Check out these fun book-related events and local accounts to follow in Des Moines if you’re like us and love diving into any and all good books! 📚
Written by Jackie Hunter, DSMG Contributor
Has the Des Moines Book Festival left you wanting *all things books*? Has this rainy spring weather made you want to curl up with a good book and nothing else? We’ve got you covered with all the bookish events coming up this spring around the metro.
Sponsored Event: Indie Bookstore Day at Storyhouse Bookpub
- Saturday, April 29, 10 am. – 8 p.m.
- Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
Complete a Central Iowa IBD Passport to enter to win a bundle of bookish swag from all of your favorite indies on Saturday and Sunday! Passports are available to pick up on Sat, Apr 29, at all participating locations and passport challenge ends on Sunday, Apr 30. Sip coffee (thanks, Daisy Chain!) and tea while you book-browse. Add wine-tasting to your bookstore moment with Vino in the Village from 1pm-6pm – Winefest will be pouring samples at Storyhouse and all around the neighborhood for ticket-holders (available through Winefest).
Family story time AND a group art project? For parents of littles, check out the morning story time where the group will also make a temporary bookstore mural. Bring the whole family.
Story time for grown ups? Yes, please. Welcome your childhood nostalgia at this read-aloud! Our more theatrical Storyhouse friends will regale you with readings from our beloved picture or chapter books while you enjoy boozy (or NA) ice cream cocktails with Pints by Beth (on the house!)
More About Central Iowa Indie Bookstore Day
Upcoming Events at Storyhouse Bookpub
Storyhouse Bookpub presents poet William Bortz | a book launch for Many Small Hungerings | Friday, May 12 at 7pm with Daisy Chain Coffee. Grab a latte and hear DSM poet, William Bortz, read from and discuss his newest collection, Many Small Hungerings. We’ll gather in Daisy Chain Coffee for cafe drinks and mingling before settling in Raygun’s mezzanine to hear from William about his process and poems. William will take questions and stay to sign copies.
- $5 tickets = a Daisy Chain drink – non-caffeinated options will also be available. Pre-ordering tickets from Storyhouse’s website is encouraged.
- $22 bundle = pre-order the BOOK + TICKET
- $33 bundle = pre-order the Will Bortz exclusive “Mineral Water” TSHIRT + TICKET
- $50 bundle = pre-order the Will Bortz exclusive “Mineral Water” TSHIRT + BOOK + TICKET check out William’s exclusive … tshirt and pre-order yours for pickup at Storyhouse before or at the event. If you’re curious to learn more about ordering the shirt alone, visit williambortz.com.
Storyhouse will also have Many Small Hungerings and The Grief We’re Given for purchase at the event.
Upcoming Events at Storyhouse Bookpub
Hosted by Reading in Public
- Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe, 315 5th St Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Common Love DSM will be collecting donations outside of Reading In Public Books on Saturday while you pop in for Indie Bookstore Day in Valley Junction.
All the details from Common Love DSM
Hosted by Raccoon River Press
Botany Book Club
- April 24th at 5:30 p.m.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines, IA 50309
Raccoon River Press has not just one but TWO book clubs that you can get involved with. The Botany Book Club is a fabulous collaboration held by Raccoon River Press and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Join them in the Garden as they discuss “Bringing Nature Home” this month and “The Botanist’s Daughter” in May.
Firetrucker Book Club
- May 11th at 7 p.m.
- Firetrucker Brewery, 716 SW 3rd St, Ankeny, IA 50023
Books and brews, what could be better? Join Raccoon River Press at Firetrucker Brewery as they discuss April’s book club pick “Olga Dies Dreaming” by Xochitl Gonzalez. Looking ahead? The May book club selection “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann will be discussed in June.
Hosted by Des Moines Public Library
Authors Visiting in Des Moines: J. Ryan Stradal
- May 1 at 7 p.m.
- Des Moines Central Library, 1000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Hop over to Central Library to hear from southern Minnesota native, J. Ryan Stradal as he discusses his next book “Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club.” Coming off the heels of his 2019 bestseller “The Lager Queen of Minnesotra,” Stradal has been described as having a knack for “crafting uniquely Midwest characters and stories.” Seats to this event are first come, first serve and doors open at 6.
Authors Visiting in Des Moines: Emily St. John Mandel
- May 10 at 7 p.m.
- Des Moines Central Library, 1000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
If you’re on BookTok, Bookstagram or have just looked at a bestseller’s list in the past year, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Emily St. John Mandel and her novel “Sea of Tranquility.” A piece of speculative fiction that touches on time travel and love, “Sea of Tranquility” (and indeed Mandel herself) has many fans. Get here early for this one folks!
Check out all the library events
Authors Visiting in Des Moines: Jack Carr
- May 24 at 7 p.m.
- Des Moines Central Library, 1000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Thriller fans, this one is for you! Jack Carr continues the tale of Navy SEAL James Reece in his latest installation, “Only the Dead.” Carr, who was a U.S. Navy Seal himself, retired from the military in 2016 and is well-renowned for his military and political thriller novels.
Hosted by The Slow Down Coffee Co.
Community Reads May Book Club
- The Slow Down Coffee Co. 3613 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
- May 1, 7:00 p.m.
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