Writers of powerful non-fiction, thrilling detective fiction, notable picture books and vivid memoirs are appearing across the area this month. Also: The 45th Northern California Book Awards will be presented to local authors of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, general nonfiction, translation and children’s literature in San Francisco on Sept. 19. To submit an event to the calendar, email books@baycitynews.com.
Sept. 1
David Perlis: The writer, musician and filmmaker, a Marin County native, shares “Morning in Marin: Zen, Drugs, and Ewoks on the California Coast,” described as “the first comprehensive narrative history of what he calls the ‘Marinaissance,’ a movement that gave rise to ‘Star Wars,’ nurtured the ethos of the Grateful Dead” and heavily influenced new ideas in music, religion, literature, film and philosophy.” [6 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Sept. 4
David Perlis: The writer, musician and filmmaker, a Marin County native, shares “Morning in Marin: Zen, Drugs, and Ewoks on the California Coast,” the first book of its kind to explore Marin County’s extraordinary cultural history. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
Sept. 8
Jon Else: The documentary filmmaker and University of California, Berkeley journalism school professor emeritus speaks about “Frenchman Flat: The Rise and Fall of Atomic Bombs,” which details the history of a 37-kiloton atomic bomb dubbed “Priscilla” that was test exploded in Nevada in 1957, with John Adams, composer of the opera “Dr. Atomic.” [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
Sept. 8
Laurie R. King: The veteran Bay Area detective fiction writer speaks about “Those Who Are Gone,” the new novel in her Inspector Raquel Laing series, detailing how one case, the homicide of a drug dealer in a deserted corner of San Francisco, “blows up far too close to home.” [6 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Sept. 9
Angela Duckworth: The psychologist, professor and bestselling author of “Grit” discusses her new book “Situation,” which explains how people can succeed not necessarily by changing their personalities, but by changing their situations, in conversation with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr at a ticketed ($45 includes book) event. [7 p.m., Dominican University, Angelico Hall, 20 Olive Ave., San Rafael]
Sept. 9
William B. Gould IV: The legendary labor law scholar, prolific author and longtime Stanford University law professor emeritus shares the story of his life in a sweeping new title, “Those Who Travail and Are Heavy Laden: Memoir of a Labor Lawyer.” [6 p.m., Latino/Hispanic Room, Public Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco]
Sept. 9
Anna Nordberg: The San Francisco-based journalist launches her debut novel “When She Was Ours, ” an emotional story about the long-lasting effects of a mother’s final decisions and how they shaped her daughters’ lives. [7 p.m., Green Apple Books, 1231 Ninth Ave., San Francisco]
Sept. 10
Merika Goolsby: The native San Franciscan, a facilitator of an online community helping clients get fit without judgment, shares “A Flower Called Orphan Girl: A Memoir,” about her experiences in foster care, being an “adoptee survivor” and resilience in the face of child abuse. [6 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
Sept. 10
Skye Perryman: The Texas attorney, president of Democracy Forward—a nonpartisan organization working to challenge abuses of governmental power, support advocates doing transformative work and expose overlooked threats to democracy — speaks about “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: How to Reclaim Your Power, Fight for Freedom & Reimagine Democracy.” [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, Montgomery Village, 775 Village Court, Santa Rosa]
Sept. 10
Tim Melody Pratt: The San Francisco genderfluid, Hugo Award-winning author of short fiction and more than 30 novels discusses the new volume “The Jewel and the Comet,” described as a “quirky space opera with charming characters, sarcastic spaceships and a hint of romance.” [6 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco]
Sept. 11
Jonathan Weber: The Los Angeles Times’ first Silicon Valley reporter (in 1990) speaks about “City on the Edge,” his book about San Francisco’s transformation into a global capital of technology, described as “part history, part political investigation, and part insider’s account.” [7 p.m., Copperfield’s, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
Sept. 12
Albert Flynn DeSilver, Kim Addonizio: The Bay Area poets read from their new books—DeSilver’s is “Some Void” and Addonizio’s is “Exit Opera” — accompanied by a music performance featuring Addonizio and guitarist Danny Caron. [4 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Sept. 13
Tricia Hellman Gibbs, Avery Hellman, Jay Blakesberg, Michael Shapiro: The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass insiders host a performance, slide show and discussion celebrating about “Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang,” a book capturing the iconic free music festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park through the lenses of Jay Blakesberg and fellow photographers, with a foreword by Emmylou Harris, afterword by Steve Earle, and writing by Aidin Vaziri, Frances Dinkelspiel, Sylvie Simmon and Gibbs; the gathering also streams. [4 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Sept. 13
Dorothy Lazard: The celebrated Oakland librarian and historian discusses her new book, “Behind the Desk at the Main: A Librarian’s Memoir with former San Francisco City Librarian, Luis Herrera. [2 p.m., Latino/Hispanic Room, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco]
Sept. 14
Alison Carpenter Davis: The editor and Northwestern University journalism professor, a 1979 Stanford University graduate, speaks about “Letters Home from Stanford,” her cross-generational collection of Stanford students’ handwritten, typed and electronic correspondence evoking universal experiences. [7 p.m., Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto]
Sept. 14
Nina Schuyler: The prolific Marin author and writing instructor discusses “Open the Floodgates,” her new novel set in an unnamed California town at a time when rivers have been granted personhood, in conversation with San Francisco writer Lewis Buzbee. [7 p.m., Green Apple Books, 1231 Ninth Ave., San Francisco]
Sept. 15
Nina Schuyler: The Bay Area author shares her new novel “Open the Floodgates”; set in an unnamed town at a time when rivers have been granted personhood, the story “imagines a new reality with a new configuration of the human and other-than-human relationship.” [6 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Sept. 15
Isabel Allende: The internationally acclaimed, prolific North Bay novelist speaks about “Story Telling: A Writing Life,” her new memoir, at a ticketed ($50 includes copy of book in English or Spanish) event. [7 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St., San Francisco]
Sept. 16
Joseph Coulson: The Bay Area writer shares “The Prince of Memphis,” his novel of alternative music history in which Elvis’ long-lost son faces a sinister conspiracy, in conversation with broadcaster Jerry Shapiro. [7 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2905 College Ave., Berkeley]
Sept. 17
Deborah Santana: The California author and activist who was married to musician Carlos Santana for 34 years speaks about her second memoir, “Loving the Fire: Choosing Me, Finding Freedom,” which describes how she reclaimed a life of purpose after decades of living in the shadows. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s Books, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
Sept. 17
Marion Seidemann Fredman: The Berkeley resident shares “A Time to Hide: Based on a True Story of Survival During the Holocaust,” her first title, a nonfiction picture book telling her family’s story of love, loss and resilience, in conversation with illustrator Diane Dove. [6:30 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
Sept. 16
Vanessa Hua, Nina Schuyler: The Bay Area novelists discuss their new titles that have environmental themes: Hua’s “Coyoteland” is set in the East Bay; Schuyler’s “Open the Floodgates” is set in an unnamed West Coast town at a time when rivers have been granted personhood; RSVP requested. [6 p.m., Napa Bookmine, 1625 Second St., Napa]
Sept. 18
Paula Goldman: Salesforce’s first ethical and humane use officer, an artificial intelligence expert, speaks about “Manage the Machine: How to Harness Human-AI Collaboration at Work,” described as a “prescriptive guide for how to integrate AI into the workplace effectively,” with author Chung-Mau Cheng, creative director at Accenture. [5:30 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
Sept. 18
Helene Wecker: The Bay Area fantasy writer launches “The Gates of Midnight,” the long-awaited conclusion to the bestselling trilogy that began with her acclaimed debut “The Golem and the Jinni,” a combination of Yiddish and Middle Eastern literature, historical fiction and magic realism. [7 p.m., Copperfield’s Books, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma]
Sept. 19
Isabel Allende: The beloved Bay Area novelist speaks about her new title, “Story Telling: A Writing Life,” in which she describes her creative process and reflects on her decades writing books that have captivated readers worldwide at a ticketed ($32 includes book and tea and cookies) event. [11 a.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Sept. 19
Northen California Book Awards: Honorees are slated to appear at the 45th annual free event presented by Northern California Book Reviewers, Poetry Flash, the San Francisco Public Library, Mechanics’ Institute Library and Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter. Winners are local authors of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, general nonfiction, translation and children’s literature released in 2025. The Fred Cody Award for Lifetime Achievement and NCBA Groundbreaker Award will be presented as well. [2 p.m., Koret Auditorium, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco]
Sept. 19
Constance Moore: The Oakland artist and educator shares “A Language of Stiches: The Radical Quilts of Rosie Lee Tompkins,” her picture book biography of Effie Mae Martin, the groundbreaking artist, who, under the name Rosie Lee Tompkins, created numerous unique quilts that demonstrate her love for faith and family and tell stories of Black life. [2:30 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
Sept. 19
Stephan Pastis, Will Henry: The popular comic creators (Pastis for “Pearls Before Swine,” Henry for “Wallace the Brave”) launch their middle-grade “Masters of the Universe”-set series “The Adventures of He-Man and Porter” with the first title, “Skeletor Ate My Homework,” at a family friendly session. [2 p.m., Pegasus Books, 1855 Solano Ave., Berkeley]
Sept. 19
Deborah Santana: The activist and author shares her memoir “Fire: Choosing Me, Finding Freedom,” which details her transformative journey after the end of her long marriage to musician Carlos Santana, with stories of motherhood, heritage and spiritual growth. [1 p.m., Larkspur Library, 10 Rose Lane, Larkspur]
Sept. 19
Nina Schuyler: The local short story author shares her new novel “Open the Floodgates,” a modern fable set unnamed town at a time when rivers have been granted personhood, in discussion with Lauren C. Johnson, co-host of Babylon Salon, a Bay Area reading series. [7 p.m., Bookshop West Portal, 80 West Portal Ave., San Francisco]
Sept. 19
Ed Yong, Amy Tan: Yong—the avid birder, science journalist, Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author—and Tan—bestselling novelist, birder and nature journal writer—discuss birding and nature in a gathering hosted by author-educator John Muir Laws; the ticketed ($75), which includes an hors d’oeuvres and wine reception, is a fundraiser for Wild Wonder Foundation. [5 p.m., Foster Museum, 940 Commercial St., Palo Alto]
Sept. 21
Francis Fukuyama: The influential political theorist and Stanford University scholar speaks about his memoir “In the Realm of the Last Man,” in which he shares his observations of global politics, his history working in RAND Corporation’s Political Science Department and the U.S. Department of State, and his family’s story of internment during World War II; he appears in conversation with fellow Stanford scholar Michael McFaul in a ticketed ($22-$45) event. [7 p.m., Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
Sept. 23
Kristin Hannah: City Arts & Lectures presents the author of “The Nightingale” and “The Four Winds” speaking about her newest title “The Women,” described as a “portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided,” in conversation with Yangsze Choo, author of “The Ghost Bride,” at a ticketed ($59 includes book) event. [7:30 p.m., Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., San Francisco]
Sept. 23
Ke Huy Quan: The Vietnamese American actor who began as a child in major films and as an adult won an Oscar for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” promotes his memoir “Never Say Die,” appearing in conversation with graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang at a ticketed ($58-$80 includes book) event. [7 p.m., Elizabeth A. Hangs Theater, Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Way, Santa Clara]
Sept. 25
Brian Herriot: The Alameda author, financial advisor and entrepreneur speaks about “Time Freedom: Rethink Your Work and Money to Create a Life You Love Now,” which offers strategies on how to work less, make more and invest better. [6 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
Sept. 26
Kristin Hannah: Copperfield’s presents the author of “The Nightingale” and “The Four Winds” promoting her new title “The Women,” a coming-of-age story about woman who serves in the Vietnam war and comes home to a changed, divided America, in conversation with novelist Ellen Sussman at a ticketed ($46-$69 includes book) event. [7:30 p.m., Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road. Santa Rosa]
Sept. 26
Michael Moritz: The Welsh-born philanthropist, author, former journalist and billionaire venture capitalist who backed major companies in a 38-year tenure at Sequoia Capital, launches his memoir “Ausländer: One Family’s Story of Escape and Exile,” in which he uncovers the history of family members murdered by Nazis. [1 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Sept. 27
Michelle Chouinard: The Bay Area thriller writer launches “A Map to Murder,” her new title in bestselling Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco Mysteries, again featuring beloved true crime tour guide Capri Sanzio. [2 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco]
Sept. 27
Laleh Khadivi: The Oakland author shares “Female Life On Planet Earth,” her novel about a daughter uncovering her beloved mother’s secret past as a soldier in Iran’s Islamic revolution, in conversation with San Francisco poet and short story writer Preeti Vangan. [6 p.m., Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave., Berkeley]
Sept. 28
Diana Kapp: The seasoned journalist, co-author of “The Last Free Women: A Daring Escape from Afghanistan and Coming of Age in America,” appears with Jessica Lessin to share the book, which tells the stories of four exceptional women who forged new lives upon leaving their home during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation in the wake of the Taliban’s resurgence. [7 p.m., Green Apple Books, 1231 Ninth Ave., San Francisco]
Sept. 28
Michael Moritz: The Welsh-born philanthropist and venture capitalist with a 38-year tenure at Sequoia Capital, speaks about his memoir “Ausländer: One Family’s Story of Escape and Exile,” in which he uncovers the history of relatives murdered by Nazisin conversation with Adam Lashinsky, columnist for The San Francisco Standard; the ticketed ($22-$45) event includes a 5 p.m. pre-talk reception. [7 p.m., Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
Sept. 28
Nina Schuyler: The Marin fiction writer and writing instructor speaks about her novel “Open the Floodgates,” a fable set unnamed place at a time when rivers have been granted personhood, in conversation with Holly Lynn Payne, an author, story development editor and creator of the Page One Podcast. [6 p.m., Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley]
Sept. 29
Michelle Chouinard: The Bay Area mystery author shares “A Map to Murder,” the latest book in her bestselling Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco Mysteries featuring true crime tour guide Capri Sanzi. [7 p.m., Bookshop West Portal, 80 W. Portal Ave., San Francisco]
Sept. 29
Diana Kapp: The veteran journalist, co-author of “The Last Free Women: A Daring Escape from Afghanistan and Coming of Age in America,” speaks with journalist Jeanne Carstensen about her new book, which details the journeys of four women who started new lives after fleeing their home country in 2021 when the Taliban came back to power. [6:30 p.m., Koret Auditorium, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco]
Sept. 29
Nina Schuyler: The prolific Bay Area fiction writer shares “Open the Floodgates,” her imaginative new novel in which rivers are personified. [7 p.m., Books Inc., 74 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto]
Sept. 29
Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve: The Brown University sociologist speaks about “Crime Fictions: How Racist Lies Built A System of Mass Wrongful Conviction,” her highly researched indictment of the U.S. criminal justice system, which ensnares innocent Black youths to close cases, with Bay Area community organizer De’jon Joy. [6:30 p.m., Books Inc., 1344 Park St., Alameda]
Sept. 29
Kamini Ramani: The Bay Area tech industry executive speaks about her new nonfiction title “Lotus Leadership: A Modern Playbook of Ancient Wisdom,” with Room to Read CEO Geetha Murali and Best Bookstore owner and journalist Sarah Lacy, who share their secrets to “owning power.” [6:30 p.m., Best Bookstore in Union Square, 225 Powell St., San Francisco]
Sept. 30
Michael Moritz: City Arts & Lectures presents the philanthropist, author, former journalist and billionaire venture capitalist discussing “Ausländer: One Family’s Story of Escape and Exile,” his memoir in which he uncovers the history of family members murdered by Nazis, with Manny Yekutiel in a ticketed ($65) event. (7:30 p.m., Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., San Francisco]
Sept. 30
Kamini Ramani: The Bay Area tech executive launches “Lotus Leadership,” described as a “modern playbook for success culled from the inspiring stories of a largely unrecognized cadre of luminary women of Indian heritage,” in conversation with fellow tech leaders Judy Estrin and Srinija Srinivasan; the ticketed ($22-$42) event includes a 6 p.m. pre-talk reception. [7 p.m., Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
Sept. 30
Sharon Weinberger: The veteran investigative journalist covering national security discusses “Valley of Death: How Big Tech Is Fueling the Future of War,” in which she details how American military and spy agencies helped create Silicon Valley, and how some of its major companies owe their success to the Pentagon and CIA. [6 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]