Our Picks
Where you'll most likely find us this week:
notsuoH Dirty Flirty 30th AnniversarynotsuoH is celebrating 30 years with a ton of events all week long. Our pick? The Orpheus Depending poetry experience starting at 8 PM in the Mezzanine Bar on Wednesday, May 6th. Cost: Free entry |
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Sips & Smut Vol. 3BTT Books is back at Thistle Draftshop in Spring with Sips & Smut Volume 3, their 18+ only book fair celebrating all things spicy. Cost: Free entry |
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The Paper Lovers MarketI've recently gotten very in to junk journaling and am so excited to check out this journaling-themed market made for stationery lovers and silly creatives <3 Cost: Free to Attend |
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All Events
Monday, May 4th
Author Event: R.S. Grey, "Our Secret Summer"
Cost: Free, RSVP at bluewillowbookshop.com
Where: Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079
When: 7 PM
Details: Texas Author R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including Not So Nice Guy and Scoring Wilder. This event will celebrate her new novel, Our Secret Summer.
Poetry Reading: Ching-In Chen, "Shiny City"
Cost: Free, Donation Bar
Where: Friends Gallery, 7040 Harrisburg Blvd., Houston TX 77011
When: 7 PM
Details: Featuring several local poets in addition to the reading. More details on Instagram
Author Reading: Brittny Ray Crowell & Nina McConigley
Cost: Tickets are $6.50, On Sale Now
Where: Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002
When: 7:30 PM
Details: Presented as the closing event of the 2025/2026 Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series - brittny ray crowell and Nina McConigley will read from their new books respectively, Cord Swell and How to Commit A Postcolonial Murder, followed by an on-stage conversation led by poet and University of Houston Creative Writing Program director Kevin Prufer. The evening will conclude with a book sale and signing.
Tuesday, May 5th
Author Event: Abby Hanlon
Cost: Tickets start at $12.44, RSVP at bluewillowbookshop.com
Where: Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079
When: 5 PM
Details: Blue Willow welcomes Abby Hanlon to Houston to celebrate the paperback release of her book, Dory Fantasmagory: Center of the Universe! Join them for a celebration filled with games, crafts, treats, giveaways, a book signing, and a chance to win a grand prize.
Writing Meetup & Critique
Cost: Free, RSVP on Meetup
Where: Lone Star College CyFair Campus Library Rm 215, 9191 Barker-Cypress Rd · Cypress, TX, 77433
When: 6 - 8 PM
Details: Meet other aspiring writers and participate in a group writing critique! Learn from others' efforts and, if you want, share some of your own work, whether it be a short story, poetry, or an excerpt of a longer-form story such as a novel or screenplay. Alternatively, feel free to attend just to hear what other writers are cooking up and lend some some constructive feedback.
Wednesday, May 6th
Author Signing: Tom Junod
Cost: Free, Book available for puchase
Where: Brazos Bookstore,
When: 6:30 PM
Details: Tom will discuss his memoir In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man.
Fiber Arts Meetup
Cost: Free to attend.
Where: LIT bookbar, 611 Jackson St. Ste B, Richmond, TX 77469
When: 10 AM - 12 PM
Details: The Fiber Arts Meetup is a welcoming space for knitters, crocheters, weavers, and makers of all kinds to gather, stitch, and share. Bring your current project, or that one still waiting to be started. Enjoy a few peaceful hours surrounded by books, art, and kindred spirits. See event page for more.
Writer's Sprint
Cost: Free to attend
Where: 11 AM - 1 PM
When: Lit Java, 5018 Broadway St., Pearland TX 77581
Details: Grab your computer and writing utensils and head to Lit Java to write in a relaxing, calm environment amongst other writers. Push yourself to write for 30 minutes increments and get support, encouragement, and feedback from others in the writing community.
Sweet Communion Write In
Cost: Free, Registration required at luma.com/SOTY
Where: The Eldorado Ballroom, 2310 Elgin St., Houston 77004
When: 5 PM
Details: Sweet Communion Write-Ins are free, in-person writing gatherings that create quiet, communal space for Black women to write independently in the presence of one another. Ages 16+
Poetry & Prose Showcase
Cost: Free, Donation Bar
Where: Friends Gallery, 7040 Harrisburg Blvd., Houston TX 77011
When: 7 PM
Details: Featuring several local poets in addition to the reading. More details on Instagram
Thursday, May 7th
Custom Beaded Embroidery Class
Cost: $45, includes all materials, tickets on sale now
Where: Drop of the Creator Distillery, 10929 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston, TX 77096
When: 6 - 8 PM
Details: Hosted by Whimsical Wonders, this class is perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike. You’ll be guided step-by-step through the basics of bead embroidery while creating a one-of-a-kind design you can proudly display or gift.
Trivia & Steak Night
Cost: Free to attend
Where: Social Beer Garden HTX,
When: 7 PM
Details: Test your 2010s knowledge on everything from bangers to viral moments. Learn more at socialbeergardenhtx.com
Friday, May 8th
Ladies Night
Cost: Free to attaned
Where: Katy Budget Books
When: 6 - 8 PM
Details: Join Katy Budget Books for drinks and snacks, and to discuss the books you're loving! This is a come and go event so join when you can.
Bookish Market - Reader's Night: It's All Greek to Me
Cost: Free to attend
Where: Epiphany Lounge, 400 Bryant Rd, Conroe, TX
When: 5 - 9 PM
Details: Flash Tattoos, Local Authors, Bookish Merch and more. See details on Facebook
Bound & Banned: Embroidery Class
Cost: $65, includes all materials, tickets on sale now
Where: Brazos Bookstore
When: 6 - 8 PM
Details: Hosted by Whimsical Wonders, create a book-inspired embroidery piece while honoring the stories that challenge the norm.
Granny Camp: Bookish Spring Night
Cost: Starting at $250, on sale now.
Where: Huntsville, TX
When: 3:30 PM
Details: Classes, book swap, bookish crafts, sweet treats and cocktails and more. See full lineup at grannycampctx.com
Saturday, May 9th
Local Author Signing: David Welling
Cost: Free to attend, book available for purchase
Where: Get Fictional, 223 N. Main, Conroe TX
When: 12 - 2 PM
Details: On instagram @david.welling
Bookish Market: Putts & Pages
Cost: Free, RSVP on Eventbrite
Where: PopStroke, 23110 Grand Circle Blvd., Katy, TX 77449
When: 9 AM - 1 PM
Details: Books, local vendors, and mini golf - a fun, family-friendly afternoon. More details on Facebook.
Bookish Market: Sips & Smut Vol 3
Cost: Free entry
Where: Thistle Draftshop, 5210 Farm to Market 2920 ste 100, Spring, TX 77388
When: May 9, 11 - 4 PM (VIP entry at 10 is sold out)
Details: Learn more at thistledraftshop.com
Bookish Market: Boozy Book Fair
Cost: Free entry
Where: Deacon Baldys, Magnolia TX
When: 5 - 9 PM
Details: https://www.instagram.com/p/DX7KXJ_Evr4/
Shopping Event: Moms & Mimosas
Cost: Free to attend
Where: Good on Paper Books
When: 11 AM - 2 PM
Details: Event Page
Shopping Event: Coffee & Records
Cost: Free to attend
Where: Little Dreamers, Montrose
When: 10 AM - 3 PM
Details: Vintage vinyl sale at a coffee shop! More details on Instagram
Undocumented Motherhood Reading & Open Mic
Cost: Free to attend
Where: Dreamers Bookstore, IronWorks
When: 6 PM
Details: On Instagram @dreamers.bookstore
Sunday, May 10th
Journaling-themed Market: The Paper Lovers
Cost: Free to Attend
Where: Daboba, 11360 Bellaire Blvd Ste 80, Houston, TX 77072
When: 12 - 5 PM
Details: See vendor lineup and more info on Instagram.
Sweet Communion Write In
Cost: Free, Registration required
Where: The Reading Room, 1111 Providence St, Houston, TX 77002
When: 1 to 4 PM
Details: Join the Sisters of the Yam Writing Society at the Reading Room for Sweet Communion, a free, in-person writing gathering for Black women and femmes to write independently.
Save The Date
Notable upcoming bookish events
- May 13th: The Book Club was Better, Remarkably Bright Creatures, 8 PM @ Social Beer Garden HTX
- May 17th: Beyond the Covers Pop Up at Crushed ICE Benefit Concert for FIEL Houston, hosted by The Coalition Houston. Tickets are $5, on sale now.
- May 17th: Eastern Rim Funny Book & Vintage Con, Baytown TX. Details here.
- May 21st: Score with Kennedy Ryan at Kindred Stories. Tickets are on sale now.
- May 22-24: Matt Dinniman at Comicpalooza. Tickets on sale now, starting at $62.74.
- May 23: Beyond the Covers Pop Up @ Frio Loco in Crystal Beach
- May 28: Katherine Center at Blue Willow.
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May 29: BTT Books Cowboy Romance themed market at Saint Arnolds. Vendor apps are open.
- May 31: Forbidden Pages “Summer Love Story” Bookish Market. Vendor/author apps are open
- June 6th: BTT Books hosting The Rosy Chapter market at William Price Distilling Company. Vendor apps are open.
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June 13th: Book Dragon Festival at Post HTX. Applications are open, contact The Book Dragon on Instagram @thebookdragon_htx for more information.
- June 13th: Black Author Expo 2026 at Copacabana Hall
- Oct 17: Tex-indie Author Book Fair at 10510 Westview Dr, Houston, TX. More details here.
- Oct 22 - 24: National Black Book Festival at Fallbrook Church. Details at nationalblackbookfestival.com
- Nov 1: Jewish Books & Arts Fest
- Nov 6-7: Books on the Ground. Vendor applications open, see https://www.instagram.com/p/DXXbpJjiR2o/
- Nov 14th: Tropicon Book Expo at Katy Mills