2026 Arts Preview: Big book events headed to San Diego in the coming year

With inflation on the rise, many San Diegans are choosing to curl up with a good book at home rather than hitting the town these days. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting book events taking place this year at local bookstores, libraries and university campuses.

Adventures by the Book: The Hive of 5

In January, Adventures by the Book will host a panel discussion with five New York Times bestselling historical fiction novelists: Kate Quinn (“The Astral Library”), Madeline Martin (“The Secret Book Society”), Allison Pataki (“It Girl”), Kristina McMorris (“The Girls of Good Fortune”) and Stephanie Dray (“Becoming Madam Secretary”). The event includes a group Q&A and book signings. 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8. Coronado Library, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado. Seating is free and first-come, first-serve, but a priority seat will be reserved for those who purchase books by all five authors in advance. adventuresbythebook.com/calendar-event/history-hive-1-8-26/

The Book Catapult: Rick Fröberg art book release

In his younger years, San Diego’s Rick Fröberg was a prolific rock singer-guitarist with local bands including Drive Like Jehu, Pitchfork and Hot Snakes. But he was also a prolific visual artist and commercial illustrator. He passed away at 55 on June 30, 2023, from an undiagnosed heart condition. Fröberg’s art will be celebrated this month at a free art book release event for “Plenty for All: The Art of Rick Fröberg.” The event wil include a panel discussion with Fröberg’s friends Rob Crow, Pall Jenkins, Sohrab Habibion, Johnny Temple, Alexis Fleisig and Britton Neubacher. 7 p.m. Jan. 20. The Book Catapult, 3010-B Juniper St., San Diego. Free (book is $40). 619-795-3780, thebookcatapult.com

San Diego Library Foundation: Mary Kubica

Chicago-based suspense novelist Mary Kubica will be interviewed by local author T. Greenwood in a Q&A about her new psychological thriller, “It’s Not Her,” about two families whose vacation at a secluded lake resort takes a deadly turn. Kubica is the bestselling author of “The Good Girl,” “Local Woman Missing”  and “She’s Not Sorry.” 7 p.m. Feb. 16. Library Shop Mission Hills, 925 W. Washington St., San Diego. Tickets are $30, which includes the book . libraryfoundationsd.org/events/kubica 

Warwick’s: ‘Hail Mariam’ book release

Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla will host a book launch and signing for Encinitas author Huda Al-Marashi latest release, “Hail Mariam,” a middle-grade, coming-of-age novel about Mariam, an Iraqi-American sixth-grader who is navigating life, faith and identity. Al-Marashi, an Iraqi-American married mother of three, said this book is her take on the Judy Blume novel “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” but drawn from her own experiences in Catholic school. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24. 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, but a reserved seat (which includes the book) is $17.99. 858-454-0347, warwicks.com/event/al-marashi-2026

31st Annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea

Dean Nelson and Warwick’s bookstore’s annual three-day authors festival will take place Feb. 25-27 in Point Loma. Nelson, the journalism professor at Point Loma Nazarene University, interviews prominent authors onstage about their work and writing process. This year’s featured writers are TV journalist Judy Woodruff at 7 p.m. Feb. 25; “Girl” and “A Small Place” author Jamaica Kincaid at 7 p.m. Feb. 26; and “Lincoln in the Bardo” and “Vigil” author George Saunders at 7 p.m. Feb. 27. Brown Chapel, PLNU, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego. Tickets are $21.99. pointloma.edu/2026writers 

2026 San Diego Writers Festival

This free one-day festival will return to Coronado in March. The lineup for this year’s event has not been announced, but it usually features panel discussions, book releases and writing workshops led by local and national authors. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 28. Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado. Free. sandiegowritersfestival.com

The San Diego Book Crawl

In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, this annual event invites book-lovers to visit and support their neighborhood bookstores. This year’s crawl will feature more than a dozen participating bookstores from South Bay to La Mesa to La Jolla. Participants can print out a “passport”  for directions to visit them all of the shops in one weekend. San Diego Public Library branches also support the event with discounted books in their resale bookshops. The San Diego Book Crawl runs April 25-27. libraryfoundationsd.org/events/san-diego-book-crawl

KPBS San Diego Book Festival

After a successful debut last summer, the second annual KPBS San Diego Book Festival will return in August. Presented by the University of San Diego, which will host the one-day event, the 2026 fest will feature panel discussions with award-winning authors, activities, live entertainment, exhibitors including local authors and independent booksellers. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22. Free. kpbs.org/sdbookfestival

Other events of note

Fantasy novelist Jim Butcher will discuss “Twelve Months” at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore. mystgalaxy.com/12126Butcher

A book release party for Julian Winters’ “Last First Kiss” is at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Meet Cute Bookshop. meetcutebookshop.com/events/4079620260130

Three-time National Book Award finalist Lauren Groff will discuss her latest, “Brawler,” at two events March 4 with Warwick’s. warwicks.com/event/month/2026-03

Bestselling author Anne Lamott will discuss the craft of writing with her husband and fellow writer, Neal Allen, at 7:30 p.m. April 1 at Balboa Theatre. artpower.ucsd.edu/event/anne-lamott-neal-allen

Humorist and essayist David Sedaris returns to San Diego to share the funny stories and social commentary. 8 p.m. May 7. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. artpower.ucsd.edu/event/david-sedaris-2026