Celebrities, scholars and first-time novelists are among those appearing in the region this month. Also: The 12th Bay Area Book Festival featuring hundreds of authors is happening in downtown Berkeley on May 29-31. Organizers say it’s the biggest to date. To submit an event to the calendar, email books@baycitynews.com.
May 1
Rebecca Solnit: The prolific author, intellectual and essayist speaks about her newest title “The Beginning Comes After the End,” her analysis of how the huge social, political, scientific and cultural changes over the past seven decades may counteract recent forces seeming to turn back the clock on history. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
May 2
Brandon Jew: The acclaimed San Francisco chef-restaurateur does a cooking demonstration before signing copies of “Mister Jiu’s in Chinatown: Recipes and Stories from the Birthplace of Chinese American Food” in a non-seated, meet-and-greet. [11 a.m., 1 Ferry Building Plaza, San Francisco]
May 3
Gemma Correll: The award-winning English cartoonist and California resident speaks about “Anxietyland,” her graphic memoir debut chronicling her lifelong experience with anxiety and depression. [3 p.m., Books Inc. Marina, 2251 Chestnut St., San Francisco]
May 3
Breeze Harper: The cultural geographer, author and scholar examining how veganism connects to racism and justice, observes the 15th anniversary of “Sistah Vegan,” her anthology of writings by Black women who are vegan, in conversation with theology and ethics scholar Candace Laughinghouse. [3 p.m., Main Library, African American Center, third floor, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco]
May 3
TJ Klune: The bestselling author of “The House in the Cerulean Sea” discusses his new standalone novel “We Burned So Bright,” about an elder gay couple on an end-of-the-world road-trip, in a ticketed ($29-$35 includes book) talk presented by Copperfield’s. [2 p.m., Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol]
May 4
David Archuleta: The runner-up on the seventh season of “American Idol” at age 17 in 2008, promotes his memoir “Devout,” which describes his journey from being a closeted Mormon teen to global pop star to openly queer man at a ticketed ($33 includes book), non-seated event. [6 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco]
May 4
Tamara Helfer: The East Bay Yiddish translator, appearing with fellow translator Benjamin Lerman, discusses her recent work on “The Winding Road: My Childhood Years” by Rokhl Feygenberg, a coming-of age-story written by a teenage girl who grew up in a small Belarusian shtetl in the 1890s. [6:30 p.m., Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Ave., Pleasant Hill]
May 5
Mary Cain: The Stanford Medical School student, a professional runner who at 17 was the youngest American participating in the track and field World Championships in 2013, speaks about “This Is Not About Running,” her memoir detailing her dramatic life as an elite athlete and an indictment of the abusive world of youth sports; her conversation with medical storytelling expert Laurel Braitman is a ticketed ($22-$41) event. [6:30 p.m., Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
May 5
Tracy Clark-Flory: The San Francisco journalist-memoirist speaks about “My Mother’s Daughter: Finding Myself in My Family’s Fractured Past,” in which she details her journey to find the sister that her mother gave up, and uncovers family secrets and much more, in conversation with Oakland journalist Alexis Madrigal. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
May 6
Simon Rogers: Appearing in conversation with Center for Investigative Reporting editor-in-chief Clara Jeffery, the San Francisco resident, Google’s data editor, shares “What We Ask Google: A Surprisingly Hopeful History of Humankind,” an analysis of billions of searches that reveals patterns offering a fascinating portrait of humanity. [5:30 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco]
May 6
Karen Tei Yamashita: Appearing with City Lights Books principal buyer Paul Yamazaki, the author of nine books and professor emerita of literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz, discusses her new novel “Questions 27 & 28,” which melds fact and fiction in a comprehensive examination of the so-called loyalty questionnaire given to West Coast Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated during World War II. [7 p.m., City Lights, 261 Columbus Ave., San Francisco]
May 8
Jeff Hiller: The actor, an Emmy winner for his work in “Somebody Somewhere,” discusses his memoir “Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success” with University of California, Berkeley professor Poulomi Saha at a ticketed ($54-$65) event presented by Friends of the San Francisco Library and City Arts & Lectures. [7:30 p.m., Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., San Francisco]
May 9
Melissa Chen: The Bay Area hiker and blogger, who journeys with Ty, her chocolate lab, and Gus, her basset hound, shares her comprehensive volume “Dog Hiking Northern California: 42 Unmissable Dog-Friendly Trails”; dogs are welcome. [11 a.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
May 9
Tamara Helfer: The East Bay Yiddish speaker reads from and signs copies of her translation of “The Winding Road: My Childhood Years” by Rokhl Feygenberg, a coming-of age-story written by a teenage girl who grew up in a small Belarusian shtetl in the 1890s. [2 p.m., Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda]
May 9
Jennifer Omholt: The Bay Area writer, a seasoned journalist and 24-year cancer survivor, speaks about “Just Diagnosed: A Survivor’s Guide to Navigating Cancer,” her new practical and compassionate volume blending personal insight, expert resources and actionable strategies. [1 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
May 9
Anja Woltman: The Sonoma County resident appears at a meet-and-greet to promote her debut memoir “Geckos, Incense and the Moon,” which details how, at age 73, she left her home to live her own in Vietnam, just as the world began to shut down in 2020. [Noon, Copperfield’s, 138 N. Main St., Sebastopol]
May 12
Sarah Gailey: The Hugo Award-winning California author launches their new novel, “Make Me Better,” a wellness retreat-set horror story, in conversation with fellow Hugo-award winning author Charlie Jane Anders at a ticketed ($35-$40 includes book) party. [7 p.m., Books Inc. Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco]
May 12
Nick Greene: The East Bay author of “How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius” shares “How to Watch Soccer Like a Genius,” in which he covers the popular game and its history from numerous perspectives, in conversation with KQED radio anchor Brian Watt. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
May 12
Vanessa Hua: The Bay Area author of “A River of Stars” and “Forbidden City” discusses her new novel “Coyoteland,” a socio-political tale following numerous families in an affluent East Bay community during the pandemic, with literary editor Oscar Villalon. [7 p.m., Booksmith, 1727 Haight St., San Francisco]
May 14
Margaret Juhae Lee: The Korean-American journalist, an Oakland resident, shares “Starry Field,” in which she uncovers the lost history of her grandfather Lee Chul Ha, who was a student revolutionary imprisoned in 1929 for protesting Japanese imperialism in Korea; registration required. [6 p.m., Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St., Oakland]
May 14
Lerone A. Martin: The Stanford University scholar and director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute speaks about “Young King,” his new book examining the early roots of the American hero and civil rights leader, at a ticketed ($22-$48) event. [7 p.m., Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
May 14
Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen: Barnett, the award-winning Oakland picture book author and ninth U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature whose latest title is “Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children,” and Klassen, animator, illustrator and award-winning author of “I Want My Hat Back” and The Hat Trilogy, speak at a ticketed ($49) event presented by 826 Valencia and City Arts & Lectures. [7:30 p.m., Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., San Francisco]
May 15
Nick Greene: The East Bay writer, a Slate contributor and author of “How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius,” launches the new fun volume “How to Watch Soccer Like a Genius,” in which he covers all aspects of the game and its history, consulting with experts including a neuroscientist, an art historian, a civil engineer, and more. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 2316 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa]
May 16
Lynne Kaufman: The multi-award-winning San Francisco teacher and playwright speaks about her fifth novel “The Oxford Affair,” a murder mystery and romance about a visiting instructor at the University of Oxford who’s greeted by a floating corpse in the Thames, who teams up to investigate with a prospective donor to the college who’s facing attempts on his life. [11 a.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
May 16
Vanessa Hua: The Bay Area best-selling novelist shares her new book “Coyoteland,” a socio-political tale about an affluent Bay Area suburb beset by a series of scandals after a Chinese American family moves in. [2 p.m., Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda]
May 16
Ellen Burstyn: The Oscar-winning actress shares “Poetry Says It Better: Poems to Help You Wake Up,” in a conversation moderated by with Luisa Smith, featuring Rayne O’Brian, a contributor to the book, at a ticketed ($32 includes book) event, which also streams. [4 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
May 17
Mac Barnett: The Oakland author, the ninth U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, celebrates his new title “Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children” in a talk with Jon Scieszka, prolific children’s author who served as the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. [Noon, Copperfield’s, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
May 17
Jean Gordon Kocienda: The former intelligence officer and Silicon Valley geopolitical analyst is promoting her new novel “Girl in a Box,” which based on pioneering feminist Japanese poet Yosano Akiko (1878-1942); the event includes a Japanese calligraphy demonstration depicting the poems and live music. [3 p.m., Books Inc. Pruneyard, 1875 South Bascom Ave., Campbell]
May 17
James Dalessandro: The San Rafael author speaks about his two books: “1906,” a novel set during the Great San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906, and “Citizen Jane: The True Story of One Woman’s Heroic Struggle to Catch a Killer,” a true crime story made into a TV movie about a woman’s 13-year battle to find and prosecute the killer of her 88-year-old aunt. [4 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
May 17
Lena Dunham: The creator of the TV show “Girls” appears in conversation with “Moneyball” author Michael Lewis to promote “Famesick,” her new memoir, at a ticketed ($64-$75) City Arts & Lectures event. [7:30 p.m., Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., San Francisco]
May 20
Karen Nelson: The Silicon Valley author of “The Sunken Town” and co-founder of the nonprofit Writing By Writers speaks about “The Last Summer at Feather River,” her new California-set coming-of-age suspense novel, with Writing By Writers co-founder Pam Houston, in a ticketed ($12-$32.50) presentation. [7 p.m., Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
May 20
Amanda Rizkalla: The writer, a 2023 Steinbeck Fellow and graduate of Stanford University, launches her debut novel “Hungered,” a coming-of-age tale told from the perspective of a 12-year-old homeless girl who lives in a car with her mother and little brother. [6 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
May 21
José Andrés: The chef-restaurateur, founder of the food relief organization World Central Kitchen, TV host and author, promotes his new book “Spain My Way” in conversation with executive-entrepreneur-activist Laurene Powell Jobs in ticketed ($69-$74) City Arts & Lectures presentation. [7:30 p.m., Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., San Francisco]
May 21
Alvin E. Roth: The Nobel Prize-winning Stanford University economics scholar speaks about “Moral Economics: From Prostitution to Organ Sales, What Controversial Transactions Reveal About How Markets Work”— in which he argues that prudent market design can find a balance between preserving people’s rights to pursue their own interests and protecting vulnerable people from harm — in a ticketed ($11.50-$51) presentation. [7 p.m., Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
May 21
Tamika Thompson: The Orinda suspense writer shares her novel “The Curse of Hester Gardens,” a twist on a haunted house tale about a woman raising three sons in public housing, in conversation with poet-storyteller Audrey T. Williams. [6:30 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
May 21
Ayelet Waldman: The Berkeley essayist and author launches “A Perfect Hand,” her new novel of love and subterfuge between a lady’s maid and her clandestine lover set on a 19th century English country estate, in conversation with her husband, novelist Michael Chabon. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
May 22
Mike Huguenor: The San Jose guitarist and writer discusses his new book “Elvis Is Dead, “I’m Still Alive,” about beloved ska musician Mike Park and his iconic indie label Asian Man Records, in conversation with Aaron Carnes, author of “In Defense of Ska.” [7 p.m., Books Inc. Pruneyard, 1875 South Bascom Ave., Campbell]
May 22
Don Sainte-Johnn: The veteran Bay Area broadcaster and educator is special guest at the Donna Summer Book Club to read from and discuss his new memoir, “San Francisco’s Last Top 40 Disc Jockey.” [6:30 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
May 23
Adam Mansbach: The author of the best-selling “Go the F*ck to Sleep“ series shares its new fourth book, “Go The F*ck To College,” in conversation with Peggy Orenstein. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
May 27
Caro Claire Burke: The co-host of the politics and culture podcast Diabolical Lies shares her buzzy debut novel “Yesteryear”; the book about a “trad wife” selling a rustic lifestyle on social media, who suddenly discovers she’s actually in 1800, has been optioned for a movie starring Anne Hathaway. [6 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
May 27
Jeremy Lent: The Berkeley activist, author of “The Patterning Instinct” and “The Web of Meaning,” discusses “Ecocivilization: Making a World that Works for All,” in which he argues that humans can evolve to create societies grounded in justice and dignity, in conversation with Stuart Cowan, executive director of the Buckminster Fuller Institute. 7 p.m., City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Ave., San Francisco]
May 28
Bernadette Atuahene: The property law scholar and professor at the University of Southern California discusses “Plundered: How Racist Policies Undermine Homeownership in America,” in which she tells stories of two grandfathers –one white, one Black– who arrived in Detroit at the turn of the 20th century to illustrate how racist policies weaken Black families, widen the racial wealth gap, and derive profit from pain; registration required. [6 p.m., Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St., Oakland]
May 28
Diane Les Becquets: The author of “Tell Me Everything” and “Heartwood” speaks about “Where the Water Meets the Sky,” her new coming-of-age novel set in Michigan’s untamed Upper Peninsula, in conversation with her son Nate Boesch, an environmental attorney in San Francisco. [5:30 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco]
May 28
Jennie Durant: The Berkeley science writer-researcher speaks about “Bitter Honey: Big Ag’s Threat to Bees and the Fight to Save Them,” her investigation into how industrial farming poses an increasing threat to America’s bees, in conversation with essayist-novelist Mary Volmer. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
May 28
Jeremy Lent: The Berkeley activist, speaker and author of “The Patterning Instinct” and “The Web of Meaning,” discusses his new title “Ecocivilization: Making a World that Works for All,” which posits that, for civilization to continue to survive, humans can evolve to create societies grounded in justice and dignity. [6 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
May 29-31
Bay Area Book Festival: The mostly free 12th annual event in downtown Berkeley with the theme “Writing the Future” includes more than 360 authors in more than 120 panels on 21 stages. The Bookworm Block Party outdoor fair on Sunday offers 150 exhibitors, four outdoor stages, and a new Chill Zone. Five ticketed ($22) headliner programs feature Marshall Ganz, Nnedi Okorafor and Walidah Imarisha in “Building Worlds, Building Power” at 6 p.m. May 29; Kate Gale, Hannah Moushabeck, Phoebe Robinson and Cynthia Leitich Smith in “Publishing the Future” at 5 p.m. May 30; Rebecca Solnit, Morgan Sorne and Saul Williams in “Hope is a Time Traveler: Globalist Pasts & Potentials” at 7:30 p.m. May 30; May Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones and Ayize Jama-Everett in “What Haunts Us Still: Surviving and Storytelling” at 5:30 p.m. May 31; and Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Susana M Morris and Isis Asare in “Black Feminist Futurescaping” at 7:30 p.m. May 31. [Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley for headliners; other activities at multiple locations in and around Martin Luther Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, Martin Luther King Jr. and Allston ways, Berkeley]
May 29
Theo Baker: The Stanford University student shares his exposé “How to Rule the World,” which details how his student newspaper reporting on allegations of research misconduct led to Stanford president Marc Tessier-Lavigne’s departure from the position, in a ticketed ($11.50-$48) “This is Now with Angie Coiro” presentation. [6 p.m., Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
May 30
Jennie Durant: The Berkeley science writer-researcher speaks about “Bitter Honey: Big Ag’s Threat to Bees and the Fight to Save Them,” her behind-the-scenes investigation into how industrial farming poses a growing threat to America’s bees. [4 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
May 30
Don Sainte-Johnn: The longtime Bay Area broadcaster and educator celebrates his memoir “San Francisco’s Last Top 40 Disc Jockey” in which he recounts his 20-year career at KFRC and the era when personality-driven Top 40 radio “defined the sound of the city.” [3 p.m., Books Inc., Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco]
May 31
David Helvarg: The Bay Area journalist, ocean advocate and founder-director of Blue Frontier, a nonprofit dedicating to protect the ocean, coasts and human and wild communities, shares his eighth book, “Forest of the Sea: The Remarkable Life and Imperiled Future of Kelp,” which describes the importance of the underappreciated marine habitats and the consequences of losing them. [4 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]