This fall, Southern California's literary landscape is anything but quiet, with a variety of events blending book discussions and author engagements with drinks and community. These gatherings offer Angelenos fresh ways to connect over stories, from casual book clubs meeting in local bars to more structured readings with bespoke cocktails.
In San Pedro, The Tipsy Bookworms convenes at local bars to delve into its monthly book selections over drinks. For October, the group planned to discuss a scary book, fitting for the spooky season. The Tipsy Bookworms describes itself as a casual and low-pressure environment, where members actively vote on what to read next.
On September 26, Grain of Salt LA hosted an immersive read-along at P.F. Candle Co.’s flagship store in Echo Park. The evening combined books, cocktails, food, and book signings, along with unique scent pairings. Featured guests included novelists Scott Broker, Anna Dorn, and Aisha Muharrar. The event was sold out, though a waitlist was available.
For fans of romance, Mimosas & Lit 2.0 meets in the Pasadena area for discussions of romance novels accompanied by mimosa brunches. Their next gathering was scheduled for September 27. The club, which is open to everyone, counts over 600 members, providing plenty of companionship for those seeking "happily-ever-after" stories with their brunch.
Wine enthusiasts can find their literary match with the Literary Wineaux Society LA, which met at Augustine Wine Bar in Sherman Oaks on October 15. The group discussed Daphne du Maurier’s *Rebecca* as part of its monthly tradition of meeting at local wine bars. October’s theme was the Seven Deadly Sins, with *Rebecca* assigned to envy.
For a more informal literary gathering, Pen & Honey Books hosted a Book Swap with Ysa on September 26 at Mi Vida in Highland Park. Attendees were invited to bring a book to exchange for another, enjoying an evening described as a literary salon with snacks, complete with wine, food, and community.
The Sevilla Writers House presents its Sunday Whiskey Reading Series in Los Feliz, promising evenings of readings paired with whiskey and specialty cocktails. These drinks are often inspired by the performing artists. The series is set to resume this fall, offering a spirited take on literary engagement.
On October 15, The Elysian hosted a live edition of *Sounds Like a Cult* with Amanda Montell and Iman Hariri-Kia. The event celebrated Hariri-Kia’s new novel, *Once in a Timeline*, offering ticket-and-book bundles, specialty cocktails, and a post-show signing. While technically a podcast recording, the presence of cocktails and a book signing broadened its appeal to literary event attendees.
In West Hollywood, the Boozy Broads Book Club has been meeting monthly at a wine bar since 2022. This club is for women aged 40 and over, with members taking turns to choose diverse books and lead the discussions. Meanwhile, Melanin & Mimosas meets in Los Angeles once or twice a month, with its October 2 gathering scheduled for 6pm. This club focuses on Black women, using books as a foundation for building friendship and community across various genres, and occasionally offers virtual meetups.
