Ann Patchett, Ocean Vuong, Clint Smith highlight Seattle bookstore events in July
Seattle is a haven for book lovers on the west coast.
In 2017, the city earned a designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. Seattle hosts many different kinds of book clubs, open mics and other literary events throughout the year. But with over 60 bookstores and many authors local to the area, each month usually sees a packed calendar for book events in the city. It's also a common stop for many popular authors on book tours.
Here are some highlights of the authors and events coming to bookstores this month in Seattle.
July bookstore events in Seattle this month
July 1: Josh Weil with Urban Wait, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "What Came West," by Josh Weil - RSVP
July 1: Wendy Call, Third Place Books (Ravenna) at 7 p.m., "Translations of Stolen Flower and Red Seed: Poems for Luno" - RSVP
July 6: Dr. Zed Zha with Dr. Lisa Erlanger, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "Consented: A Doctor's Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy," by Zed Zha, MD - RSVP
July 7: Chuck Tingle, Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park) at 7 p.m., "Fabulous Bodies" - Buy tickets
July 8: Fatimah Asghar, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "Daughter of the Mountains: poems of heartbreak & homecoming" - RSVP
July 8: Susan Wiggs with Lynn Brunelle, Eagle Harbor Book Co. at 6:30 p.m., paperback release of "Wayward Girls" - Event details
July 8: Elena Taylor with Robert Dugoni, Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park) at 7 p.m., "Kill to Keep," by Elena Taylor - RSVP
July 9: Ann Patchett, Seattle Arts & Lectures (Benaroya Hall) at 7 p.m., "Whistler" -- Buy tickets
July 10: Gary Lemons with Douglas Cole, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "Collatoeral," by Gary Lemons - RSVP
July 14: Christina Dodd with Julia Quinn, Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park) at 7 p.m., "Daughter of Montague" series by Christina Dodd - RSVP
July 15: Kyle T. Mays with Jessica Hernandez, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "When We Are Kin: The History and Future of Afro-Indigenous Solidarity," by Kyle T. Mays - RSVP
July 16: Nisi Shawl and Theo Downes-Le Guin, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., discussing Vonda N. McIntyre's "The Curve of the World" - RSVP
July 16: Patrick Hutchison with Katie Campbell (KUOW Book Club), Seattle Public Library - Central Branch at 6:30 p.m., "Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman," by Patrick Hutchison - RSVP
July 18: Faith Adiele with Marta Hanson and Paulette Perhach, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "The Best Women's Travel Writing Anthology," edited by Spalding Lavinia - RSVP
July 20: Ju-Chan and Bruce Fulton, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "Chinatown," by Oh June-hee, translated by Ju-Chan and Bruce Fulton - RSVP
July 21: Roberta Kwok, Third Place Books (Ravenna) at 7 p.m., "Lost in Curiosity," by Roberta Kwok - RSVP
July 22: Booke Nevils at Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "Unspeakable Things: Silence, Shame, and the Stories We Choose to Believe," by Brooke Nevils - RSVP
July 22: Clint Smith at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) at 7:00 p.m., lecture, America 250 Series - Buy tickets
July 23: Claire Vaye Watkins with Claire Dederer, Elliott Bay Book Company at 7 p.m., "Yellow Pine," by Claire Vaye Watkins - RSVP
July 23: Ocean Vuong with Putsata Reang, Town Hall Seattle at 7:30 p.m., paperback release of "The Empower of Gladness," by Ocean Vuong - Buy tickets
July 29: Ben Wikler with Jay Inslee, Town Hall Seattle at 7:30 p.m., "This Is The Plan," by Ben Wikler - Buy tickets
Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network's Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at zfletcher@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ann Patchett, Ocean Vuong, Clint Smith highlight Seattle bookstore events in July
Reporting by Zachary Fletcher, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 8:23 AM.