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Books

Satisfy your literary passions with all things books, libraries and events.

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Attendees browse books at the 2026 KPBS San Diego Book Festival at the University of San Diego on Aug. 22, 2026.
Natalie Dudas-Thomas
/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
KPBS San Diego Book Festival brings readers together as 2026 One Book, One San Diego selections are announced
Julia Dixon Evans
Arts & Culture
Top 5 weekend arts picks in San Diego: Book festival, Filipino folk dance, punk music and more
Julianna Domingo
Simon & Schuster
Arts & Culture
In 'Etna,' a canine narrator delivers a poignant anti-war message
Maureen Corrigan
Margaret Noble
Arts & Culture
Top 10 weekend arts events in San Diego: Queen Califia's Magical Circle at night, 'Lovers in a Park' and more
Julia Dixon Evans
A view of the San Diego Public Library, Sept. 9, 2016.
KPBS Staff
Arts & Culture
Library Foundation SD urges parents to pick up free library cards
City News Service
Helena Westra @ CCAE
Arts & Culture
Top 10 weekend arts events in San Diego: Cat videos, John Cage and an Okinawan guardian beast
Julia Dixon Evans
Penguin Random House
Arts & Culture
'Country People' is a silly, satisfying midsummer romp
Maureen Corrigan
NPR
Arts & Culture
13 new books in August will get you through the dog days of summer
Colin Dwyer
Copies of the novel Taiwan Travelogue, which received the International Booker Prize this year, are seen at a bookstore in Taipei on May 21, 2026.
I-HWA CHENG
/
AFP via Getty Images
International
'Taiwan Travelogue' rethinks history, colonialism, and identity
Jan Camenzind Broomby
KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando enjoyed the group cosplay featuring her friend Shane Holly as Sauron. His menacing Nazgûl entourage included Patrick Porter, John Toft, Jen and James Bosecker, Brian Johnson and Alex Villagran.
Courtesy of Image Qwest Photography
Arts & Culture
Why I love Comic-Con: Reflections from a longtime fan after the 2026 convention
Beth Accomando
Classicist and translator Emily Wilson published a critical review of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey in the London Review of Books. Wilson has loved Greek myths since childhood and has translated both the Iliad and Odyssey. She has tattoos of a spear on one leg and a bow on the other — she says they represent Achilles and Odysseus.
Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania via Liveright Publishing
Arts & Culture
'Odyssey' translator Emily Wilson says Nolan shouldn't have written the movie himself
Dave Davies
Author Matt Dinniman and audiobook narrator Jeff Hays attend the "Level-Up Lounge" activation in downtown San Diego on July 25, 2026.
Courtesy of Megan Lugouri
/
CIVIC
Arts & Culture
'Dungeon Crawler Carl' creator says Peacock series will stay true to the books' tone
Leslie Gonzalez

KPBS Midday Edition Segments

The cover for the book, "Chancla" is seen side-by-side with a headshot of author Leslie Priscilla in this undated graphic.
Yaquelin Hernandez
KPBS Midday Edition
'Chancla' invites Latinx readers to embrace nonviolent parenting
Jade Hindmon
Ashley Rusch
Julianna Domingo
"Mom Needs a Moment" and
Artisan Publicity, Julie Ertl
KPBS Midday Edition
'Mom Needs a Moment' and 'Humor Me' join dozens of titles at San Diego Book Festival
Jade Hindmon
Ashley Rusch
A sea of fog advances on the Golden Gate Bridge during a late winter twilight in 2016. On Saturday the operators of FogCam said the long-running webcam at San Francisco State University will sunset "forever" at the end of August.
Marcio Jose Sanchez
/
AP
KPBS Midday Edition
Going beyond the mythology of California history
Jade Hindmon
Andrew Bracken
San Diego rap artist "Big June" sits for an interview for "The California Story" in this undated photograph.
David Kuhn
KPBS Midday Edition
'California Story' documentary explores the impact of gang laws on San Diego
Andrew Bowen
Julianna Domingo
Stacks of thriller novels can be seen in this undated graphic from the New York Times for its "50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century" list.
New York Times
KPBS Midday Edition
What are the best thrillers of the 21st century? Plus, FilmOut and weekend arts
Andrew Bowen
Julianna Domingo
Ashley Rusch
Julia Masli interacting with the audience in "Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha." (2026)
La Jolla Playhouse
KPBS Midday Edition
'Under the Perfect Sun' to be highlighted at KPBS Book Festival
Jade Hindmon
Julianna Domingo
Andrew Bracken
University of San Diego professor and founder of the Border Design Lab, Adriana Cuéllar, holds up her book, "Alas al Borde: Borderland Wings" in the KPBS social media studio, July 30, 2026.
Tammy Murga
/
KPBS
KPBS Midday Edition
New bilingual children's book teaches about ecology at the border
Jade Hindmon
Tammy Murga
Julianna Domingo
Ashley Rusch
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Port of San Diego Commissioners approved naming an unnamed beach at Spanish Landing Park on Harbor Drive to “Kumeyaay Beach.”
Courtesy of the Port of San Diego
Racial Justice and Social Equity
Unnamed beach at Spanish Landing Park named Kumeyaay Beach
Tammy Murga
Jade Hindmon
Surfer Andy Zirzow (left) and Waves4All founder John White (right) enjoy a day in the water. (undated photo)
Courtesy of Waves4All
KPBS Midday Edition
Disability pride, from adaptive surfing to wheelchair dancing
Jade Hindmon
Ashley Rusch
KPBS Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon (right) interviews Elder Sheldon First Rider (left) and Johnny Bear Contreras (center) live from Comic-Con 2026.
Andrew Bracken
KPBS Midday Edition
Live from Comic-Con 2026!
Jade Hindmon
Julianna Domingo
Ashley Rusch
Andrew Bracken

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Blue hues and futuristic details define one attendee's cyberpunk-inspired cosplay during Comic-Con on July 24, 2026.
Matthew Bowler
/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
Comic-Con 2026 cosplay brings fantasy, fandom and fun to life
KPBS Staff
Arts & Culture
San Diego weekend arts events: O'Keeffe and Moore, climate art and Mother's Day
Julia Dixon Evans
In 2011 there was a display on the exhibit floor where Godzilla and his friends were having a kaiju battle royale at the Convention Center. July 23, 2011
Beth Accomando
/
KPBS
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12 videos to get you excited about Comic-Con
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Travis Rhett Wilson appears as Edgar Allan Poe and performs Poe's "The Raven" at this year's PoeFest from Write Out Loud.
Ron Logan
Local
PoeFest returns for another immersive experience at Villa Montezuma Museum
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Winner of the Most Beautiful Award at Comic-Con International's 2016 Masquerade, “Cleopatra,” (re-creation from the 1963 Elizabeth Taylor film), worn and made by Devon Jopling. Not all costuming is about superheroes.
J. Randolph
/
San Diego Comic Con
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Comic-Con panel recommendations for Saturday
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The covers of "Life in the Key of G," "Because Fat Girl," "Simone," and "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" are shown in a collage.
Blackstone Publishing, Entangled Publishing, Penguin Random House, Macmillan Publishers.
Arts & Culture
5 book events in San Diego this fall
Julianna Domingo
"Sky to a Machine," by Adrian Huth, is a 54" x 54" work of oil and acrylic paint on canvas, and will be on view through March 11, 2023 at BFree Studio in La Jolla.
Adrian Huth
Arts & Culture
San Diego weekend arts events: AI-informed art, Tomeka Reid, Kelsey Brookes and more
Julia Dixon Evans
Sergio Hernández's "Anteater" painting is shown in a Jan. 25, 2023 photo at San Diego Museum of Art, in his solo exhibition, "Embers of Oaxaca." The work depicts the artist's longtime fascination with the animal he refers to as his "nahual," an animal spirit guide in Mesoamerican indigenous culture. SDMA executive director Roxana Velasquez said the artist has gifted this piece to the museum's permanent collection.
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/
KPBS
Arts & Culture
San Diego weekend arts events: A Oaxacan festival, piano music, hygge, 'The Ferryman' and more
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Detail of Cecilia Wong Kaiser's "Into the Blue," painting, shown in an undated photo. Kaiser's new solo exhibition is on view at La Jolla's BFree Studio through Feb. 5, 2023.
Cecilia Wong Kaiser
/
BFree Studio
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San Diego weekend arts events: 'Blue Sky' thinking, 'Blush and Blink,' harp music and Lunar New Year festivities
Julia Dixon Evans
Memoir covers of Rupaul, Dylan Mulvaney and Mark Hoppus are shown in this graphic on April 18, 2025.
HarperCollins, Abram Books
Arts & Culture
Drag, punk and TikTok stardom: Memoirs from RuPaul, Mark Hoppus and Dylan Mulvaney get personal
Leslie Gonzalez
Detail of the cover for Chris Baron's new novel, "Spark." The cover illustration is by artist Tom Cole.
Feiwel & Friends / Macmillan
Arts & Culture
San Diego author Chris Baron brings 'Spark' of hope in new middle-grade novel
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San Diego weekend arts events: Aklasan Fest, new visual art, Peter Heller and more
Julia Dixon Evans
Upcoming Events
Free for everyone
Meet Chris Ryall, Comic Books Publisher

Author Talk: Meet Chris Ryall, Comic Books Publisher

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM
University Heights Library
Free
Free for everyone
Pedro Martín Presents Mexikid Dreams

Pedro Martín Presents 'Mexikid Dreams'

Friday, September 18, 2026 at 4:30 PM
San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common
Free
The cast of "The Festival of American Literary Heroes"

Write out Loud Presents The Festival of American Literary Heroes

Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 10 AM to 3 PM
Dottie Studio Theater - The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center
Festival tickets are only $40
Kristin Hannah Discussing 'The Women' with Dean Nelson

Kristin Hannah Discussing 'The Women' with Dean Nelson

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM
Brown Chapel - Point Loma Nazarene University
$23 - $33
Poetry II: Free Verse, Lyric Poetry and Narrative Poetry

Poetry II: Free Verse, Lyric Poetry & Narrative Poetry

Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 1 PM
Ongoing until December 12, 2026
Virtual
$270-$315
Book Marketing for Authors

Book Marketing for Authors

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Ongoing until September 23, 2026
Virtual
$162 to 189
(Online) Wednesday Evening Book Club with Rebecca Li

(Online) Wednesday Evening Book Club with Rebecca Li

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 from 6 PM to 7 PM
Inspirations Gallery (San Diego Writers, Ink)
$15
"I Only Have A Day" book cover

Robert Martindale discusses and signs 'I Only Have a Day'

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Del Mar Plaza
Erin French discussing "THE LOST KITCHEN vol.3"

Erin French discussing 'The Lost Kitchen vol.3'

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 7 PM
University of San Diego Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
Free for everyone

Small Press Nite, Vol. 16

This event is in the past.
Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 7 PM to 9 PM
The Book Catapult
Free

Discover More Stories

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Film
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Museum a Month
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Music
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Pop Culture
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Theater
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Visual Arts
FOMO
Check out can't-miss local events
The Soto Six Plays the Music of Jeff Lorber

The Soto Six Plays the Music of Jeff Lorber

Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 8 PM
Dizzy's Jazz
$15-20
Super Girl Surf Festival Concert

Super Girl Surf Festival Concert

Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 12 PM
Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre
0-$268.29
Free for everyone
A toast to the Spreckels Organ

Spreckels 38th Annual Summer Organ Festival Presents Piano & Organ Concert

Monday, August 24, 2026 from 7:30 PM to 9 PM
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free
Women In Music Night

Women in Music SD

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7 PM
Ongoing until December 24, 2026
The Music Company
Free for everyone

Golden Island Presents: Charlie Arbelaez SD Quartet - Dim Sum & Jazz CCLXVII

Friday, August 28, 2026 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Golden Island Dim Sum & Asian Cuisine
Free
Free for everyone
North City’s Dancing in the Street Series - Salsa Night

North City’s Dancing in the Street Series Returns with Salsa Night

Friday, August 28, 2026 from 6 PM to 8 PM
North City
Free
'the wulfeater'

'the wulfeater' - interactive musical theater experience

Friday, August 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Ongoing until September 18, 2026
Tenth Avenue Arts Center
$36 to $62
Muse

Muse: The Wow! Signal Tour

Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 7 PM
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
From $67
Pacific Soul Jazz Festival

Pacific Soul Jazz Festival

Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 12 PM
Ongoing until September 6, 2026
UC San Diego's Epstein Family Amphitheater
$40 - $275
Brandi Carlile: The Human Tour

Brandi Carlile: The Human Tour

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 6 PM
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
$92-$614
Surfer's Point LIVE Pop-Up Concert Series at Del Mar Fairgrounds

Surfer's Point LIVE Pop-Up Concert Series

Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 6 PM
Ongoing until October 2, 2026
Del Mar Fairgrounds
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