From San Diego to Los Angeles, Riverside to the OC, Southern California bookstores are hosting July author talks, readings and signings.
Jun 26, 2026 11:30 am PDT | Updated Jun 26, 2026 11:34 am PDT
CALIFORNIA — Southern California readers have several chances to meet authors in July, with independent bookstores hosting book release parties, readings, conversations and signing events. We've found some fun ones for you at bookstores from San Diego, Riverside, Orange County, Los Angeles County and beyond.
Readers should check each bookstore’s official website before attending for current times, registration details, ticket requirements, book-purchase rules and any event changes.
San Diego Mysterious Galaxy Subscribe
Address: 3555 Rosecrans St., Suite 107A, San Diego, CA 92110
Store link: https://mystgalaxy.com/
July 1, 2026, 7 p.m.: Sarah Pinsker appears for an in-store author event listed as “Clarion Presents: Sarah Pinsker.”
July 29, 2026, 7 p.m.: Andy Duncan and Elizabeth Hand appear for an in-store author event listed as “Clarion Presents: Andy Duncan & Elizabeth Hand.” Events link: https://mystgalaxy.com/upcoming-events
Encinitas Artifact Books Address: 603 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Store link: https://artifactrarebooks.com/
July 18, 2026, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Brian Townsley, JD Clapp and Jim Ruland appear for a reading and signing tied to Starlite Pulp Review #8 . Events link: https://artifactrarebooks.com
Temecula In Bloom Bookery Address: 42031 Main St., Suite C, Temecula, CA 92590
Store link: https://www.inbloombookery.com/
July 7, 2026: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Catherine Cowles Audio Book Listening Party for Into the Fading Twilight. Come and listen to the first five chapters! Ticketed event, includes deluxe edition of Into the Fading Twilight by Catherine Cowles. Ticketed Event.
July 11, 2026, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Natalie Messier celebrates the release of Every Version of You , in conversation with Alana Quintana Albertso.n
July 17, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Paint By Numbers: An evening of creativity, color, and good company at our Paint by Numbers Night. Ticketed Event.
July 21, 6 p.m.: Vera Stein Is Fine Author Tour at the Merc! Ticketed Event. Events link: https://www.inbloombookery.com/upcoming-events
The Spine & Vine Bookstore Address: 41789 Nicole Lane, Suite B5, Temecula, CA 92591
Store link: https://thespineandvine.com/
July 11, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: K.T. Pike is scheduled to sign copies of her books, including Catching Qat .
July 9, 2026, 6 p.m. The Shippers , By Katherine Center, Bestsellers Book Club.
July 26, 2026, 10:30 a.m., Our Perfect Storm , by Carley Fortune, Mood Readers Book Club.
July 30, 2026: 6:30 p.m, Kindred , Octavia Butler, Old Rose Tattoo Book Club. Events link: https://thespineandvine.com/pages/upcoming-events
Laguna Beach Laguna Beach Books Address: 1200 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Store link: https://lagunabeachbooks.com/
July 9, 2026, 6 p.m.: Jason Feddy and Michael Waldman celebrate the release of The Glory of Groveling .
July 23, 2026, 6 p.m.: Steven Rowley appears for Take Me With You . Events link: https://lagunabeachbooks.com/calendar/
Los Angeles Book Soup Address: 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Store link: https://booksoup.com/
July 1, 2026, 7 p.m.: Dylan Landis, in conversation with Janet Fitch, discusses and signs List of All Possible Desires: A Novel in Stories .
July 13, 2026: Talya Jankovits, in conversation with Tabby Refael, discusses and signs The Very Unremarkable Life of Mrs. Etty Bloom .
July 16, 2026: Michael Levine discusses and signs Authentic PR .
July 17, 2026, 7 p.m.: Kim Narby, in conversation with Jen Winston, discusses and signs Saturn Returning .
July 25, 2026: Annie Jacobsen discusses and signs Biological Weapons: A Scenario .
July 31, 2026, 7 p.m.: Phil Cousineau discusses and signs The Wisdom of the Odyssey: Twenty-Four Life Lessons from Homer’s Epic . Events link: https://booksoup.com/events/2026/07
Chevalier’s Books Address: 133 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004
Store link: https://chevaliersbooks.com/
July 16, 2026, 7 p.m.: Joyce Maynard appears for an event listed as “In Wonderland with Author Joyce Maynard.”
July 22, 2026, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Romi Cortier appears for Gates of the Hollywood Hills . Events link: https://chevaliersbooks.com/upcoming-events
Skylight Books Address: 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Store link: https://www.skylightbooks.com/
July 9, 2026, 7 p.m.: Sophia Benoit appears with Elissa Sussman for The Very Definition of Love . Events link: https://www.skylightbooks.com/events
Ojai Bart’s Books Address: 302 W. Matilija St., Ojai, CA 93023
Store link: https://bartsbooksojai.com/
July 7, 2026, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Terria Smith appears in conversation with Weshoyot Alvitre for I Love You So Many . Events link: https://bartsbooksojai.com/courtyardevents
Pasadena Vroman’s Bookstore Address: 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
Store link: https://vromansbookstore.com/
July 15, 2026, 7 p.m.: Fatimah Asghar discusses and signs Daughter of the Mountains: Poems of Heartbreak & Homecoming .
July 19, 2026: Local Author Day introduces Esma Ali, Paul J. Ramirez and other local authors.
July 30, 2026, 11 a.m.: Origami artist and author Joel Stern leads a creative craft workshop tied to his new board book release. Events link: https://vromansbookstore.com/events
Did we miss your July book event? Let us know by emailing your Patch Editor. Also, add your own event to the Patch Calendar!