Great Summer Reads with EveryLibrary Live! - August 26 to 28, 2025
At EveryLibrary Live!, we believe that great books and great conversations belong to everyone. That’s why we host author talks that celebrate the joy of reading, the power of storytelling, and the role libraries play in connecting readers with ideas.
This week, we are excited to bring you three nights of great summer reads. Each conversation highlights bold voices and unforgettable stories. From speculative fiction that doubles as revolution, to mysteries with sharp social edges, to magical chaos set in a failing suburban mall, EveryLibrary Live! is your place to discover new authors, revisit favorite genres, and join conversations that matter.
Monday, August 26 at 8pm EDT
Speculative Fiction with Power: Resistance, Identity & Imagination
Three bold voices reimagine the past and future through the lens of speculative fiction. Jewelle Gomez (We Three) brings decades of activism and sharp imagination to queer, Black, and Indigenous futures. LeAnne Howe (Shell Shaker) blends Choctaw history with time-bending storytelling to explore justice and survival. And Michele Tracy Berger (Doll Seed) delivers haunting, genre-bending tales centered on Black women’s strength, fear, and transformation. Together, these authors will explore how speculative fiction isn’t just escape, it’s revolution.
Watch on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/events/1158706769626939
Watch on YouTube Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghQB0l_6M_0
Tuesday, August 27 at 8pm EDT
Sleuths, Stages & Secrets: New Voices in Crime Fiction
Crime fiction is being reimagined by powerful new voices. In Mel Pennant’s debut, A Murder for Miss Hortense, a formidable Jamaican matriarch turned amateur sleuth investigates a chilling murder in her Midlands community, blending cozy mystery charm with a sharp social lens. Meanwhile, Morgan Richter’s The Understudy dives into the cutthroat world of New York opera, where ambition and obsession spiral into a deadly game.
Together, Pennant and Richter explore the art of building suspenseful, character-driven mysteries that center bold, complex women. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Megan Abbott, and anyone who loves crime fiction with wit, depth, and unforgettable heroines.
Watch on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/events/2001598447334527
Watch on YouTube Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIkYqFOMYYY
Wednesday, August 28 at 8pm EDT
Genies, Gnomes & Mall Mayhem – Auston Habershaw’s If Wishes Were Retail
Award-winning fantasy author Auston Habershaw (The Saga of the Redeemed) returns with a hilarious and heartfelt contemporary tale. When a determined teen partners with a grumpy genie to run a wish-granting kiosk in a struggling suburban mall, chaos, comedy, and unexpected truths follow.
If Wishes Were Retail blends magical hijinks, quirky characters, and sly social commentary into a fast-paced, feel-good read—and this conversation promises just as much fun.
Watch on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/events/2295613947542895
Watch on YouTube Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hybpvzZDPZ4
Whether you’re a fan of speculative fiction, crime mysteries, or laugh-out-loud fantasy, EveryLibrary Live! has something for you this week. Join us, celebrate the power of storytelling, and help support the culture of reading and the libraries that make it possible. Tune in live on EveryLibrary’s Facebook page or YouTube channel at 8pm EDT each evening this week. Can’t make it live? Don’t worry, every episode is available on demand, so you can catch up anytime.
Watch on our Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/EveryLibrary/events
Watch on YouTube Live: https://www.youtube.com/@everylibrary385/streams