Visiting Writing Series @ St. Mary’s College | Oct. 8 – Dec. 3
This stunning, free series of literature talks is a gem. Easily overlooked unless a person is in-the-know and familiar with the small, private college in Moraga’s reputation for having a superlative MFA program, the roster in 2025 is impressive. Having hosted two events in September, the series continues with Sam Sax, poet and author of “Yr Dead,” a novel longlisted for the National Book Award (Oct. 8); Jon Hickey, author of the well-received and reviewed novel, “Big Chief” (Nov. 11); Alexis Madrigal, co-host of KQED’s show Forum, and author of “The Pacific Circuit,” an exploration of Oakland’s storied past (Nov. 16); and Leila Mottley, bestselling author of “Nightcrawling” and “The Girls Who Grew Big” (Dec. 3). All the programs are open to the public and run 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Hagerty Lounge on the St. Mary’s campus, with the exception of Madrigal, who speaks off-site at The Prelinger Library in San Francisco.
Oct. 8 – Dec. 3 @ 2:30 p.m. | Free | stmarys-ca.edu/graduate-professional-studies/mfa-in-creative-writing/visiting-writers-series
Litquake Festival Events @ Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore | Oct. 12, 14, 21, and 24
The always-reliable independent bookstore in Elmwood jumps into the action during the 17-day festival with four events. On Oct. 12, “Disaster, with a Side of Noodles” has LAMBDA Award winner Lee Lai (“Cannon”), Annalee Newitz (“Automatic Noodle”), and food and culture writer Soleil Ho (co-author of “The Memory of Taste”) in conversation [MORE]. “Scribbling Women” Strike Back (Oct. 14) powers up the voices of seven women writers/editors/podcasters who shine the light on women whose stories have been lost or erased [MORE]. Comics and Conversation with New Yorker Cartoonist Tom Toro unspools whirligig facts and fictions about life as a cartooning fellow on Oct. 21, and four local shining star graphic novelist/cartoonists/historians/educators set up with California College of Art’s Justin Hall for a travel-back-in-time chat about being a teen in the Bay Area during the 1990s [MORE]. Note the first event starts at 6 p.m.; all others begin at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 @ 6 pm | Oct. 14, 21, and 24 @ 7:30 pm | Free | mrsdalloways.com + litquake.org
Adam Johnson: “The Wayfinder” @ The Booksmith SF | Oct. 17
Be one the earliest folks to gain entry into Bay Area-Based Johnson’s newest novel, “The Wayfinder.” Available on pre-order, the grand, epic tale charts a marvelous journey of a young island girl in the Kingdom of Tonga, an empire at war, and that of a newly arrived stranger. There is desperation, near-starvation, feuding, disrupted grave sights, corpses—and the hope of survival for the young girl and her community. Johnson proved himself a supremely gifted wordsmith with “Fortune Smiles” and the pulitzer Prize winning “The Orphan Master’s Son.” There is every reason to expect a rousing, rich read with his new, 700-page novel. He lives with his wife and children in San Francisco and teaches creative writing at Stanford University. Purchase of the book is required for entry to this event.
Oct. 17 @ 7 p.m. | $30 | booksmith.com
Mary Roach: “Replaceable You” @ Lafayette Library and Learning Center | Oct. 21
The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation hosts a top-tier Distinguished Writer Series year-round. This month, East Bay’s beloved science writer and New York Times Bestselling author Mary Roach (STIFF, GULP, FUZZ, and more) sits down in the library’s Don Tatzin Community Hall to talk about her new book “Replaceable You.” From fabricated noses to skin, limbs, internal organs, hair, and more, Roach as usual leaves no stones—or bones—unturned when she tells the stories of patients, physicians, engineers, scientist, fabricators, researchers, educators, and nefarious experts whose passionate pursuit of replacement parts for the human body knows no end. It is always a delight to read her well-written books, which bring to life the science of common — and uncommon — bodily functions and medical procedures. In addition to her nonfiction books, her writing has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, Wired, and others. Roach is a lively speaker, so expect a stimulating, learn-and-laugh evening. Copies of the book can be preordered at Orinda Books.
Oct. 21 @ 7 p.m. | $20-$50 | lllcf.org
Bibliophile Advent Calendar for Booklovers @ Chronicle Books | All month+
We’re coming up to the time of year when gift-giving comes to mind — and for the book lover in your life, consider the locally-produced advent calendar for bibliophiles. Inside the attractive package from Bay Area-based Chronicle Books ($45), 24 tiny books offer crafty prompts, author facts and trivia, or present miniature replicas of illustrations that delight the eye and rekindle the imagination. A special Day 25 gift and the included mini-journal saved as keepsakes can be revisited well into 2026, when next year’s edition arrives. While on the Chronicle website, be sure to check out the publisher’s wall calendars and other lit-related gifts for the upcoming holidays.
October and beyond | chroniclebooks.com