Prairie Lights Reading: Karen Parkman – The Jills

Prairie Lights Books 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA

Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate Karen Parkman will read from her new novel, The Jills. Listed by both PEOPLE Magazine and CrimeReads as a "best book of February," The Jills is praised by Chloe Benjamin, New York Times

Rooftop Music & Reading Series

Market House 202 N. Linn St., Iowa City, IA

Join the Porchlight Literary Arts Center on the deck of Market House for an evening of music, poetry, and prose. The Rooftoop Music & Reading Series brings together some of

Prairie Lights Reading: Susan McCarty – 2008

Prairie Lights Books 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA

Susan McCarty will read from her new novel, 2008. The University of Chicago Press offers this summary of 2008: "It’s 2008: the age of the blog, the dawn of social media, and

Self Published Book Fair

Sidekick Coffee & Books 1310 1/2 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, IA

Hosted by Sidekick Coffee and Books This fun-filled event highlights local authors and features several genres, from childrens to adult fiction and non-fiction. This event is a great way to

Prairie Lights Reading: Will Swain – Certainly Uncertain

Prairie Lights Books 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA

Will Swain will read from his new book, Certainly Uncertain: The Limitations of Knowledge and the Uncertainty of Belief. Renee Zukin, Educator, Entrepreneur, & Author of Every Day, I’m Brave, praises Certainly Uncertain as

Rogue Workshops Faculty Reading

Prairie Lights Books 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA

Join Prairie Lights Books for a special faculty reading of the inaugural "Authors at Large" Iowa City Rogue Workshops! (You can learn more about this program and the faculty here.)

Iowa City Book Festival

Downtown Iowa City

 The Iowa City Book Festival is happening October 19–25, 2026! Join us for a week of literary events, author talks, readings, and more at various locations throughout downtown Iowa City. Mark your calendars. More

An Evening with Pulitzer Prize Winner Yiyun Li

TBD

Internationally acclaimed author Yiyun Li won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for her resonant memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow, a deeply moving account of losing her younger son to suicide a