Fabulous Fall Author Events in Houston

One of the many benefits of living in a large city such as Houston is the access to a wide variety of events: literary, sports, music, art, and much more. As a lover of all things book-related, I frequently try to take advantage of the interesting author events that take place all over the city on a regular basis.  

This week I decided to highlight some of the fall literary events here in Houston. 

Oct. 19, 10 a.m. (doors open at 9) - Tweens Read at Pasadena Memorial High School. This is an all-day event for tweens who love to read. Keynote speaker is Jason Reynolds and numerous other authors are also in attendance. Blue Willow Bookshop is the official bookseller of the event; books will be available for sale at the event and attendees can have them signed by authors.

Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. – Michael Stanley and Yrsa Sigurdardottir at Murder by the Book. Writing duo Michael Stanley (whose books I highlighted in my mystery series article) and Yrsa Sigurdardottir do not live in the United States so this is a rare opportunity to hear them speak about their respective books.

Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. – Karen White in conversation with Houston author Katherine Center at Murder by the Book. White will discuss the latest installment in her popular Tradd Street series.

Nov. 2, 5-7 p.m. – Dr. Bertie Simmons at the Houston Museum of African American Culture. Houstonian Dr. Simmons will discuss her new memoir about her life and fight against racism during her 58 years as a dedicated educator in the Houston Independent School District.

Nov. 2-13 – Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival at various locations and times. The stellar lineup includes Isaac Mizrahi, Elyssa Friedland, Lori Gottlieb and numerous others. See the full schedule here.  

Nov. 5 – Fiona Davis and Julie Satow at a morning Conversations from a Page event. The two authors will discuss their latest books involving historic New York City buildings.  

Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m. – Elizabeth Gilbert in conversation with Houston author Chris Cander at Stude Concert Hall on the Rice University campus. The award-winning author will be discussing her latest book, City of Girls. Tickets go on sale Oct. 30.

Nov. 16, 7 p.m. - Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, (ticketed event hosted by Blue Willow Bookshop). The Bush twin are discussing their first children’s book, Sisters First.

Dec. 4 – Holiday Hoopla with Houston Authors including Chris Cander, Katherine Center, Amy Weinland Daughters, Judithe Little, S.C. Perkins and Sara Rosett, a morning Conversations from a Page event. The authors will discuss their latest novels.

Dec. 6 – The John Cooper School’s 15th Annual Signatures Author Series is hosting Maria Semple for this year’s luncheon at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center (ticketed event). The author of Where’d You Go Bernadette will be joined by local authors.

I hope to see you at one of these events this fall!

Recently, Murder by the Book’s owner, McKenna Jordan, created a consolidated website that lists all of the events held at or coordinated by the various independent book stores in Houston. See more upcoming events there.

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram or Cindy’s Reading Recs.