Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr! is a paean to how we spend our lives seeking meaning—in faith, art, ourselves, others—in which a newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, embarks on a search that leads him to a terminally ill painter living out her final days in the Brooklyn Museum.

Ease the Chaos tells raw, genuine stories to help navigate difficult situations we might face as we work toward a better future.

After his hilarious introduction to Paris in French Like Moi, Scott Dominic Carpenter returns to the scene of the crime with more tales of intrigue. T

Penguin Random House is partnering with PEN America, Little Free Library, and the Freedom to Read Foundation for a bookmobile tour across the country.

With the help of his third-grade cousin, Lucy, and the supportive grownups at his school and home, Ethan overcomes bullying and encounters new friends in this new book, Ethan Goes to Recess.

Discover a rich legacy of audacious women who forged a spirituality that is more inclusive, surprising, and empowering than we ever imagined.

The Body Alone is an inquiry into the experience, meaning, and articulation of pain.

In When My Husband Ran for President and Other Short Stories, it’s Ruth Harkin's turn to share lessons, memories, and parts of the lasting influences she has provided her family, Iowans, and the nation.

Join us at Franklin Event Center for the Second Annual Banned Books Fair as we celebrate the Freedom to Read. 

Local nonprofit Poetry Palooza presents “Poetry & Film,” an interactive evening of spoken word poetry.

Join CCI Action and author Jennifer Berkshire for a conversation on what we can do together to win honest, equitable, and fully-funded public education here in Iowa.

Support the Des Moines Public Library and enjoy an evening celebrating literacy and Iowa authors. The memorable event includes dinner, the recitation of the Library Bill of Rights, and remarks by award-winning authors.