Events

Diane di Prima Memorial Tribute

A tribute to Diane di Prima, marking one year since her passing in October 2020, with Hanif Abdurraqib, Garrett Caples, Jeanne di Prima, Shepard Powell, Cedar Sigo, Sunnylyn Thibodeaux, Wendy Trevino, and Jenny Jo Wennlund.

Daniel de Visé in conversation with Harry Duncan

The first full and authoritative biography of the musical and cultural legend BB King.

Spring and Autumn Annals Release Party

A panel discussion celebrating the City Lights publication of Spring and Autumn Annals by Diane di Prima with Ammiel Alcalay, Amber Tamblyn, and Ana Božičević. Moderated by Sara Larsen.

Paul Auster on the Life and Work of Stephen Crane

New York Times bestselling author Paul Auster is joined in conversation with Todd Gitlin to discuss the life and work of Stephen Crane.

Auntie Sewing Squad visits City Lights!

City Lights celebrates rise of the Auntie Sewing Squad, a massive mutual-aid network of volunteers who provide free masks in the wake of US government failures during the COVID-19 pandemic. With Mai-Linh K. Hong, Chrissy Yee Lau, and Preeti Sharma. Moderated by Rebecca Solnit

Uwem Akpan in conversation with Helon Habila

Exuberant storytelling full of wry comedy, dark history, and devastating satire—by the celebrated and original author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Say You're One of Them.

Elif Shafak in conversation with Ipek S. Burnett

A rich, magical new novel on belonging and identity, love and trauma, nature and renewal, from the Booker-shortlisted author of 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World.

Kyle T. Mays in conversation with Paul Ortiz

The first intersectional history of the Black and Native American struggle for freedom in our country that also reframes our understanding of who was Indigenous in early America.

Stan Cox in conversation with Sonali Kolhatkar

The Path to a Livable Future is an urgent call for the political transformation needed to address the common causes of climate change, COVID-19, and racism.

Steven Reigns in conversation with Jonny McGovern

Steven Reigns discusses his new book A Quilt For David, the hidden history of a vulnerable gay man whose life and death were turned into tabloid fodder.

Lucy Corin in conversation with Susan Steinberg and Deb Olin Unferth

Lucy Corin celebrates her new novel THE SWANK HOTEL published by Graywolf Press

Amitav Ghosh with Raj Patel (RESCHEDULED to 12/14/21)

In his ambitious successor to The Great Derangement, acclaimed writer Amitav Ghosh finds the origins of our contemporary climate crisis in Western colonialism's violent exploitation of human life and the natural environment.

Charlie Jane Anders in conversation with Kelly Link

Charlie Jane Anders celebrates her new book NEVER SAY YOU CAN'T SURVIVE: How To Get Through Hard Times By Making Up Stories published by TORDOTCOM

Kalani Pickhart in conversation with Maria Kuznetsova

Celebrating the debut novel by Kalani Pickhart I Will Die in a Foreign Land that follows four individuals over the course of a volatile Ukrainian winter, as their lives are forever changed by the Euromaidan protests.

Victoria Nelson in conversation with Rob Wilson

The author of The Secret Life of Puppets and Gothicka celebrates her debut novel, a supernatural thriller set in the 1970s in a certain West Marin coastal town crawling with poets.

Truong Tran - Book Launch for BOOK OF THE OTHER: Small In Comparison

City Lights and Kaya Press celebrate the release of Truong Tran's new book BOOK OF THE OTHER: SMALL IN COMPARISON

Seagull Books at 40

City Lights celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Seagull Books with special guests Naveen Kishore joined by Nancy Naomi Carlson, Alain Mabanckou, and Khal Torabully.   Hosted by Peter Maravelis and Paul Yamazaki of City Lights

Poor Books/ Prensa POBRE Celebration

POOR BOOKS celebrates their 2021 fall releases with Audrey CandyCorn, Ingrid DeLeon, Lisa Ganser, Angel Heart, Muteado Silencio. and Val Vera. Hosted by Lisa Gray Gracia and Tongo Eisen Martin

Nancy Perloff in conversation with Antonio Sergio Bessa

A significant new collection of concrete poetry that redefines what this unique literary movement means today.

Christopher W Shaw discussing FIRST CLASS: The U.S. Postal Service, Democracy, and the Corporate Threat

Eduardo Berti with Daniel Levin Becker

City Lights in conjunction with Fern Books present Eduardo Berti reading from his new novel An Ideal Presence

Amitav Ghosh in conversation with Raj Patel

In his ambitious successor to The Great Derangement, acclaimed writer Amitav Ghosh finds the origins of our contemporary climate crisis in Western colonialism's violent exploitation of human life and the natural environment.

Gloria Gervitz with Mark Shafer

City Lights in conjunction with New York Review Books celebrate Gloria Gervitz's new collection of poetry MIGRATIONS

Freeman's Love & Change Solstice Party!

Join John Freeman in a solstice celebration with Lina Meruane and Sayaka Murata reading from the LOVE & CHANGE issues of Freeman's