Pop-Up: NBF presents Charif Shanahan & Justin Torres

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

2023 National Book Award nominees Charif Shanahan and Justin Torres pop-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries. Shanahan will share his poetry collection, Trace Evidence, and Torres will share his novel, Blackouts.

The Future: Naomi Alderman

Portland'5: Newmark Theatre 1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

Omar El Akkad interviews Naomi Alderman about her new novel, a dazzling tour de force where a handful of friends plot a daring heist to save the world from the tech giants whose greed threatens life as we know it.

Going Home: Nicole Chung & Navied Mahdavian

Portland'5: Winningstad Theatre 1111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

From bestselling author Nicole Chung is a searing memoir of family, class and grief, and a daughter’s search to understand the lives her adoptive parents led, the life she forged as an adult, and the lives she’s lost. New Yorker cartoonist Navied Mahdavian's debut is a gorgeously illustrated and written graphic memoir about belonging, identity, and making a home in the remote American West. Moderated by Mat Johnson. 

Inheritance: E. J. Koh & Ayana Mathis

First Congregational United Church of Christ 1126 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

From South Korea to the American South, two multi-generational novels explore inheritance, grief, and family. E. J. Koh's debut novel is an elegantly wrought family saga of memory, trauma, and empathy, and a stunning testament to the consequences and fortunes of inheritance. From the best-selling author Ayana Mathis, a searing multi-generational new novel—set in the 1980s in racially and politically turbulent Philadelphia and in the tiny town of Bonaparte, Alabama—about a mother fighting for her sanity and survival. Moderated by Chelsea Bieker.

The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom

The Judy: Judy Stage 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

Award-winning creators Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris are back with the second volume in the bestselling The First Cat in Space graphic novel series! Secret tales of woe, hilarious new characters, and dangerous plans of sabotage will keep readers delighted and laughing until the thrilling climax.

Past & Present: Oliver de la Paz & Paisley Rekdal

Portland'5: Brunish Theatre 111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Oliver de la Paz eloquently invokes the perseverance and myth of the Filipino diaspora in America. Paisley Rekdal draws a powerful, necessary connection between the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the Chinese Exclusion Act. Moderated by Eric Tran.

Survival Skills: Kathleen Alcott & Vauhini Vara

Portland Art Museum: Miller Gallery 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, United States

Two thrilling new story collections from Kathleen Alcott and Vauhini Vara. Moderated by Kimberly King Parsons (Black Light).

Family Misadventure: Pedro Martín & Zachary Sterling

The Judy: Judy Cinema 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Pedro Martín's unforgettable graphic memoir is about a Mexican-American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico to live with them. Zachary Sterling's graphic novel is about first-generation Filipino siblings who have to fine out if they can save the world and still work their family food truck. Moderated by Aron Nels Steinke.

Juniper’s Christmas: Eoin Colfer

First Congregational United Church of Christ 1126 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Eoin Colfer, author of the acclaimed, mega-bestselling Artemis Fowl series, discusses his new novel with Heidi Schulz.

Think Out Loud: Brooklyn Crime Novel

Portland'5: Newmark Theatre 1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

Dave Miller interviews Jonathan Lethem, about his new novel, a sweeping story of community, crime, and gentrification, tracing more than fifty years of life in one Brooklyn neighborhood.

This Life: Patrick deWitt & Lydia Kiesling

Portland Art Museum: Miller Gallery 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, United States

A study of character studies. From Patrick deWitt comes the story of Bob Comet, a man who has lived his life through and for literature, unaware that his own experience is a poignant and affecting narrative in itself. Lydia Kiesling's new novel is a propulsive and challenging story about class, power, politics, and desire told through the life of one woman—her social milieu, her romances, her unarticulated wants. Moderated by Daniel Nieh.

Language & Life: Jane Hirshfield & Major Jackson

Portland'5: Winningstad Theatre 1111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Jane Hirshfield, the author of “some of the most important poetry in the world today”, and Major Jackson, an acclaimed poet and preeminent voice in contemporary literature. Moderated by Matthew Zapruder.

Freeman’s Conclusions: What Does it Mean to Come to an End?  

Portland'5: Brunish Theatre 111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Celebrate the tenth and final installment of the boundary-pushing literary journal, which explores all the ways of coming to an end. Featuring editor John Freeman and contributors Omar El Akkad, Debra Gwartney, and Sasha LaPointe.

Readers Night: Celebrating Portland Book Festival

Portland Art Museum: Mark Building 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR, United States

Support the Portland Book Festival by joining us for an exclusive peek of the exhibitor fair. Enjoy complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres and treat your shelf with early access to the many book sellers and vendors!

Opening Singalong with Emily Arrow

The Judy: Judy Cinema 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Start your festival day with a singalong from picture book host Emily Arrow!

Magic: Piper CJ and Jenna Lee-Yun

The Judy: Black Box 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Stories of magic and suspense, featuring Piper CJ and Jenna Lee-Yun and moderated by Kate Ristau.

Show Up and Vote: Ani DiFranco

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

From the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, political activist, and feminist icon comes a story of connectedness and collective responsibility, as told through the eyes of a young child going to vote for the first time.

The Princess in Black & the Kitty Catastrophe

The Judy: Judy Stage 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

Award-winning husband-and-wife, Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, team up once again for the new installment of their Princess in Black series with moderator Heidi Schulz.

TOL: In Too Deep

First Congregational United Church of Christ 1126 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Co-author Andrew Child is joined by moderator Dave Miller to discuss his most recent thrilling addition to the Jack Reacher series.

Heroes: Faith Schaffer, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, and David F. Walker

Portland Parks Foundation Park Tent 1010 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR, United States

When an unlikely pair of female samurai join forces, what begins as your run-of-the-mill quest for glory and revenge evolves into something much more complicated in the new graphic novel from author Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrator Faith Schaffer. David F. Walker shares a remarkable story about justice and second chances and all the ways we can make our own world in the image of our dreams. Moderated by Jonathan Hill.

Atlas Obscura Wild Life: Cara Giaimo with Julie Beeler & Cascades Raptor Center

Portland'5: Winningstad Theatre 1111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

A nature book like no other—a dazzling, over-the-top collection of the world’s most extraordinary wild species that takes you to all seven continents and beyond. It’s more than a field guide–it’s an adventure. Author Cara Giaimo is joined by Julie Beeler, Cascades Raptor Center, and moderator Elena Passarello.

Speck: Storytime with Margaux Meganck

The Judy: Judy Cinema 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Author-illustrator Margaux Meganck shares her new children's book which explores the journey of a little speck trying to find where it belongs.

Incite: Queer Writers Read

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Jennifer Perrine, Vinnie Kinsella, Shaley Howard, & Will McMillan pop-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries.

Art & Time: Carson Ellis & Walter Scott

Portland Art Museum: Miller Gallery 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, United States

Artists Carson Ellis and Walter Scott discuss the contemporary art scene with Portland Monthly associate editor Matthew Trueherz. 

Personal Provocation: Shayla Lawson & Morgan Parker

Portland'5: Brunish Theatre 111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Essay collections on making your way in worlds not made for you, from poet and journalist Shayla Lawson and award-winning poet Morgan Parker. Moderated by Akasha Lawrence Spence.

Pop-up: Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. pops-up for a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with his new novel.

Pop-up: Kim Stafford

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Kim Stafford pops-up for a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with his new poetry collection.

Lost & Found: Dan Gemeinhart & Chanel Miller

The Judy: Black Box 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Dan Gemeinhart and Chanel Miller are joined by moderator Emily Chenoweth to discuss their new children's books.

WORKSHOP: Write Around Portland

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Take some time to write with us during your busy PBF day! This pop-up creative writing workshop will take inspiration from the art and surroundings of the Portland Art Museum.

Pop-up: Becky Ellis

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Becky Ellis pops-up for a reading from with her new memoir.

Missing Persons: Meredith Adamo & James L. Sutter

Portland Parks Foundation Park Tent 1010 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR, United States

Stories of loss, searching, and finding your place from Meredith Adamo and James L. Sutter, moderated by Courtney Gould. UPDATE 11/1: Adamo will no longer be able to attend, unfortunately.

Pop-up: Amelia Díaz Ettinger

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Amelia Díaz Ettinger pops-up for a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with her new poetry collection.

Illustrator Draw Off: Chapter One

The Judy: Judy Stage 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

Picture book and middle grade illustrators face off in a live drawing competition. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry with laughter, you’ll cheer as Vera Brosgol, Brian Churilla,, Margaux Meganck, and Eunice Moyle face off at the drawing easel. Host and emcee Breena Bard.

Animal Shapes: Julia Phillips & Willy Vlautin

Portland Art Museum: Miller Gallery 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, United States

Mysterious creatures appear and disrupt life, on a Puget Sound island and in the high desert of Nevada, in new novels from Julia Phillips and Willy Vlautin. Moderated by Stacy D. Flood.

Reckoning: Diannely Antigua & Danez Smith

The Old Church 1422 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR

Award-winning poets Diannely Antigua and Danez Smith are joined by OPB's Jenn Chávez to discuss the role resilience plays in their latest collections.

Perfect: Storytime with Waka T. Brown

The Judy: Judy Cinema 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Waka T. Brown reads a moving children's picture book about a young girl learning to appreciate the imperfections of life.

Pop-up: Nora Lange

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Nora Lange pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with her new novel.

The Pairing

First Congregational United Church of Christ 1126 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Casey McQuiston discusses about their most recent romance, a story as full of delicious food and beautiful scenery as it is of love and bisexual longing, with Kristen Arnett.

On the Run: Gina María Balibrera & Chelsea Bieker

Portland'5: Winningstad Theatre 1111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Gina María Balibrera's The Volcano Daughters is a searingly original debut about two sisters and their flight from genocide—which takes them from Hollywood to Paris to San Francisco’s Cannery Row—each […]

Youth Writing Workshop – I’m Literally Dead Right Now (Fiction)

Portland Art Museum: Rental Sales Gallery 1237 SW 10th Ave, Portland, United States

Facilitator: Damien Miles-Paulson (Grades 9-12) Write about your life ... as a zombie! In this workshop, you'll take a normal day and turn it into an imaginative story where you […]

Uno Más, One More: Storytime with Olivia Sua

The Judy: Judy Cinema 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Illustrator Olivia Sua reads a vibrant Latino retelling of a well-known Scottish ballad that celebrates the importance of kindness and community.

Superpowers: Tracey Baptiste

The Judy: Black Box 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Tracey Baptiste and Jamar J. Perry share their action-packed stories with moderator Sonja Thomas.

WORKSHOP: Visual Poetry and Art

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Let's play at the intersection of language and visual art! With Paige Thomas.

Playground: Richard Powers

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

Set in the world’s largest ocean, this awe-filled book explores that last wild place we have yet to colonize in a still-unfolding oceanic game, and interweaves beautiful writing, rich characterization, profound themes of technology and the environment, and a deep exploration of our shared humanity in a way only Richard Powers can.

Justice: Ramona Emerson & Marcie R. Rendon

Portland'5: Brunish Theatre 111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Thrilling mysteries from two of today's best in the genre: Ramona Emerson and Marcie R. Rendon. Moderated by Rachel Black Elk.

Write Around Portland 2 – Fairy Tales & Fables

The Judy 1000 SW Broadway T100, Portland, OR

We all want our writing to be memorable. In this workshop, we’ll examine a portion of a fairy tale or fable that’s stood the test of time. What about the […]

BIPOC Reading Series

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Jessica Meza-Torres, Kyle Yoshioka, Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito & Nastashia Minto pop-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries.

Pop-up: Bilingual: Layla Martínez

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Layla Martinez pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with her new horror novel.

Love Story: Jade Adia & Parisa Akhbari

Portland Parks Foundation Park Tent 1010 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR, United States

Jade Adia writes an unforgettably powerful coming-of-age story about a 16-year-old LA transplant whose plans to build a doomsday shelter in her backyard collide with an unexpected summer romance. In Parisa Akhbari's novel, best friendship blossoms into something more in a gorgeously written queer literary romance. Moderated by Danielle Bylund.

Pop-up: Ruth Dickey

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Ruth Dickey pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with her new poetry collection.

Green Planet: Ferris Jabr & Amy Stewart

Portland Art Museum: Miller Gallery 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, United States

Ferris Jabr and Amy Stewart discuss our wondrous planet with journalist Zöe Carpenter.

Pop-up: Mark Pomeroy

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Mark Pomeroy pops-up for a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with his novel.

Nemeses: Katie Zhao & Diana Ma

The Judy: Black Box 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Centering Chinese protagonists, Katie Zhao and Diana Ma join moderator Curtis C. Chen to share their new stories about children who must give it their all at competitions.

Pop-up: Tanya Olson

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Tanya Olson pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with her third collection of poetry.

Laolao’s Dumplings: Storytime with Dane Liu

The Judy: Judy Cinema 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Oregon Book Award-winning author, Dane Liu reads her most recent children's book that celebrates family, food, and all the different ways we come together to share love.

Pop-up: Nancy Miller Gomez

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Nancy Miller Gomez pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries from her debut poetry collection.

American Horror Stories

First Congregational United Church of Christ 1126 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Authors Brian Evenson and Stephen Graham Jones present their modern takes on uniquely American horror stories with moderator Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr.

Inheritance: Rachel Khong & Tracy O’Neill

Portland'5: Winningstad Theatre 1111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Rachel Khong's new novel asks: How far would you go to shape your own destiny? An exhilarating novel of American identity that spans three generations in one family and asks: What makes us who we are? And how inevitable are our futures? Tracy O'Neill delivers a compulsively readable, genre-bending story of finding her missing birth mother and, along the way, learning the priceless power of self-knowledge. Moderated by Cecily Wong.

Wat Takes His Shot: Storytime with Nat Iwata

The Judy: Judy Cinema 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Illustrator Nat Iwata will share the impressive biography of Wataru Misaka, the first person of color to play in the NBA.

Pop-up: Katie Prince

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Katie Prince pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries from her debut poetry collection

Poetry & Pop Culture: Kenzie Allen & Victoria Chang

Portland'5: Brunish Theatre 111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

New poetry collections that excavate pop culture -- from visual art to pop culture and mythology -- to explore the personal. Featuring Kenzie Allen and Victoria Chang with moderator Charity E. Yoro.

Pop-up Reading: Renée Watson

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Renée Watson pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries from her semi-autobiographical poetry collection.

Good Night Thoughts: Max Greenfield

The Judy: Judy Stage 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

Max Greenfield shares his sweetly funny bedtime book about anxiety and being present with moderator Steph Opitz.

Writers in the Schools Student Anthology 2023-24 Launch

Portland Parks Foundation Park Tent 1010 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR, United States

Each year, Literary Arts’ Writers in the Schools (WITS) program publishes an anthology of exemplary student work and invites them to read their writing at Portland Book Festival.

Pop-up: Lola Milholland

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Lola Milholland pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries from her memoir.

Writing Picture Books in Collaboration

The Judy: Black Box 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Join Kristina McMorris, Sabrina Moyle, Kelly McWilliams, Jewell Parker Rhodes, and moderator Cathy Camper for a discussion about the collaborative process of writing a picture book.

Family History: Jessica Hoppe & Tessa Hulls

Portland Art Museum: Miller Gallery 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, United States

Jessica Hoppe and Tessa Hulls are joined by Lupita Aquino to discuss ancestry, lineage, and their debut memoirs.

Pop-up: David G. Lewis

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

David G. Lewis pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries from his new historical non-fiction title.

Pop-up Reading: Curtis C. Chen

Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Curtis C. Chen pops-up with a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries from his new science fiction novel.

Fairy Tales: Vera Brosgol & Karla Arenas Valenti

The Judy: Judy Cinema 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

In conversation about new takes on folktales and fairytales and young girls who rescue themselves, authors Vera Brosgol and Karla Arenas Valenti will be joined by moderator Breena Bard.

Creating Picture Books

The Judy: Black Box 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Vera Ahiyya , Waka T. Brown, Dane Liu, Raquel MacKay, and Margaux Meganck will be joined by moderator Nora Ericson to share what goes into creating picture books that draw young readers into important learning moments.

Illustrator Draw Off: Chapter Two

The Judy: Judy Stage 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

Picture book and middle grade illustrators face off in a live drawing competition. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry with laughter, you’ll cheer as Nat Iwata, Chanel Miller, Faith Schaffer, and Olivia Sua face off at the drawing easel. Host Jonathan Hill.

Deceit & Dark Humor

First Congregational United Church of Christ 1126 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Rachel Kushner and Danzy Senna discuss their novels of double-dealing and dark humor with moderator Mat Johnson.

Survival: Olivia Abtahi & S. K. Ali

Portland Parks Foundation Park Tent 1010 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR, United States

Action-packed YA fantasies from Olivia Abtahi and S.K. Ali, moderated by Matthew Stefanik.

Desire & Obsession: R.O. Kwon & Kimberly King Parsons

Portland'5: Winningstad Theatre 1111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

From R. O. Kwon, an exhilarating, blazing-hot novel about a woman caught between her desires and her life. In the debut novel by Kimberly King Parsons, a young mother, in denial after the death of her sister, navigates the dizzying landscapes of desire, guilt, and grief in this darkly comic. Moderated by Genevieve Hudson.

Hauntings: Alisa Alering & Layla Martínez

Portland'5: Brunish Theatre 111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Haunted houses, a mountain that sighs, ghosts and angels, monsters made of ink... it's spooky season at this haunting discussion. With Alisa Alering, Layla Martinez, and moderator Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya.

Youth Writing Workshops – Speak Your Peace (Spoken Word Poetry)

Portland Art Museum: Rental Sales Gallery 1237 SW 10th Ave, Portland, United States

Facilitator: Nicky Nicholson-Klingerman (Grades 9–12) This workshop will explore the healing and performative aspects of spoken word poetry. Students will engage with spoken word poets from Gwendolyn Brooks to Brandon […]

Indigenous Identities: Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe & Chris La Tray

Portland Art Museum: Miller Gallery 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, United States

A new essay collection and a debut memoir explore modern Indigenous identity and the impact of community. With Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe and Chris La Tray, moderated by OPB's Lillian Karabaic.

Fantastic Fate: Emily Lloyd-Jones & Katie Zhao

Portland Parks Foundation Park Tent 1010 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR, United States

From Emily Lloyd-Jones comes a thrilling fantasy about three unlikely allies bound together in a deadly, magical competition. In Katie Zhao's new novel, magic meets dark academia at a New York boarding school that’s hidden from mortal eyes. Moderated by Alicia Tate.

Welcome to Sunderworld

First Congregational United Church of Christ 1126 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR

Bestselling author Ransom Riggs is back with a new series, Sunderworld. Interviewer Emily Suvada.

Reconciliation: Renée Watson & Joe Wilkins

Portland Art Museum: Miller Gallery 1119 SW Park Ave, Portland, United States

Stories of intergenerational kinship, families original and found, of loss and healing from Renée Watson and Joe Wilkins, with moderator Mitchell S. Jackson.

Past & Present: Mosab Abu Toha & Erin Marie Lynch

Portland'5: Winningstad Theatre 1111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

Two powerful collections of poetry that grapple with the present-day impact of histories of state-sanctioned violence and colonialism—and at the same time, celebrate the small and big joy found even […]

Be a Revolution: Ijeoma Oluo

Portland'5: Brunish Theatre 111 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR

From Ijeoma Oluo, the #1 New York Times–bestselling author, an eye-opening and galvanizing look at the current state of anti-racist activism across America. Moderated by Hanif Fazal.