Events
April 8, 2026 | 9:00am - 10:00am
Walk & Talk Book Club
Join Bedford Books and the Bedford Free Library for our Spring Walk & Talk Book Club. Our pick: the highly anticipated biography of Judy Blumeβone of the worldβs most treasured literary voices, showcasing a life as triumphant and inspiring as the stories she crafted.
Meet at the library at 9:00 am for to-go coffee and snacks, then take a 30β40 minute walk through town while we chat about the book. Weβll wrap up at Bedford Booksβwalkers receive 10% off.
April 9, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Author Talk: Grant Ginder
Join bestselling author Grant Ginder in conversation with Fran Hauser, author and owner of Bedford Books, as they discuss Grantβs new book (and one of Fran's favorite books of the year so far), So Old, So Young.
Books will be available for sale and signing, and light refreshments will be served. Ticket price includes a $20 shopping credit to use at the event.
April 13, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:30pm
From Idea to Book: What Publishers Look For
Many aspiring nonfiction authors have a topic they care deeply aboutβbut arenβt sure if itβs strong enough to become a book.
In this 90-minute workshop, bestselling author and publishing coach Fran Hauser will help you pressure-test your idea and understand what makes a nonfiction concept truly compelling.
Perfect for anyone thinking about writing a nonfiction bookβor wondering if their idea is ready for the next step.
Limited to 10 participants.
April 15, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Author Talk: Mark Oppenheimer
We're thrilled to welcome Mark Oppenheimer to Bedford Books! He will discuss his highly anticipated new biography, Judy Blume: A Life, with our dear friend and bestselling author Haley Cohen Gilliland.
Books will be available for sale and signing, and light refreshments will be served. Ticket price includes a $20 shopping credit to use at the event.
April 16, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Books & Bourbon
Bedford Books welcomes Man Also Read Book (sic), hosted by Bedford local Alec Guettel.
This ad hoc book club will gather to share and discuss all-time favorite books.
Bourbon and light snacks will be served.
Just email Alec to let him know youβre in β and while youβre here, you can get your Motherβs Day shopping done, too!
April 20, 2026 | 11:00 am + 1:00pm
Put Pen to Paper: A Letter Writing Social
Join Kevin King, founder of HANDWRTTN, for a conversation about why letters matter, what makes a great one, and how to carve out a little time to write someone a thoughtful note.
Inspired by the release of the deluxe edition of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, this gathering is your invitation to slow down and send a letter. Just bring a person in mind and their addressβweβll provide the pen, paper, and stamps.
Kevin will also share how heβs building HANDWRTTN to blend the timeless art of handwritten notes with the communication conveniences weβve grown used to.
Copies of the deluxe edition of The Correspondent will be available for sale.
Limited to 10 participants.
11am session - sold out. RSVP to 1pm session below.
April 23, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Author Talk: Emma Grey
Weβre thrilled to welcome Emma Grey, bestselling author of Pictures of You and The Last Love Note, to Bedford Books! Join her in conversation with author & grief therapist Gina Moffa as they discuss Emmaβs new book, Start at the End.
Books will be available for sale and signing, and light refreshments will be served. Ticket price includes a $20 shopping credit to use at the event.
April 25, 2026 | ALL DAY
Independent Bookstore Day
Weβre so excited to celebrate our second Indie Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 25! π Weβll be here 10:00β6:00 with plenty of fun in store:
β’ Bibliotherapy with Elisabeth Weed (11:00β12:00)
β’ Play Break with Piera Gelardi, co-founder of Refinery29 and author of The Playful Way (1:00 - 2:00)
β’ Free Indie Bookstore Day coloring or activity book for the first 12 kids
β’ Indie Bookstore Day merch (totes, Blackwing pencils, and special edition books)
β’ A Libro.fm Golden Ticket hidden somewhere in the storeβworth 12 audiobook credits
β’ Scratch & win prizes (gift cards, discounts, and more)
β’ A free ARC (advance review copy) with every purchase, while supplies last
β’ Mimosas & cookies
β’ And a few more fun surprises weβre planning π
Mark your calendar for April 25βwe canβt wait to celebrate with you. π
April 25, 2026 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Play Break with Piera Gelardi
Join us on Indie Bookstore Day for a play break with Piera Gelardi, author of The Playful Way and cofounder of Refinery29. Drop in, doodle, and reconnect with your creative side!
Copies of her book will be available for sale and signing.
And while you're here, enjoy all of the other fun Indie Bookstore Day activities from exclusive Indie Bookstore Day merch to free ARCs with every purchase, an opportunity to win a Libro.FM Golden Ticket (12 free audiobooks), scratch-and-win prizes, mimosas, and more!
April 28, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Yellow Studio Book Club
Bedford Books is thrilled to host the Yellow Studio Book Club to discuss Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser.
Light refreshments and snacks will be served.
Note: this event is for Yellow Studio members (learn more about becoming a member here.)
April 30, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Bedford Books Book Club
Our April book club pick is Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser.
This debut novel is a bold, exhilarating reimagining of Cinderellaβtold through the eyes of the so-called evil stepmotherβand is poised to be one of the biggest books of the year.
Light refreshments will be served. Come ready for a rich conversation and the chance to connect with fellow readersβwe canβt wait to see you there!
π We have plenty of copies waiting for you in the shop!
May 4, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:30pm
Everone Has a Story to Tell
Have you ever thought or even said, βWhoβd be interested in my story?β If so, this discussion is for you.
Celia Hirsch, the author of Telling, a memoir praised as a βmasterpiece of introspectionβ, will lead a conversation about her powerful book and how she managed the obstacles that could have canceled the very project that brought her peace. Being in the seventh decade of her life, she hopes to be an example that itβs never too late for dreams to come true.
Limited to 12 partcipants.
May 5, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Launch Party: Aimee Pokwatka
Join us in celebrating beloved local author Aimee Pokwatka on the launch of her newest novel, Accumulation. Sheβll be in conversation with Lauren PortΓ© Schwarzfeld, followed by a book signing and cocktails.
Books are available for preorder and will also be available for purchase that evening.
May 7, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Author Talk: Laura Zigman
Weβre so excited to welcome Laura Zigman to Bedford Books! Sheβll be in conversation with New York Times bestselling author Ann Leary about her new book, The Author Weekend.
Books will be available for sale and signing, and light refreshments will be served. Ticket price includes a $20 shopping credit to use at the event.
May 11, 2026 | 10:00am - 1:00pm
Workshop: Publishing Made Easy
This intimate in-person workshop with Fran Hauser, limited to just five participants, will guide you through the nonfiction publishing landscape, helping you understand what makes a book sellable and how to craft a winning pitch. With practical strategies, templates, and hands-on activities, you'll leave with a clear action plan and the confidence to move forward on your publishing journey.
May 14, 2026 | 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Launch Party: Rebecca Gardner
Weβre so excited to welcome Rebecca Gardnerβfounder of Houses & Partiesβto Bedford Books and New York Stoneware! Join us as we celebrate the launch of her stunning coffee-table book, A Screaming Blast. She'll be in conversation with artist and creative director Happy Menocal.
Light refreshments and snacks will be served, and your ticket includes a copy of A Screaming Blast.
May 18, 2026 | 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Kids Acting Workshop with a Casting Director
Join Casting Director Lisa Rubenstein for a fun and engaging Kids Acting Workshop designed for ages 9β12. Through theater games, audition practice, and scene work, young performers will build confidence and learn real acting and audition techniques. This class is perfect for both serious young actors and kids who just want to have a great time exploring the world of performance!
Limited to 8 participants.
May 21, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Author Talk: Laing Rikkers
Join award-winning author Laing Rikkers and grief specialist Barri Leiner Grant at Bedford Books for a thoughtful, uplifting conversation inspired by Morning Leaves: Cultivating a Life of Beauty, Meaning, and Joy. Together, theyβll explore how creativity, nature, and self-care can help us rediscover moments of lightness and connection, even after loss or during times of transition.
The evening will focus on cultivating joy, honoring resilience, and finding beauty in the everyday.
Copies of Morning Leaves will be available for sale and signing, and light refreshments will be served. Ticket price includes a $20 shopping credit to use at the event.
June 4, 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Author Talk: Belle Burden @ The Bedford Playhouse
Join Belle Burden at the Bedford Playhouse in conversation with her literary agent, Brettne Bloom (The Book Group).
Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage continues to be one of the biggest sellers in the store, and we canβt wait for this one!
Books will be available for sale and signing.
June 23, 2026 | 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Author Talk: Annabel Monaghan @ The Bedford Playhouse
Join Annabel Monaghan at the Bedford Playhouse in conversation with Erin Somers, acclaimed author of The Ten Year Affair.
We had a big waitlist for Annabel at BB last summer, and weβre so happy to be partnering with the Playhouse to give her a bigger stage.
Books will be available for sale and signing.