Dig into live book events, the latest appearances by authors, and more with our roundup of book and literary events taking place in Houston in August 2024.
Acclaimed authors are in the city to sign their latest, and Houston’s literary and arts organizations come together for some original programming around books.
Here’s the scoop on what’s happening across the Bayou City this month:
Top 10 Book & Author Events in Houston: August 2024
- Kimberly McCreight at Murder by the Book | Thursday, August 1 | FREE – The best-selling author of Reconstructing Amelia talks her new novel, Like Mother, Like Daughter, the story of a daughter in a race against time to uncover her mother’s secret life in the wake of her disappearance. Free to attend; books for signing must be purchased from the bookstore. 6:30pm.
- National Coloring Book Day at Ardest Gallery | Saturday, August 3 | FREE – The Woodlands gallery celebrates the day with a series of coloring sheets created by gallery artists. From noon to 2pm, meet guest artist Robyn Crowell, who is showcasing her brand new published coloring book, Femme and Flora. 10am to 4pm.
- Ali Velshi at Asia Society Texas | Tuesday, August 6 – The author and host of Velshi on MSNBC discusses his latest book, Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance & the Fight for Democracy, which tells the story of his family’s incredible century-long journey from India to South Africa, Kenya, Canada, and the United States. $20 and up. 6pm to 9pm.
- Build-A-Bookmark at Shop Local Market | Saturday, August 17 – The shop at the Houston Farmers Market hosts this back-to-school DIY activity. All ages are welcome, where guests will use their creativity and a host of supplies to craft their own unique bookmark. $10. Noon to 2pm.
- Romance Day at Blue Willow Bookshop | Saturday, August 17 | No Cover – Whether it’s a rom-com, a bodice ripper, the Harlequin catalog or a contemporary love story you love, this is your event to connect with fellow romance novel lovers, and get great recs on what to read next. 10am to 5pm.
- Hari Kunzru at the Menil Collection | Thursday, August 22 | FREE – The author reads from his new book, Blue Ruin, which masterfully weaves through time, painting an extraordinary portrait of an artist as he reconnects with his past and faces the world he once cherished but ultimately left behind. The reading is followed by conversation with author Rosa Boshier González. 7pm.
- Sultry in the City at South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center | Friday, August 23 & Saturday, August 24 – This weekend event in the Clear Lake area allows readers to connect with a variety of authors from around the country, working in multiple genres. Attendees can purchase books and have them signed, and join in on other events. $15 and up. Times vary.
- Writing the Humorous Essay at Writespace | Saturday, August 24 – Houston arts writer Doni Wilson hosts this workshop, where you’ll tap into your own sense of humor and learn to construct an essay to showcase it. You’ll also learn about which publications print such essays and how to pitch them. $60 and up. 1pm to 4pm.
- LaDarrion Williams at Kindred Stories | Saturday, August 24 – The author signs and talks about his debut novel, Blood at the Root, which follows a Black teen named Malik, who discovers he has uncontrollable powers. Can he learn to harness this ancestral magic to help himself and his family? $5; $20.99 including a copy of the book. 4pm.
- Brazos Bookstore presents Jodi Picoult at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church | Wednesday, August 28 – The New York Times best-selling author of Mad Honey (with Jennifer Finlay Boylan) and My Sister’s Keeper comes to the Hermann Park church to discuss her latest novel, By Any Other Name. It’s a dual timeline story of a playwright, Melina Green and her ancestor, Emilia Bassano. Weaving between the present day and the 1500s, it showcases the difficult roads each woman must navigate to showcase their artistic talents in worlds dominated by men. $30; including a pre-signed copy of the book. 7pm.
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