Events

Events have been submitted by libraries and other agencies that provide book related programming.

Libraries, bookstores, colleges, and others are encouraged to add literary events.

Meet the Author Erin Stevenson Aug 19, 2018 from 01:00 PM to 02:00 PM — The Browser-2629 Beaver Ave., Suite 1, Des Moines, IA 50310,: Plan B Kelsea Anderson is a jilted bride with nothing left but a battered heart and a plane ticket to the Caribbean. The only part of her doomed wedding that she had any say in was the honeymoon. She paid for it, and there’s no reason she can’t come to the romantic resort alone, so Kelsea jumps on a plane the day after New Year’s to escape the icy St. Louis winter and come up with a Plan B for the rest of her life. Landon St. Clair was left at the altar on New Year’s Day at St. Louis’ social event of the season. He wants nothing more than to lick his wounds in solitude and figure out a Plan B, and intends to keep his reservation at the St. Jardin Honeymoon Resort, even without a bride. With the owners’ reluctant approval, Landon takes on an assumed identity and cuts all ties to home for the week. Lottery winners Rose and Ike Goldman, married for 53 years, never looked back when they left Brooklyn, NY for the Caribbean where they bought a honeymoon resort three years ago. Rose was something of a matchmaker in Brooklyn, and once she meets Kelsea and “Brandon,” she knows she has her work cut out for her. She has only a week to convince them that sometimes, Plan B is the best plan of all. Take a quick getaway to St. Jardin! Plan B is your ticket to a tropical paradise filled with beautiful gardens, merriment, and romance. About the Author... Writing is like breathing to Erin Stevenson. Stories are running through her mind during most of her waking hours, and by the time she sits down at the computer, the words flow and time ceases to exist. Erin was raised in Illinois and has lived in many places in the U.S., including on both coasts, but is a Midwest girl at heart. She spent many years as an educator from pre-school through college levels, and currently works in training and internal communications for a major global corporation. When she’s not writing, Erin loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, and playing in the garden (which equates to mostly pulling weeds) at her central Iowa home. Her secret indulgence is plain M&Ms.
Author Talk with Rebecca Makkai Aug 21, 2018 from 07:00 PM to 08:00 PM — Decorah, Dragonfly Books,: Dragonfly Books is pleased to welcome Chicago-based author Rebecca Makkai back to Decorah with her new novel The Great Believers, a story of friendship and redemption during the carnage of the AIDs epidemic. Rebecca Makkai will share her stories, talk about The Great Believers, and sign books on Tuesday, August 21 at 7:00 pm at Dragonfly Books.
Laurens Adult Book Club Aug 27, 2018 from 07:00 PM to 08:00 PM — Laurens Public Library,: We will be gathering to discuss the book "The Boys in the Bunkhouse". We get together ever month on the 4th Monday to discuss the chosen book.
Meet the Author John Carenen Aug 29, 2018 from 06:30 PM to 07:30 PM — The Browser-2629 Beaver Ave., Suite 1, Des Moines, IA 50310,: The Face on the Other Side He’d promised Sheriff Payne that he wouldn’t take any more matters into his own hands. So, when on a leisurely morning drive, SEAL-trained Thomas O’Shea sees two girls attacking a boy on a sidewalk, he opts not to intervene. When the boy is later murdered in the local hospital, though, all promises are off. What seems at the start to be a simple case of gang activity turns out to be far more. Even O’Shea, who has seen more than his share of evil, could not have guessed what is about to transpire... About the Author... John Carenen, a native of Clinton, Iowa, has been a featured humor columnist in newspapers in North and South Carolina. A novel, Son-up, Son-down was published by the National Institute of Mental Health. His debut Thomas O’Shea thriller, Signs of Struggle (2012), was followed by A Far Gone Night (2014). And now, The Face on the Other Side continues the exploits of this darkly humorous protagonist and a uniquely Midwestern cast of quirky characters hanging out in the picturesque village of Rockbluff, Iowa. John recently retired from his years as an English professor at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C. A big fan of his family, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Boston Red Sox, he and his long-suffering wife live just north of Greenville, S.C.
Bi-cultural Book Discussion and Signing Sep 17, 2018 from 06:30 PM to 07:30 PM — Artisan Gallery 218, 218 Fifth Street, West Des Moines,: We the Interwoven: An Anthology of Bicultural Iowa Andrea Wilson, Sadagat Aliyena, Melissa Palma, Chuy Renteria Artisan Gallery 218, 218 Fifth Street, WDM Enjoy a lively discussion by the writers who tell the story of a new Iowa. We the Interwoven brings together three Americans whose families have found home in the heartland over the past two generations. This collection brings together a variety of genres, including nonfiction, poetry, and fiction, to represent their unique experiences and amalgamation of influences, from the coast of Azerbaijan to the border towns of Mexico to the archipelago of the Philippines. These stories reflect who they were, who they are, and who they hope to become with the help of Iowa's fields of opportunity. While the American Dream may bring to mind the quintessential white picket fence, the American experience it as unique as it is diverse.
Book Talk by Jennifer Harvey, Author of Raising White Kids Sep 24, 2018 from 06:30 PM to 07:30 PM — Artisan Gallery 218, 218 Fifth Street, West Des Moines,: Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in Racially Unjust America Author Jennifer Harvey Artisan Gallery 218, 218 Fifth Street, WDM Anyone involved in raising children today will appreciate Harvey’s new book, Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in Racially Unjust America. This book is great for families, churches, educators, and communities who want to equip their children to be active and able participants in a society that is becoming one of the most racially diverse in the world while remaining full of racial tensions. While a great deal of public discussion exists regarding the impact of race and racism on children of color, meaningful dialogue about and resources for understanding the impact of race on white children are woefully absent. Raising White Kids steps into that void.
Book Talk with Mindy Mejia Oct 05, 2018 from 06:30 PM to 07:30 PM — Beaverdale Books, 2629 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines,: Leave No Trace Mindy Mejia Beaverdale Books, 2629 Beaverdale Avenue, DM Mejia’s newest novel, Leave No Trace, examines the mysterious disappearance of a father and his 9-year-old son in the Minnesota wilderness and then the even more mysterious return of the son 10 years later. Tasked to make a connection with the violent, uncommunicative and somewhat feral 19-year-old is Maya Stark, the assistant language therapist of the psychiatric facility he’s housed in. But Maya, who was abandoned by her own mother, has secrets, too. And as she’s drawn closer to this enigmatic boy who is no longer a boy, she’ll risk everything to reunite him with his father who has disappeared from the known world. Mindy Mejia received her MFA from Hamline University. Her debut novel, The Dragon Keeper, was published by Ashland Creek Press in 2012. The granddaughter of Minnesota farmers, she lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two children.
Our book tiltled; Mom as of July from Oct 08, 2018 08:00 AM to Oct 12, 2018 05:00 PM — Des Moines, Iowa,: My daughter's & I have written a true story of my journey through addiction, homelessness, faith & love. We were all born in Iowa. The story is receiving 5 stars on Amazon.com and through our website www.momasofjuly.com. We will be visiting Iowa in October to speak at Teen Challenge, and would love to share our story through your venue as well. Sincerely, Luanne
CommUNITY Book Club--"Boys in the Bunkhouse" Discussion Oct 25, 2018 from 07:00 PM to 08:00 PM — Storm Lake Public Library, 609 Cayuga St., Storm Lake, Iowa Attendees Open to all interested adults. If you are not a regular book club attendee, co,: The Storm Lake Public Library's CommUNITY Book Club will meet on Thursday, October 25 from 7:00-8:00 PM to discuss this year's All Iowa Reads selection, "The Boys in the Bunkhouse." Contact the library to obtain a copy and join in the discussion!