Book Society

The dream of farm life is timeless—but today’s farmers are rewriting that story in real time.

Join us for a thought-provoking evening with Jennifer Acker, author of Surrender; Andy Naja-Riese, CEO of the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM); and Tamara Hicks, owner of Toluma Farms &amp; Tomales Farmstead Creamery and author of Feasts on the Farm. Together, they’ll explore the shifting landscape of farming in the Bay Area—where tradition meets innovation, and storytelling meets lived experience.

In Surrender, Acker introduces us to Lucy Richard, a woman who leaves behind a successful career in New York City to return to her family’s struggling goat farm in rural Massachusetts. What unfolds is an intimate portrait of reinvention, resilience, and the emotional and financial realities of farming life. Lucy’s journey—marked by inexperience, loss, love, and unexpected community—mirrors many of the challenges and transformations faced by farmers today.

In conversation, Jennifer, Andy, and Tamara will connect fiction to reality, unpacking the history of farming in the Bay Area and the new models shaping its future. From the rise of smaller, diversified vegetable farms to collaborative approaches like shared land, equipment, and labor, they’ll discuss how today’s farmers are reimagining sustainability—not just for the land, but for their own lives. How can farmers support one another in an industry that has long demanded everything? What does it look like to build systems that allow for rest, resilience, and even something as simple as a vacation?

They’ll also explore how our community can play a role—through supporting land conservation efforts, engaging with local food systems, and participating in experiences like farm visits, cheese trails, and hands-on learning that deepen our connection to the land and the people who steward it.

Your ticket includes:
<ul><li>A dynamic conversation with Jennifer Acker, Andy Naja-Riese, and Tamara Hicks</li><li>Delicious bites and wine, including cheeses from Toluma Farms (with more to be announced!)</li><li>Book signing, connection, and community mingling</li></ul>

Option to pre-purchase a copy of Surrender. A limited number of Feasts on the Farm&nbsp;will also be available for purchase at the event.

Local Event: A Taste of the Land: Stories & Realities of Farming

Alameda County

Berkeley

California

A Taste of the Land: Stories & Realities of...

The dream of farm life is timeless—but today’s farmers are rewriting that story in real time.

Join us for a thought-provoking...

A Taste of the Land: Stories & Realities of Farming

Debut Night at Book Society is a celebration of firsts—first books, first pours, and the stories that bring them to life.

Join Kate Crane, Portia Elan, and Eric Scot Tryon as we raise a glass to their debut novels and introduce Book Society’s new house wines, crafted in collaboration with Berkeley-based Broc Cellars.

Throughout the evening, each author will share their journey to publication, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how an idea evolves into a finished book. From an investigative memoir to a genre-bending adventure spanning 600 years within a video game, to a moving exploration of grief and the unexpected relationships it reveals, these stories promise a rich and varied conversation.

Bring your curiosity—and your questions—for an evening designed to spark connection, discovery, and a deeper appreciation for the art of the debut.

Your ticket includes:
<ul><li>A lively conversation with three debut authors—Kate Crane (What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane?), Portia Elan (Homebound), and Eric Scot Tryon (I’m the Undertow)</li><li>A first taste of Book Society’s new house wines</li><li>Book signing, conversation, and community mingling</li></ul>


<h4>About the Authors &amp; Their Books</h4>

Eric Scot Tryon
San Francisco–based writer and editor Eric Scot Tryon makes his debut with I’m the Undertow&nbsp;(Central Avenue, May 2026), a haunting and tender novel exploring guilt, grief, and the unexpected relationships that form in the wake of loss. His short fiction has appeared in more than 50 literary journals, including Mid-American Review, Indiana Review, Ninth Letter, The Florida Review, Glimmer Train, and The Los Angeles Review. He is represented by Carleen Geisler of Britt Siess Creative Management and is the founding editor of the literary journal Flash Frog.

Portia Elan
Bay Area native Portia Elan brings a poet’s sensibility to her debut novel, Homebound, a sweeping and imaginative story that begins with a queer game designer in the 1980s and echoes into the 26th century—shaping the lives of a scientist, a sentient robot, and a desperate ship captain. A meditation on storytelling, identity, and belonging, the novel reflects Portia’s deep literary roots. She holds an MFA in Poetry from the University of Victoria, is a former Lambda Literary Fellow, and has worked as both a teacher and public librarian. She lives in the Bay Area with her wife and an abundance of cats.

Kate Crane
Writer and editor Kate Crane draws on her background in journalism and publishing for her debut, What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane?, an investigative memoir that blends personal narrative with rigorous reporting. When she was twelve, her father disappeared from his Baltimore trucking business and never returned—twenty years later, she set out to uncover the truth. Kate began her career with an NYC alt-weekly and later worked with&nbsp;Wall Street Journal publications. A Baltimore native and longtime New Yorker, she now lives in California.

About Broc Cellars
<a target="_blank" href="https://broccellars.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Broc Cellars </a>is a Berkeley-based winery dedicated to producing fresh, vibrant wines meant for everyday enjoyment. Founded in 2002 by winemaker Chris Brockway, Broc works with organically farmed grapes and native fermentations to create wines that are expressive, balanced, and alive. Crafted with intention, these are wines designed to lift you up—never weigh you down.

Local Event: Debut Night: First Editions

Debut Night: First Editions

Debut Night at Book Society is a celebration of firsts—first books, first pours, and the stories that bring them to life.

Join...

Here's a secret: you don't need a trust fund to live a cultured, stylish life. You just need to know a few tricks — and Whitney Marston Pierce has written the book on it.

Join us at Book Society's San Francisco pop-up for an evening built directly from the pages of Pretend to Be Fancy: a hands-on, workshop-style event that will give you real, usable hosting skills wrapped in a genuinely fun night out.&nbsp;

Expect a hands-on evening of genuinely useful — and genuinely fun — hosting and entertaining skills drawn straight from the pages of Pretend to Be Fancy. Think cocktails, cheese, wine, etiquette, and a little something to take home. No experience required. 

Your ticket includes:
<ul><li>Welcome cocktail</li><li>Food, wine &amp; tasting experience</li><li>Hands-on hosting &amp; entertaining workshops with Whitney&nbsp;</li><li>A take-home treat&nbsp;</li><li>Book signing &amp; mingling</li></ul>

The book will be available for pre-purchase at check-out. A limited number of copies will also be available to purchase at the event.

Whether you're hosting your first dinner party or just want to feel a little more at ease in fancy situations, this is the evening for you!

Local Event: Pretend to be Fancy: The Art of Faking It

Pretend to be Fancy: The Art of Faking It

Here's a secret: you don't need a trust fund to live a cultured, stylish life. You just need to know a few tricks — and Whitney...

Calling all cookbook enthusiasts, food lovers, and wine-curious home (or professional) chefs! Whether you love to cook, sip, or simply page through a beautifully crafted cookbook, the Cookbook Lovers Club&nbsp;is for you. In collaboration with the fabulous food stylist and cookbook author Bebe Carminito, our club gathers to celebrate the art of cookbooks—featuring a different author and their delicious creations. We meet, eat, sip, and savor good conversation with fellow foodies.

We're kicking off the next Cookbook Lovers Club with a very special guest: Cara Mangini, award-winning chef, culinary educator, and author of the IACP Award-winning The Vegetable Eater: The New Playbook for Vegetarian Cooking.

Join us for an intimate conversation with Cara about her culinary journey and the story behind The Vegetable Eater. Cara will also guide us through a hands-on demo covering knife skills and essential vegetable prep techniques to help you cook with more ease and confidence.&nbsp;

Cara has made it her life's mission to put vegetables at the center of the American plate. Whether you're a lifelong vegetable lover or just looking to bring more produce-forward cooking into your everyday routine, this evening is designed to inspire and equip you.

Your ticket includes:
<ul><li>Tasting of delicious recipes from The Vegetable Eater</li><li>Intimate conversation with Cara Mangini</li><li>Live vegetable prep and knife skills demo</li><li>Book signing with Cara</li></ul>

Local Event: The Vegetable Eater: An Evening with Cara Mangini

The Vegetable Eater: An Evening with Cara Mangini

Calling all cookbook enthusiasts, food lovers, and wine-curious home (or professional) chefs! Whether you love to cook, sip, or...

Join us for our monthly Journaling Club&nbsp;— a welcoming space to cultivate creativity, reflection, and connection through the practice of journaling. Each month we’ll gather for a guided 90-minute session designed to inspire your writing, nurture mindfulness, and build community among fellow journalers.

Tickets include:
<ul><li>A guided journaling session</li><li>Mimosas or NA bubbly</li><li>Light morning treats</li></ul>

Whether you’re a lifelong writer or simply looking for a creative outlet, our Journaling Club offers a moment to pause, connect, and explore your inner world — one page at a time.

Local Event: Journaling Club: A Reflective Morning Inspired by The Book of Alchemy

Journaling Club: A Reflective Morning Inspired...

Join us for our monthly Journaling Club — a welcoming space to cultivate creativity, reflection, and connection through the...

Journaling Club: A Reflective Morning Inspired by The Book of Alchemy

At Book Society, we believe writing — like reading and wine — should be both meaningful and enjoyable. And few subjects bring more meaning and enjoyment to the page than food!

Join us for a special two-hour workshop with Dianne Jacob, one of the country's leading food writing coaches and the author of the multiple award-winning Will Write for Food: Pursue Your Passion and Bring Home the Dough Writing Recipes, Cookbooks, Blogs and More. With more than 20 years of experience as a journalist, editor-in-chief, writing coach, and cookbook author, Dianne has helped food writers at every stage get clearer, stronger, and more confident on the page.

Whether you're a food lover who likes to write, a blogger curious about what's next, or a writer drawn to the culinary world, this workshop offers practical insight and inspiration in a welcoming, convivial setting.

In this session, Dianne will touch on:
<ul><li>Crafting writing with a stronger, more distinctive voice</li><li>The landscape of food writing today — cookbooks, freelancing, newsletters, and beyond</li><li>What it takes to pursue publication and pitch your work</li><li>Writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing</li></ul>

Included with your ticket:
<ul><li>A copy of Will Write for Food&nbsp;by Dianne Jacob</li><li>A light snack and beverages to keep the creativity flowing</li><li>Hands-on writing exercises to help you practice your craft</li><li>The chance to connect with a celebrated author and coach with deep roots in food writing, publishing, and journalism</li></ul>

Local Event: Will Write for Food: A Workshop with Dianne Jacob

Will Write for Food: A Workshop with Dianne Jacob

At Book Society, we believe writing — like reading and wine — should be both meaningful and enjoyable. And few subjects bring...

Laura Guzman

Fernando Haro

Bay Area

Albany

Rockridge

Contra Costa County

El Cerrito

Piedmont

Alameda

Angela Woodall

Lamorinda

Pinole-Hercules

San Francisco

San Francisco County

Pleasant Hill

Walnut Creek

Lucca Bar & Grill

Return engagement/dance party, after last November's extremely fun dance party! Featuring the Bay Area's best rock and blues musicians--Marc Russo, Tal Morris, Curtis Ohlson, Kevin Hayes, John R. Burr, Margaret Bolton, and Marvin McFadden--Good times!

Local Event: Don Arbor and the Bay Area All-Stars

Don Arbor and the Bay Area All-Stars

Return engagement/dance party, after last November's extremely fun dance party! Featuring the Bay Area's best rock and blues...

First Congregational Church of Berkeley

Chora Nova celebrates the close of its 20th anniversary season with a performance of Orff's Carmina Burana.&nbsp;The audience is invited to a celebratory party after the concert.

Local Event: Chora Nova performs Orff's Carmina Burana

Chora Nova performs Orff's Carmina Burana

Chora Nova celebrates the close of its 20th anniversary season with a performance of Orff's Carmina Burana. The audience is...

Faction Brewing

The ALAMEDA RECORD SWAP at Faction Brewing is now one of the Bay Area’s largest vinyl events!Join us for a day of crate digging with over 40 record vendors offering every genre you can imagine—there’s something for every taste and every budget.Enjoy DJs spinning classic vinyl all dayCraft beer from Faction BrewingDelicious eats from Satay By The Bay SF𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦: 𝟭𝟭𝗔𝗠–𝟱𝗣𝗠Free admission | All ages welcome Apply to sell! <a href="https://forms.gle/oeQSLdEnNeaTBVrdA?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcTJmSHFUNGpJRTNLTzNpR3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5RcImoHtcDGcffceXLBjAzgG6tjUEJiDrtJw8w7wfSZDKzhM_eqJKRyuyH5g_aem_pLbvbJJxjBhGO4cZskZ3-A" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://forms.gle/oeQSLdEnNeaTBVrdA</a>

Local Event: Alameda Record Swap - Sun 5/17 - 50 Vendors! 40,000 Records! 

Alameda Record Swap - Sun 5/17 - 50 Vendors!...

The ALAMEDA RECORD SWAP at Faction Brewing is now one of the Bay Area’s largest vinyl events!Join us for a day of crate digging...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Laura Guzman, Neighbor

Posting Activity

A Taste of the Land: Stories & Realities of Farming

MAY

19

6:00 PM

Book Society, 2945 College Ave, Berkeley, CA

Debut Night: First Editions

MAY

26

6:00 PM

2945 College Ave, Berkeley, CA

Pretend to be Fancy: The Art of Faking It

MAY

28

6:00 PM

200 Brannan St, SF, CA

The Vegetable Eater: An Evening with Cara Mangini

JUN

10

6:00 PM

2945 College Ave, Berkeley, CA

Journaling Club: A Reflective Morning Inspired by The Book of Alchemy

JUN

21

10:00 AM

2945 College Ave, Berkeley, CA

Will Write for Food: A Workshop with Dianne Jacob

JUN

24

6:00 PM

2945 College Ave, Berkeley, CA

Don Arbor and the Bay Area All-Stars

Chora Nova performs Orff's Carmina Burana

Alameda Record Swap - Sun 5/17 - 50 Vendors! 40,000 Records!