Litquake 2024

Sponsored by Mary A. Crocker Trust and the Sam Mazza Foundation
Book donations sponsored by Candlewick Press
Co-presented with San Francisco Public Library

Our acclaimed Kidquake programs for children’s books; authors, illustrators, poets, and bookmakers provide readings, discussions, and workshops designed to fuel kids’ imagination. This morning’s two sessions, for kids in K to 2nd grades, begin at 10:15AM and 11:15AM. Featuring authors Minnie Phan and JaNay Brown-Wood, plus a hands-on drumming activity led by DRUMMM to get kids on their feet and making music, with workshops (by lottery) from Stephanie Lucianovic and Jamey Williams. Advance sign-up required, for in-person student groups at litquake.org/kidquake. FREE

Co-presented with Feldman's Books

Feldman’s Books hosts veteran and author Joe Lamb along with members of "Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace," a community led by writer Maxine Hong Kingston. This event, the first part of Feldman’s symposium on the Literature of War and Peace, will feature readings from volume II of their collection of creative works by veterans. Readers include Maddie Aliah, Bonnie Bonner, Sean McLain Brown, Bob Golling, Geneffa Jahan, Martin Lesinski, and Zoe Sameth.This event will feature readings from their collection of creative works by veterans, which reflect on war’s impact and explore literature's role in the healing process. Their readings will be accompanied by a series of musical performances from artists of Redtone Records. Join us to engage with powerful narratives, support our veterans, and witness the transformative power of creative expression! FREE, $20 suggested donation
Book sales for this event coordinated by Feldman's Books

Co-presented with 48 Hills and KALW

On the eve of this year’s hugely consequential presidential election, award-winning journalist Paola Ramos sheds light on a misunderstood and underestimated electorate: the growing number of Latino voters supporting conservative candidates and policies. Using a combination of deep reporting, effective storytelling, and probing yet compassionate questions, Ramos unpacks the combination of race, identity, and political trauma that has shaped this rightward shift—and urges politicians and activists alike not to ignore the power of this group to shape American politics. Noted Bay Area journalist and interviewer Angie Coiro will join Ramos for this critical conversation. FREE, $10–15 suggested donation.

Book sales for this event coordinated by Bookshop West Portal

Foglifter—created by and for LGBTQ+ writers and readers—continues the San Francisco Bay Area’s tradition of groundbreaking queer and trans writing, with an emphasis on publishing those multi-marginalized (BIPOC, youth, elders, and people with disabilities). Join us for the launch of Foglifter’s Fall 2024 issue, celebrating our vibrant 9.2 edition with a dazzling night of literary readings. Explore new voices as our featured writers bring their work to life. Limited print copies of the issue will be available for purchase. Featuring Amal Amer, Amalee Beattie, sienna fereshteh, Eden Nobile, and more! Doors at 6:45PM. FREE, $10–15 suggested donation

Sponsored by the Government of Ireland: Emigrant Support Programme, Culture Ireland, and Center for the Art of Translation
Co-presented with Irish Culture Bay Area

If the accolades for Irish writer Paul Lynch’s Prophet Song are any indication, the novel is no less than required reading for our turbulent times. Awarded the 2023 Booker Prize, Lynch’s fifth novel recounts in exacting, all-too-plausible detail the inexorable descent of Ireland’s liberal democracy into authoritarian rule. Booker Prize chair Esi Edugyan called the novel “soul-shattering and true,” and noted that readers “will not soon forget its warnings.” Join us for one of Lynch’s few North American events in honor of the paperback release of Prophet Song; he will be in conversation with Irish writer Ethel Rohan, author most recently of the novel Sing, I. FREE, $10–15 suggested donation.
Book sales for this event coordinated by Mrs.Dalloway's Bookstore of Literary and Garden Arts

This event will also be live-streamed and videorecorded for those unable to attend in person. Mrs. Dalloway's Books in Berkeley will have extra signed copies of Prophet Song available for purchase after the event.