Dig into live book events, the latest appearances by authors, and more with our roundup of 10 book and literary events happening in Houston in August 2025.
One of my favorite things this month is happening at Houston Public Library locations around the city. While supplies last, families can get backpacks filled with notebooks, pens and other school needs. More than that, it’s a chance to learn about everything the library offers—after-school classes, loaning out cooking supplies, teaching adults civics and computer literacy, and more. The library is a magical place, y’all.
Full disclosure: I’ve loved the mission of Randall Morton and The Progressive Forum for nearly 20 years. The forum hosts some of the most engaging, timely discussions about current events and policy decisions. This month is no different.
LaDarrion Williams was everywhere in 2024 after the publication of Blood at the Root: on NPR, in School Library Journal, on Good Morning America, at book festivals. He might’ve even been on the International Space Station, that’s how much ink and megabytes this book received. Rightly so. Hard as it is to believe in the 21st century, Blood at the Root was the first fantasy YA book with a Black main character. It’s about a teen with a troubled past who discovers he has magical powers. And it debuted at #5 on the New York Times bestseller list. Fantasy and magic are not my jam, but I was into this book and Williams’ own story. Now, he’s back with a sequel, Bones at the Crossroads, and he’s in Houston this month to talk about it.
And for all the lovers out there, don’t miss Bookstore Romance Day.
Go celebrate books, Houston!
Top 10 Book & Author Events in Houston: August 2025
Houston LGBTQ+ Indie Author Fair at the Montrose Center | Saturday, August 2 – Local, independent LGBTQ+ authors from the Houston area will be selling and signing their books, which span a variety of genres. 10am to 4pm.
Author Event: Adrienne Rennick at Buy the Book | Saturday, August 2 | FREE – The Woodlands bookstore hosts the author, who will talk to fans and sign copies of her latest romance, Rift Wielder, the second novel in The Rift Bringer series. 5pm.
Blue Willow Book Shop Author Event: Ally Carter at St. Thomas Presbyterian Church | Tuesday, August 6 – Spy thrillers are my not-so-secret guilty pleasure. And I am a sucker for a rom-com. That’s why I really love what Carter is doing with her novels. The author—whose previous books include The Blonde Identity and The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year—discusses her latest rom-com thriller, The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold with New York Times best-selling writer Sophie Jordan. She’ll sign copies of her work after the discussion; tickets include a copy of the novel. $34.03. 7pm.
Back to School Backpack Giveaway at Houston Public Library locations | Saturday, August 9 | FREE – Branches all over Houston are giving away backpacks filled with school supplies, while supplies last, along with sharing information about library resources. 11am to 4pm.
Bookstore Romance Day at Blue Willow Bookshop & Murder by the Book | Saturday, August 9 | FREE – This national shopping event highlights the romance genre in all its forms. At Blue Willow in Memorial, get staff recs for your next read, offer your own fave suggestions to other readers, collect new stickers and more. Meanwhile, at Murder by the Book in Rice Village, the store’s romance genre guru talks about her favorite romance writers who’ve started writing mysteries, and Houston author Ashley Winstead chats up novels where romance and mystery intertwine. Times vary by location.
Author Talk: LaDarrion Williams at Kindred Stories | Sunday, August 10 – When Williams’ Blood at the Root came out last year, it set the publishing world and pop culture on fire, as the first fantasy book centering on a Black student with magical powers. Now, there’s a sequel, Bones at the Crossroads, which Williams will talk about and sign. Fantasy and magic lovers, this one’s for you. $5+. 5:30pm.
Brazos Bookstore presents Summer of Hitchcock: Psycho at River Oaks Theatre | Wednesday, August 13 – Brazos resident book buyer and film fan Keaton Patterson and arts and culture writer Chris Vognar lead a discussion of Robert Bloch’s thriller, the basis for the classic 1960 Hitchcock film that made people terrified to take showers. After the discussion, which is free, stick around for a screening of the movie. 6:30pm.
Progressive Forum: Robert Reich at Congregation Emanu El | Thursday August 21 – The political economist, cabinet secretary and beloved professor discusses his book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America. The memoir is the story of growing up as a Baby Boomer and how much more he believes our country needs to do to improve. $49+ includes copy of the book. 7:30pm.
What I Did This Summer: Rare Books of Travel & Exploration Discussion at the Houston Public Library Jesse H. Jones Building | Saturday, August 23 | FREE – Rebekah Boulton shares rare, travel-related books and shows you how to craft your own travel journal to take home. Noon to 2:30pm.
Author Event: Kacy Ritter at Barnes & Noble Copperfield | Saturday, August 30 | FREE – The Texas native and fantasy geek signs her latest middle grade novel, Elvira Vance and the Monster Mystery at the bookstore. 1pm to 4pm.
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