Book Reading

An experimental poem sequence inspired by a famous garden now in ruin. In Vigilance is No Orchard, Hazel White records her haunting romance with the Valentine Garden, created by landscape architect Isabelle Greene in the foothills of Santa Barbara, California. Jealous of its maker's power to affect a dynamic experience of space, White tries to make language […]

For Kids ages 4-8 Leslie Crawford Presents Sprig the Rescue Pig, inspired by the true story of a feisty swine who escapes a delivery truck and ends up at an animal sanctuary, this gently humorous tale introduces kids to an intelligent, inquisitive, and very appealing pig. "May Sprig help people to see what wonderful individuals pigs […]

Featuring Top Ten Lists and stunning photos of history-making moments, these comprehensive pro soccer collections catalog the greatest international players and the greatest Americans. These are the perfect books for young sports fans eager to kick off their soccer schooling. Ann Killion has covered American sports for more than a quarter century. An award-winning columnist […]

Jane Gregory's mystifying second collection begins with a "Knock knock," inviting the reader into a realm where "Everything is a pattern / of yesses and no." Within these pages we find Gregory constructing a multivalent world—ripe with struggle, prophecy, and, by the end, a resemblance of hope. Using her highly-tuned sensibility throughout, Gregory guides us through […]

Nimona meets Adventure Time in this full-color graphic novel as a singing skeleton continues to search for his origins alongside his gelatin monster sidekick! Sunday, July 29, 2018 - 3:00pm Rickety Stitch is […]

Andrew Lawler presents The Secret Token: Myth, Obsession, and the Search for the Lost Colony of Roanoke, a sweeping account of America's oldest unsolved mystery, the people racing to unearth its answer, and […]

Thor Hanson Presents Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees, a natural and cultural history of the buzzing wee beasties that make the world go round.  "A wondrous, action-packed journey to discover the […]

Katie Henry Launch for Heretics Anonymous, her hilarious debut YA novel about a band of misfits who set out to challenge their strict Catholic school, one nun at a time. When Michael walks […]

One boy's search for his father leads him to Puerto Rico in this moving middle grade novel, for fans of Ghost and See You in the Cosmos. Marcus Vega is six feet tall, […]

Join us on first Fridays at 4:00pm to discuss our book of the month, enjoy snacks and make new friends. Each meeting will last one hour and end promptly at […]

Celebrating Ivy + Bean #11: One Big Happy Family. Ivy + Bean are back--and they're funnier than ever! Saturday, September 8, 2018 - 10:00am Meet author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie […]

Rebecca Clarren reads from her debut novel, Kickdown, a taut and moving novel of a family's struggle to sustain their land when fracking comes to the contemporary American West. "Deep, true, achingly […]

Rachel Neumann and Teen Subjects present I Am Home: Portraits of Immigrant Teenagers. To reserve your seat, please purchase a copy of I Am Home by speaking to a bookseller or ordering via […]

Eighteen-year-old Vera, eager to start college and escape the celebrity her family has endured since her twin's disappearance twelve years earlier, finds her world turned upside-down again when Ava returns. […]

Daniel Mason reads from his magnificent new novel, The Winter Soldier, a sweeping, unforgettable love story of a young doctor and nurse at a remote field hospital in the First World War. […]

Featuring queer librarians reading from their works: Gr Keer, CSU East Bay Andrew Demcak, Oakland Public Library Rebekah Eppley, Oakland Public Library

The spirited, heart-driven people who populate these stories find surprising pockets of hope as they scrabble for ways to believe in themselves and the world. A woman returns to the […]

Come celebrate the release of Aaron Southerland’s third graphic novel, SolForce: Alpha Kale! All ages welcome. Aaron Southerland, from Brooklyn, NY, currently works as a freelance art teacher & cartoonist in […]

Christopher Woods presents Gardenlust: A Botanical Tour of the World's Best New Gardens, a sumptuously illustrated survey and the perfect armchair travel guide to 50 of the most innovative modern gardens from […]

Launch for You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!, a novel that carries a strong social message as twelve-year-old Jilly learns how to support the marginalized people in her life when her […]

Juan Gabriel Vasquez reads from The Shape of the Ruins, his highly anticipated, deeply personal masterpiece that is being heralded as the most ambitious novel of his career. "A highly sophisticated, fast-moving […]

Miriam Pawel in Conversation with T.J. Stiles discussing The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty That Transformed a State and Shaped a Nation. "A remarkable book--a generational biography of a political dynasty, […]

Georgia Freedman Come meet the author of Cooking South of the Clouds: Recipes and Stories from China's Yunnan Province. "More than a cookbook, it's an intimate journey through culinary traditions almost […]

Jaap Robben in Conversation with Jeroen Dewulf reads from his award-winning novel, You Have Me to Love, an unforgettable story about lost childhood innocence, isolation, guilt and mother-son relationships. "An intense and […]

Jeffrey Meyers presents Resurrections: Authors, Heroes--and a Spy, portraits of writers and artists including Ian Watt, Paul Theroux, James Salter, and Anthony Blunt. " Intellectually stimulating . . . a portrait of the […]

Fox Butterfield presents In My Father's House: A New View of How Crime Runs in the Family, a pathbreaking examination of our huge crime and incarceration problem that looks at the influence […]

Leif Enger OFFSITE @ Rialto Cinemas Elmwood celebrating the publication of his wonderful new novel, Virgil Wander, much of which takes place in and around a beloved old movie theater not unlike our […]

Roshi Joan Halifax OFFSITE discusses Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet, with Gaetano Maida, sponsored by KPFA, St. John's Presbyterian Church, and Mindful Schools. Advance tickets: $12 : brownpapertickets.com :: […]

Vijaya Nagarajan presents Feeding a Thousand Souls: Women, Ritual and Ecology in India--An Exploration of the Kolam, the first comprehensive book in English on the kolam, a ritual rice flour drawing created by […]

Launch party for his terrific new novel The Dakota Winters, an evocative and wildly absorbing story about the Winters, a family living in New York City's famed Dakota apartment building in the year […]

"Perceptive, finely wrought....Hadley is a writer of the first order, and this novel gives her the opportunity to explore, with profound incisiveness and depth, the inevitable changes inherent to long-lasting […]

"a thrilling hybrid of a novel about the intricacies of family life and the inevitable handing down from one generation to the next of our deepest passions and pathologies. . […]

You've read all the expert advice, but despite countless efforts to help your child cope better and stay on track, you're still struggling with everyday issues like homework, chores, getting […]

Vandana Shiva and Vijaya Nagarajan OFFSITE In conversation on Women, Rituals, Ecology in India. Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, and alter-globalization author. Currently based […]

"Identity is frail business, and in her searing story, Dani Shapiro makes the most disquieting discovery: that everything, from her lineage, to her father, down to her very own sense […]

Alan Brennert reads from Daughter of Moloka'i, the sequel to his bestselling Moloka'i. Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 7:30pm

Katie Peterson in Conversation with Louise Gluck discussing her new book of poems A Piece of Good News. Dense, rich, and challenging, Katie Peterson's A Piece of Good News explores interior and exterior […]

Elinor Lipman returns to Mrs. Dalloway's to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, Good Riddance, in which one woman's trash becomes another woman's treasure, with deliriously entertaining results. A pitch-perfect, whip-smart new […]

The Retirement Center and Ashby Village are pleased to host Ashton Applewhite, activist and author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism,  a rousing manifesto against discrimination and prejudice on the basis […]

Launch party for her picture book The Yellow Suitcase, a touching story that celebrates grandparental love. "A thoughtful story that artfully addresses the loss of a grandparent from an immigrant perspective.” --Kirkus To […]

Joyce Carol Oates reads from her latest novel The Hazards of Time Travel, an ingenious, dystopian novel of one young woman's resistance against the constraints of an oppressive society. To reserve your […]

Kurt Eichenwald presents A Mind Unraveled: A Memoir, the compelling story of an acclaimed journalist and New York Times bestselling author's ongoing struggle with epilepsy-- his torturous decision to keep his condition a secret to […]

“The Orchid and the Dandelion is based on groundbreaking research that has the power to change the lives of countless children–and the adults who love them.”–Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power […]

"An irresistible, irrepressible comic saga. I utterly loved every page."--Anthony Marra To reserve your seat, purchase a copy of Oksana, Behave! by speaking to one of our booksellers or ordering on our website. […]

Carolyn Burke presents Foursome: Alfred Stieglitz, Georgia O'Keeffe, Paul Strand, Rebecca Salsbury, A captivating, spirited account of the intense relationship among four artists whose strong personalities, passionate feelings, and aesthetic ideals drew them […]

Namwali Serpell in Conversation with Yael Goldstein Love discussing Serpell's new novel The Old Drift, an electrifying debut that has already garnered three starred advance reviews and accolades from multiple writers. "Recalling […]

Lori Gottlieb presents Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed, currently being adapted for television with Eva Longoria and ABC. "If you have even […]

Timothy Hampton presents Bob Dylan's Poetics: How the Songs Work, a close examination of Bob Dylan's songs that locates his transgressive style within a long history of modern (and modernist) art. "A truly […]

Jacqueline Winspear returns to read from her fifteenth Maisie Dobbs novel, The American Agent, in which our beloved heroine investigates the mysterious murder of an American war correspondent in London during the Blitz in a […]

Sloane Tanen reads from her novel, There's a Word for That, a hilarious and moving chronicle of a wildly flawed family that comes together--in rehab, of all places--even as each member is […]

"This is no mere comics adaptation of an ancient classic. Through his intricately illustrated panels, Gareth Hinds brings us The Iliad's depth, brutality, and power. A Herculean effort worthy of […]

Ages 7 up! Jane Solomon and Tyler Schnoebelen in Conversation launching The Dictionary of Difficult Words: With More Than 400 Perplexing Words to Test Your Wits!  To reserve your seat, purchase a […]

Kids 8-12/ Susan Adrian in Conversation with Anne Nesbet discussing Adrian's new book, Forever Neverland, a contemporary sequel to J. M. Barrie's timeless classic Peter Pan. "A magical ode to childhood that updates the […]

Louise Aranson presents Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life, an essential, empathetic look at a vital but little respected stage of life. "In the latter years there are possibilities for joy, transcendence, […]

Bloomsday with Thomas Lynch reading from Chapter Ten of James Joyce's Ulysses recalling Dublin on June 16, 1904. Join us for Guinness, Irish soda bread and cheer! Bring Dad! Sunday, June […]

Brandon Brown presents The Apollo Chronicles: Engineering America's First Moon Missions, a uniquely earthbound story of space travel that follows a handful of surviving engineers from the time through their longest […]

Tucker Malarkey returns to present Stronghold: One Man's Quest to Save the World's Wild Salmon, the story of Guido Rahr, a passionate and eccentric environmentalist who has single-mindedly dedicated his life to […]

J. Ryan Stradal reads from his much-anticipated The Lager Queen of Minnesota, a novel of family, Midwestern values, hard work, fate, and the secrets of making a world-class beer, from the author […]

Alexander Tilney in Conversation with Katharine Dion discussing Tilney's new novel, The Expectations, "a deeply resonant, brilliantly nuanced meditation on privilege, social ambition, and the folly (and cruelty) of youth."--Kate […]

Neil Shister in Conversation with Harley Dubois discussing Radical Ritual: How Burning Man Changed the World. "An all-in history of, and love letter to, this one-of-a-kind event. If you've been […]

Kids 12 up! Elizabeth Lim reads from Spin the Dawn, a sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor […]

Meg Waite Clayton returns to launch The Last Train to London, a beautifully rendered novel centering on the Kindertransports that carried thousands of children out of Nazi-occupied Europe--and one brave woman who helped them escape […]

To reserve your seat, please purchase a copy of Running Wild by speaking to a bookseller or clicking on the cover below. Twelve-year-old Willa and her twin brothers have survived with their […]

Kids 4-8! Mac Barnett & Greg Pizzoli launch their new books Hi, Jack! and Jack Blasts Off, a funny early reader series about a mischievous rabbit, a cranky old lady, and a lovable dog […]

NaNoWriMo's Grant Faulkner, Rebecca Stern and Laura Bradley launch Brave the Page, the official NaNoWriMo handbook that inspires young people to tackle audacious goals and complete their creative projects. To reserve […]

Bonnie Tsui & other Writers Grotto members host an interactive party/workshop inaugurating a new series for writers: LIT STARTS. Writing Action is the focus of this evening, with Foreword author Bonnie […]

Peter Dale Scott and Freeman Ng present Poetry and Terror: Politics and Poetics in Coming to Jakarta, a study at many levels of Scott's long poem Coming to Jakarta. To reserve your seat, […]

E.R. Razmipoor OFFSITE presenting The Ventriloquists, her much-anticipated debut novel inspired by true events, about a ragtag gang of journalists and resistance fighters risking everything for an elaborate scheme to undermine […]

Jean Fruth & Jeff Idelson present Grassroots Baseball: Where Legends Begin. The evening includes a presentation by photographer Jean Fruth and retiring National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson, on some of the legends in […]

L. John Harris launches his delightful new book, Café French: A Flâneur’s Guide to the Language, Lore and Food of the Paris Café.  "L. John Harris's amusing and instructive book distills […]

Matt Maiocco, Brad Mangin & Brian Murphy present Letters to 87: Fans Remember the Legacy of Dwight Clark, a coffee table book featuring heartfelt letters from fans of the San Francisco […]

Prerna Lal launching Unsung America: Immigrant Trailblazers and Our Fight for Freedom. Please join us for a most timely discussion. "Deeply insightful and intentionally detailed--Prerna Lal has conceived a text […]

Lawrence Weschler presents And How Are You, Dr. Sacks? A Biographical Memoir of Oliver Sacks, the untold story of the famous neurologist, his own most singular patient. "The story of Lawrence Weschler's faithful […]

To reserve your seat, please purchase a copy of Without Her in advance by speaking to a bookseller or clicking on the cover below. When her old friend Hannah doesn't show […]

Raina Telgemeier OFFSITE TICKETED EVENT presents Guts, a true story from the bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts. Telgemeier once again brings a thoughtful, charming, and funny tale about growing up and gathering […]

Saturday, November 9, 2019 - 10:00am to Monday, November 11, 2019 - 6:00pm Once again, Mrs. Dalloway's will reimburse all partnership schools for 17% of total pre-tax purchases made by the school community from Saturday, November […]

Peter Jan Honigsberg launches his new book A Place Outside the Law: Forgotten Voices of Guantánamo, containing firsthand testimonies from Guantánamo Bay, inspiring future generations to never repeat the human rights […]

Elaine Sciolino in Conversation with Thad Carhart (and introduced by L. John Harris) discussing Sciolino's new book The Seine: The River that Made Paris. A soulful, transformative voyage along the […]

Tickets $12 advance at Mrs. Dalloway's or through brownpapertickets.com. Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - 7:30pm In 2014, Ian Haney López in Dog Whistle Politics named and explained the coded racial appeals exploited […]

George Lakey Workshop with Kazu Haga OFFSITE conducts a workshop based on his most recent book, How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning, with Kazu Haga, founder of the […]

Joan Frank Doubleheader! Joan Frank launches two prize-winning new books: Where You're All Going, a quartet of novellas, winner of the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, and Try to Get […]

Elizabeth Tallent launches Scratched: A Memoir of Perfectionism, her bold and brilliant exploration of the ferocious desire for perfection which has shaped her writing life as well as her rich, dramatic, […]

In this beautiful and empowering book, Jennifer Jewell—host of public radio’s award-winning program and podcast Cultivating Place—introduces 75 inspiring women. Working in wide-reaching fields that include botany, floral design, landscape architecture, […]

The astonishing but forgotten story of an immigrant sweatshop worker who married an heir to a great American fortune and became one of the most charismatic radical leaders of her […]

Jane Hirshfield reads from her new volume of poetry Ledger, a book of personal, ecological, and political reckoning from the internationally renowned poet named "among the modern masters" (Washington Post). From one of […]

Bonnie Tsui presents Why We Swim, "a beautifully written love letter to water and a fascinating story" (Rebecca Skloot). To reserve your seat, please purchase a copy of Why We Swim by speaking […]

Elizabeth Wetmore in Conversation with Sylvia Brownriggdiscussing Wetmore's marvelous debut novel, Valentine. Friday, April 17, 2020 - 7:30pm

On January 21st Vintage Berkeley is hosting Jonathan Lethem, one of America's greatest writers (Motherless Brooklyn, et many al) to discuss his book The Arrest while we drink wines paired to the book! (You can get a white, a red, or both!)