The 13th annual Florence Festival of Books returns to Florence, Oregon on Saturday, September 29th from 10am-4pm with an expanded and updated festival for all of the Oregon Coast’s book lovers. Join authors, editors, publishers and other book lovers at the Florence Events Center at the event, facilitated by the nonprofit Florence Arts, Culture and Entertainment and staffed by a team of volunteers. Enjoy workshops, over 30 exhibits, children’s activities, readings, book sales, author meet-ups, a keynote address by Dr. Scott Donaldson, a panel led by Ken Babbs of the Merry Pranksters and the “Further” Bus, and more. There will also be a host-free coffee and pastry bar open from 9am-4pm, and lunch will be available from 11am-2pm. Admission starts at $2 for basic admission and goes up to $10 for all-access passes. Students under 18 are admitted free.
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Earlier this month, the High Desert Museum in Bend will launch its new Indigenous Speakers Series to celebrate Native culture and knowledge. This series will showcase a range of Native artists, storytellers, scientists and others, and provide the community with an opportunity to engage with Native perspectives. On Sunday, October 6, New York Times bestselling author Angeline Boulley will speak about her 38-year journey to publication at “Stories are Good Medicine.” On Friday, September 14, “Sensing Sasquatch Artist Mingle” will offer visitors an informal meet-and-greet with the Native artists behind the museum’s works. Feel Sasquatch Exhibition. Tickets for the series start at around $15, but may vary depending on event date and specifications.
Week 1: 1 to 7 September
Brian Belefant: “Sultan of Garbage”
- Presented by Annie Bloom’s Books
- 7pm Tuesday, September 3
- Annie Bloom’s Books
- 7834 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland
- Free
Brian Belefant, award-winning author and screenwriter, will read from his latest release, Sultan of Garbage. In his novel, a photographer named Alex Jamieson charters a yacht to head to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch after deciding to change his life. He takes his disinterested girlfriend and superficial friends with him and ultimately endures their betrayal as he tries to establish order, improve his mindset, and reflect on the wastefulness of our society.
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Poetry reading: Carlos Reyes and Jennifer Richter
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- Presented by Annie Bloom’s Books
- 7pm Thursday, September 5
- Annie Bloom’s Books
- 7834 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland
- Free
Carlos Reyes, three-time National Poetry Series finalist and Pushcart Prize nominee, is scheduled to read from his sixteenth collection of poems, The empty chairs in February. The new collection has been called “sweet, simple, and satisfying.” Reyes will spend the evening with Jennifer Richter, winner of the Tenth Gate Prize, finalist for the Oregon Book Award, and lecturer in the MFA program at Oregon State University, and from Dear FutureHer collection of poems deals with themes such as danger, awe and mortality, offering the reader “a new perspective”.
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Daniel J. Levitin: “I heard there was a secret chord”
- Presented by Powell’s Books
- 7pm Friday, September 6
- Powell’s City of Books
- 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland
- Free
Daniel J. Levitin, author, neuroscientist and award-winning musician, will appear in Powell’s City of Books and I heard there was a secret chord. In his nonfiction book, Levitin examines the healing effects of music and discusses why it is considered an effective therapy. He cites studies on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression, and pain. He argues that music can be an effective therapy and examines music theory and history through interviews with musicians such as Sting, Kent Nagano, and Mari Kodama.
Week 2: 8-14 September
Chris La Tray in conversation with Sierra Crane Murdoch
- Presented by Powell’s Books
- 7pm Monday, September 9
- Powell’s City of Books
- 1005 W Burnside St., Portland
- Free
Author Chris La Tray reads from Become Little Shella personal and historical book about family, storytelling and the search for home. The book chronicles his journey as he learns about his family and heritage and discovers the complex history of Indigenous communities and the impact of colonialism that has touched generations. Through conversations with Indigenous authors, activists, elders and historians, La Tray learns to embrace his identity. He is accompanied by Sierra Crane Murdoch, author of Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman’s Search for Justice in Indian Country.
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Eve Driver in conversation with Erica Berry
- Presented by Broadway Books
- 7pm Monday, September 9
- Broadway Books
- 1714 NE Broadway, Portland
- Free
Author Eve Driver reads from her latest book, What we cannot burn: friendship and friction in the fight for our energy futurea memoir of friendship, written in two different voices. The book deals with growing up in Kenya and the United States and the importance of tackling life with someone special. Driver is accompanied by Erica Berry, writer, teacher and author of Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell about Fear.
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Steve Duda: “River Songs: Moments of Wild Wonder in Fly Fishing”
- Presented by Roundabout Books
- 18:30 Thursday, September 12
- Roundabout Books & Café
- 900 NW Mt. Washington Dr. Suite #110, Bend
- Free
Steve Duda, author, educator and director of Fish Tales at Patagonia, reads from Songs from the rivera collection of stories about the outdoors. With a focus on fly fishing, Duda’s new book describes moments that influenced his perspective and inspired him to be receptive to the landscape. He explores themes of excitement, frustration, joy and doubt as he describes the slow process of tying knots, casting flies and all that goes into fishing on the river, hoping his words inspire awe in others.
Week 3: 15-21 September
Judith Barrington: “Virginia’s Apple: Collected Memoirs”
- Presented by Broadway Books
- 6pm Wednesday, September 18
- Broadway Books
- 1714 NE Broadway, Portland
- Free
Judith Barrington, winner of the Lambda Literary Award and finalist for the PEN/Martha Albrand Award for the Art of Memoir, will be at Broadway Books for a reading of “The Book Release.” Virginia’s Apple: Collected Memories. In 14 collected memoirs, Barrington delves into an interconnected world of feminism, wilderness, surprises, love affairs, moving, murder, aging, and other themes, exploring how light and loss can coexist and shape one’s life.
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Bill Donahue: “Unbound”
- Presented by Rowman & Littlefield
- 7pm Saturday, 21 September
- Floyd’s Coffee House & Wine Bar
- 1996 SE Ladd Ave., Portland
- Free
Bill Donahue will appear at Floyd’s Coffee House & Wine Bar to read from his new collection, Unbound. The book is a collection of endurance sport stories spanning five continents and written over the past 20 years. It includes profiles of sporting greats, interviews and personal accounts of cycling, cross-country skiing and more. Seating is limited and early arrival is recommended.
Week 4: 22-30 September
Author reading: Lydia Kiesling
- Presented by Broadway Books
- 6pm Monday, 23 September
- Broadway Books
- 1714 NE Broadway, Portland
- Free
Lydia Kiesling, author from Portland The Golden Statewill read from her book published in 2023, mobilityin honor of its paperback publication. mobilitywhich examines class, power and politics in 1981 from the perspective of a woman named Bunny Glenn, was longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize 2024 and was published by Time, vulture, slateAnd LitHub. Books can be purchased after the reading.
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Edward Burns: “A Boy from Marlboro Road”
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- Presented by Powell’s Books
- 7pm Tuesday, September 24
- Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
- 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton
- Free
Edward Burns, actor, filmmaker and author, reads from his debut novel A child from Marlboro Road. This family-centered story is told from the perspective of a 12-year-old Irish-American boy grappling with death, growing up, and understanding sadness. Set in the Bronx, Hell’s Kitchen, and Long Island, Burns’ book explores a familiarly bustling New York through the endearing lens of warmth, joy, mischievousness, and Americana.
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Connie Chung in conversation
- Presented by Literary Arts
- 19:30 Wednesday, 25 September
- Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
- 1037 SW Broadway Portland
- $25 to $90
Connie Chung, the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News and the second woman to ever anchor a network evening show, will read from her memoirs: Connie. Chung will detail her career and experiences as the first Asian woman to succeed in her male-dominated field, and reveal the intimate details of her life as a pioneer. From discussing the support of her husband, Maury Povich, to recounting run-ins with powerful men, Chung gives readers a glimpse into her past four and a half decades. Event tickets for select categories include a book in the purchase price.
