UPDATE: Our author visits now take many forms: live in-store; at venues around the community; virtual; and hybrid. Virtual events -- Rakestraw Books "Live at Home" -- and virtual children's events will be presented via Zoom. Thanks for your support of these vibrant and worthwhile literary conversations. Although we make every effort to ensure that the information below is accurate, occasionally dates and times may change. We always recommend calling ahead to confirm. Our phone number is (925) 837-7337.
We also present a dynamic mix of book groups -- eight at last count! For more information about those groups, click here.
March 2023
3/1 - Rakestraw Books will be presenting a special in-person author visit with award-winning novelist Rebecca Makkai. During her visit at Wednesday, 1 March 2023 at 7 PM, Makkai will be sharing her new novel, I Have Some Questions for You. In-Person. RSVP by calling the shop at (925) 837-7337.
3/4 - We are thrilled to be working with several other wonderful independent bookshops to present a special virtual event with Katherine May (author of Wintering) on Saturday, 4 March 2023 at 2 PM (PST). During this event Katherine will be discussing her new book, Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age, with renowned essayist Pico Iyer. Virtual. Free. RSVP details to follow.
3/6 - Memoirist Will Schwalbe visits on Monday, 6 March at 7 PM to share his powerful new book, We Should Not Be Friends. In-Person. RSVP by calling the shop at (925) 837-7337.
3/12 - Booker Prize-winning novelist Eleanor Catton (The Luminaries) joins us for a special virtual event on Sunday, 12 March 2023 at 2 PM (PST). During this special visit Eleanor will be discussing her new book, Birnam Wood, with novelist Justin Torres. Virtual. Free. RSVP details to follow.
3/16 - Debut picture book author and illustrator Tim Fite is bringing his hilarious and thought provoking Bucket of Questions presentation to local schools on Thursday, 16 March. While the events are not open to the public, consider a signed and personalized copy of this engaging book for young people in your life.
3/21 - Novelist Liam Callanan returns to Rakestraw on Tuesday, 21 March at 7 PM to share his new novel, When in Rome. In-Person. RSVP by calling the shop at (925) 837-7337.
3/25 - Story time with author Dashka Slater and her newest picture book, Wild Blue. In-person at the store at 10:30 AM.
3/28 - DOG MAN PARTY! Join us at 4:00 PM to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of the newest "Dog Man" book - Ten Thousand Fleas Under the Sea. Books! Prizes! Snacks! In-Person.
3/29 - KITTY-CORN STORYTIME! Author Shannon Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham are presenting Party Hearty Kitty-Corn on Wed March 29 at 4 PM in the store. In-Person.
3/29 - Rakestraw Books will be presenting a special in-person author visit with beloved mystery novelist Jacqueline Winspear. During her visit on Wednesday, 29 March at 7 PM, Winspear will be sharing her new novel, The White Lady. In-Person. RSVP by calling the shop at (925) 837-7337.
April 2023
4/1 - We're kicking off April with a special virtual event with bestselling novelist Sebastian Barry on Saturday, 1 April 2023 at 9:30 AM. He will join us from his home in Ireland to share his marvelous new novel, Old God's Time, with Booker Prize-winning novelist Damon Galgut (The Promise). Virtual. Free. RSVP details to follow.
4/13 - Rakestraw Books will be presenting a special in-person author visit with longtime bookstore favorite Alka Joshi. Many of you have read and loved her novels, The Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur. During her visit on Thursday, 13 April at 7 PM she will be sharing her fine new novel, The Perfumist of Paris. Details to follow.
4/14 - We look forward to bringing authors Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russell and their Baxter Family books to San Ramon Valley Christian Academy for a virtual classroom visit. While this event is closed to the public, we have signed bookplates -- signed books make great gifts for cousins and neighbors!
4/18 - We are beyond thrilled to welcome Jeanette Walls back to Rakestraw Books on Tuesday, 18 April at 7 PM. During this visit she will be sharing her new novel, Hang the Moon (Susan has already read it and loved it!). Details to follow.
4/20 - Picture book author Meg Fleming returns with her newest hilarious, rhyming picture book, I Live in a Tree Trunk. We're taking her to 3 local schools. While the events are not open to the public, consider signed and personalized copies of her engaging books for young people in your life.
4/20 - J. Ryan Stradal, one of our longtime favorites, returns to Rakestraw Books on Thursday, 20 April at noon to share his fine new book, Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club. Details to follow.
4/24 - Novelist Susan Meissner returns to Rakestraw Books (it'll be her first in-person visit!) on Monday, 24 April at 7 PM to share her new novel, Only the Beautiful. Details to follow.
4/26 - Caldecott Award-winning author / illustrator Brian Selznick returns to Rakestraw Books on Wednesday, April 26 to introduce his newest masterpiece, Big Tree. Bring your whole family! The event will be in person and off-site. Details to follow.
4/29 - We are planning all sorts of fun for our celebration of Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, 29 April 2023.
May 2023
5/4 and 5/5 - Dungeoneer Adventures are back! Authors / illustrators Ben Costa and James Parks return to local schools to share the newest installment in this exciting series, Dungeoneer Adventures #2: Wrath of the Exiles.
5/12 - Bestselling writer (and longtime Rakestraw favorite) Simon Winchester returns to Rakestraw Books on Friday, 12 May 2023 at 7 PM to share his brilliant new book, Knowing What We Know: The Transmission of Knowledge: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Magic. Details to follow.
June 2023
6/3 - SAVE THE DATE! This year's Book Group Festival (our 13th!) will take place on Saturday, 3 June 2023 at 9.30am. This year's author guest of honor will be longtime Rakestraw Books favorite Steven Rowley who will be sharing his wonderful new novel, The Celebrants. Details to follow!
View our schedule of upcoming events as a monthly calendar by clicking HERE.