothic thriller called “Bloodfire, Baby” about a woman whose postpartum reality is overtaken by an ominous figure — in conversation with Savala Nolan, an attorney, scholar and author of “Don’t Let It Get You Down: Essays on Race, Gender and the Body.” [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
Feb. 20
Eric Maisel: The East Bay retired psychotherapist, life coach, Psychology Today columnist and author discusses his new volume “Brave New Mind: The Art of Serene Readiness” with podcaster, coach and mindfulness expert Juliana Bruno. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 138 N Main St., Sebastopol]
Feb. 21
Mark Greenside: The part-time Alameda resident discusses “I Am Finally, Finally French: My Accidental Life in Brittany,” his humorous memoir about his life in rural France after her bought a 120-year-old farmhouse in a village of 500 people, with poet and memorist Kim Addonizio. [1 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Feb. 21
Taku Kondo: The popular YouTuber and former sushi chef, a San Francisco resident, shares information from “Coastal Harvest: Fish – Forage – Feast: A Cookbook” in which he explains how to catch fish, identify and harvest mushrooms and make delicious dishes using wild ingredients. [1:30 p.m., Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas St., Half Moon Bay]
Feb. 21
Daisy Hernández: The Northwestern University scholar and award-winning author appears in conversation with journalist Angie Coiro in a ticketed ($12-$43) talk about “Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth,” her new volume in which she combines her family history—her mother was from Colombia, her father was a political refugee from Castro’s Cuba—in an examination of what constitutes citizenship. [4 p.m., Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
Feb. 22
Chris Haft: The former reporter who covered the San Francisco Giants for 14 seasons and authored four books on the team shares his 2025 biography “A Giant Among Giants: The Baseball Life of Willie McCovey,” in conversation with Allison McCovey, Willie McCovey’s daughter. [2 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco]
Feb. 22
Kashana Cauley: The author, who has written for television and magazines, speaks about “The Survivalists,” her satirical novel about an attorney whose carefully planned life veers off course when she moves in with her gun-dealing boyfriend and his doomsday-prepping roommates, with poet and writer Audrey T. Williams. [3 p.m., Koret Auditorium, SF Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco]
Feb. 22
Daisy Hernández: The Northwestern University scholar, author of “The Kissing Bug,” the memoir “A Cup of Water Under My Bed” and co-editor of the feminist anthology “Colonize This,” speaks about her timely new title “Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth” in which she uses her family history—her mother was from Colombia, her father was a political refugee from Castro’s Cuba—to examine complications surrounding the concept of citizenship. [5 p.m., Copperfield’s, 1200 Fourth St., San Rafael]
Feb. 22
Jessica Ferri: The founder of the feminist bookshop-imprint Womb House Books speaks about her book “Silent Cities San Francisco: Hidden Histories of the Region’s Cemeteries,” which among other details, explains how America’s first necropolis, the town of Colma, emerged. [1 p.m., Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley]
Feb. 22
Jon Meacham: The Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer speaks about his new title, “American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: An Anthology ” in which he explores inherent, perennial tensions throughout U.S. history, at a ticketed ($48 includes book) talk. [7 p.m., Angelico Hall, Dominican University of California, 20 Olive Ave., San Rafael]
Feb. 24
Caroline Paul: The author of eight books of fiction and non-fiction, a longtime member of San Francisco’s Writers Grotto, launches her new title “Why Fly: Seeking Awe, Healing, and Our True Selves in the Sky,” her memoir and exploration of art of aeronautics, in an appearance with podcaster Courtney Martin. [7 p.m., Clio’s, 353 Grand Ave., Oakland]
Feb. 24
Rachel Rueckert: At an event including awards for guests who attend in costume, the author, a part-time Berkeley resident, discusses “The Determined,” her historical novel based on the experiences of 18th century female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read who subverted gender roles of their time. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
Feb. 25
R.O. Kwon: The multi-award-winning author of the provocative best-selling novels “Exhibit” (2025) and “The Incendiaries” (2018) reads her fiction and appears in an onstage conversation presented by the Creative Writing Visiting Writers Series. [2:30 p.m., LeFevre Theatre, St. Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga]
Feb. 26
Paul Moser: The retired winemaker and local author discusses “Napa Lowdown: Battle at the Border,” a spoof of Napa Valley, he says, that’s “couched in a tongue-in-cheek detective noir.” [6 p.m., Napa Library, 580 Coombs St., Napa]
Feb. 26
Oliver James: The California personal trainer, motivational speaker, literacy activist and influencer speaks about his memoir “Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok”— in which he shares how he went from barely being able to read a restaurant menu to nearing a goal of finishing 100 books in a year — with PBS resident librarian Mychal Threets. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
Feb. 26
David Oppenheimer: The author, a clinical professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley who was dubbed “America’s diversity detective” by the New Yorker, speaks about his new book “The Diversity Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea,” a volumed examining the 200-year history of diversity in education, commerce and science. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
Feb. 26
Caroline Paul: The author of eight fiction and nonfiction books, and longtime member of San Francisco’s Writers Grotto, speaks about her new title “Why Fly: Seeking Awe, Healing, and Our True Selves in the Sky,” a memoir and exploration of art of aeronautics, in a talk with journalist and author Liz Weil. [7 p.m., Bookshop West Portal, 80 W. Portal Ave., San Francisco]
Feb. 28
Lynne Kaufman: The novelist, short story writer and award-winning playwright discusses her fifth novel “The Oxford Affair,” a mystery-romance set in England, with Nina Schuyler, author of the story collection “In This Ravishing World.” [11 a.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]