Barbara Kingsolver on Partita at Pasadena Presbyterian

Barbara Kingsolver, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Demon Copperhead, is coming to Pasadena to talk about her new novel, Partita. Vroman's Bookstore and the Braille Institute are presenting the evening at Pasadena Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, October 21, and it is one of the more notable literary nights on the calendar of upcoming events Los Angeles readers can look forward to this fall.

When: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 7:00 PM Where: Pasadena Presbyterian Church, Pasadena Price: $45.39 (ticketed) Presented by: Vroman's Bookstore and the Braille Institute

What to expect

This is billed as an evening where Kingsolver discusses Partita, which the publisher calls a novel. The flyer for the event pairs the author's portrait with the book jacket, and the jacket shows a pair of hands moving across piano keys, a fitting image for a title borrowed from a musical form. Beyond the format and the book itself, the organizers have not published a detailed program, so it is worth checking the ticket page for updates closer to the date.

Vroman's has been hosting author events in the Pasadena area for a long time, and pairing this one with the Braille Institute gives the night a community-minded feel. Readers who followed Demon Copperhead will recognize a writer who draws a crowd, so plan on a full room.

Getting there

The event takes place at Pasadena Presbyterian Church on East Colorado Boulevard, in central Pasadena. The 7:00 PM start falls on a weeknight, so leave extra time for traffic on the 134 and 110 if you are coming from across town. Street parking and nearby garages fill up on busy nights, and the Metro A Line serves Pasadena for anyone who would rather skip the drive.

Tickets are sold through Eventbrite at $45.39. Since this is a ticketed, seated event and a popular author, buying ahead is the safer plan than hoping for a seat at the door.

Why go

If you are looking for things to do in Los Angeles that reward a night out for something other than a screen, a conversation with a major novelist is hard to beat. It suits book clubs, longtime Kingsolver fans, and anyone curious about how a writer of her stature talks about her craft and a new book. Pair it with dinner in Pasadena beforehand and you have a complete evening.

For more picks across the city, browse our arts and culture events and the Pasadena neighborhood guide.