Top 10 Book & Author Events in Houston: March 2023

An in-store reading with people in rows of seating around an author
Brazos Bookstore hosts Elizabeth Cobbs in mid-March | Courtesy of Brazos Bookstore

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 March 2023.

This month’s literary events showcase the serious and the whimsical in the world of reading and letters.

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: March 2023

  • Little BIPOC Book Fest at Discovery Green | Saturday, March 11 | FREE – This afternoon celebration in Downtown features a unique Storybook Opera performance, readings from local authors, arts and crafts, and free books that feature Black, Indigenous, and People of Color experiences. 10am to 2pm.
  • Joseph Earl Thomas in Conversation with Kiese Laymon at Kindred Stories | Wednesday, March 15 – The author discusses his memoir, Sink, which recounts his growing up in a hazardous situation and how he found salvation in geek culture. Free to RSVP; book purchases encouraged for $28. 7pm.
  • Cara Black at Murder by the Book | Saturday, March 18 | FREE – The bestselling author of the Aimée Leduc series signs the second installment in her World War II collection, Night Flight to Paris. Attending the event is free, but all books to be signed by the author must be purchased from the bookstore. 3pm. 
  • Italo Calvino: A Centennial Celebration at Italian Cultural & Community Center | Mondays, March 20 & March 27 This multi-week exploration of Italo Calvino’s works allows participants to take a deep dive into the literary style and much-loved stories of one of Italy’s most celebrated writers. Courses are held each Monday through April 10. $125. 6:30pm.
  • History in Print: The Architecture of Bridsall P. Briscoe at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church | Tuesday, March 21 – Architectural historian Stephen Fox discusses his book, which examines Briscoe’s country homes and offers context on his methods. $5. 6:30pm.
  • Elizabeth Cobbs: Fearless Women at Brazos Bookstore | Wednesday, March 22 | FREE – The New York Times bestselling author discusses her new book, which explores how the quest for women’s rights is deeply enmeshed with the founding of the United States. The event is free to attend, but books that guests would like signed by the author must be purchased from the store. 6:30pm.
  • Blue Willow Bookshop presents TeenBookCon 2023 at Aldine Davis High School | Saturday, March 25 | FREE with RSVP – Darcie Little Badger and Daniel Nayeri appear in conversation as the keynote to this exciting literary event featuring more than a dozen Young Adult writers, including Brittney Morris (The Jump), Emiko Jean (Tokyo Dreaming), Jumata Emil (The Black Queen) and more. Guests can expect panel discussions, signings and other opportunities to interact with authors. Registration required. 9:30am to 4:15pm.
  • Inprint presents Jasminne Mendez at Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School | Sunday, March 26 | FREE with RSVP – Part of the organization’s Cool Brains! series for middle-grade readers, the Houston-based and award-winning author discusses her latest novel Aniana del Mar Jumps In, which tells the story of a 12-year-old Dominican American swimmer diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Free copies of the book are available to the first 100 families, and attendees can also enjoy free personalized poems by the Inprint Poetry Buskers and a performance from youth slam poets, Meta-Four Houston. 3pm to 4:30pm.
  • Cook the Book: The Wok at Central Market | Thursday, March 30 – In this hands-on class, guests will learn tips and tricks for creating dishes such as Thai beef with basil and fish sauce, velvet chicken with snap peas and a lemon-ginger sauce, and more. All attendees will receive a copy of Chef Kenji Lopez-Alt’s book, The Wok. $85. 6:30pm.
  • Writespace presents Reading & Open Mic at Antidote Coffee | Friday, March 31 – Featured readers Sarah Gajkowski-Hill and Lakshmi Sunder will share their work, plus guests may sign up to read on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving early to secure seating is highly recommended. $5. 7pm to 9:30pm.

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Holly Beretto
Holly Beretto writes about food and wine, the arts and interesting people for a variety of local and regional publications. In addition to 365 Things to Do in Houston, her work has appeared in the Arizona State University Alumni Magazine, Arts + Culture Texas, Bayou City Magazine, Downtown, Galveston Monthly and Houston Woman. She is also a regular contributor to Eater.com's Houston site. She earned her B.A. in mass communication with a minor in professional writing from Franklin Pierce College (now Franklin Pierce University) and her M.A. in communication studies with an emphasis in journalism from St. Louis University. She has worked in television news production, public relations and marketing in Rhode Island, Maine, New York and Texas. A native Rhode Islander, she has lived in Texas since 1997. She is the author of Christ as the Cornerstone: Fifty Years of Worship at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, published by Bright Sky Press.