11 Book Events in Boston to Help You Jumpstart Your 2025 Reading Goals

Whether you’re looking to get a head start on your 2025 reading goals, explore new genres, or meet other book lovers, these literary happenings around Boston are sure to scratch that reading itch.  by Celina Colby 1) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/papercuts-x-loring-greenough-jp-literary-salon-with-marianne-leone-and-randy-susan-meyers-jamaica-plain-1009667">Papercuts x Loring Greenough: Literary Salon with Marianne Leone &amp; Randy Susan Meyers</a> When: Tuesday 1/14 Where: Jamaica Plain Info: See actress and writer Marianne Leone in conversation with local author Randy Susan Meyers at the latest installment of this author talk series created by Papercuts Bookshop and the Loring Greenough House.  2) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/the-poetry-brothel-the-lovers-cambridge-1010508">The Poetry Brothel: The Lovers</a> When: Friday 1/14 Where: Central Square Info: Poetry takes center stage at this immersive literary cabaret. Engaging with a rotating cast of actors, poets, and artists, get your tarot cards read, hear live poetry readings, and more.  3) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/makana-yamamoto-with-alex-schaffner-hammajang-luck-brookline-1011039">Makana Yamamoto with Alex Schaffner: Hammajang Luck</a> When: Friday 1/14 Where: Coolidge Corner Info: At this talk, author Makana Yamamoto will discuss her debut science fiction novel “Hammajang Luck” with Alex Schaffner, explore her inspiration and world building.  4) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/lovestruck-books-all-day-opening-celebration-cambridge-1010641">Lovestruck Books All-Day Opening Celebration</a> When: Saturday 1/18 Where: Harvard Square Info: Celebrate the opening of this brand-new romance bookstore in Harvard Square with an all-day party. Enjoy a polaroid station, raffle prizes, a blind date with a book station, and free bookmarks with every purchase.  5) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/onyx-storm-midnight-release-party-cambridge-1011038">Onyx Storm Midnight Release Party</a> When: Monday 1/20 Where: Harvard Square Info: Join Lovestruck Books for a midnight release party of ‘Onyx Storm,’ the third book in Rebecca Yarros's bestselling Empyrean series. There will be a live DJ, a costume contest, trivia, and refreshments.  6) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/dani-s-queer-bar-x-all-she-wrote-books-book-club-boston-1010773">Dani's Queer Bar x All She Wrote Books Book Club</a> When: Tuesday 1/21 Where: Back Bay Info: This month’s meeting of the All She Wrote Books Book Club will be held at Dani’s Queer Bar in Back Bay. The discussion centers on ‘Another Country’ by James Baldwin, a classic exploration of love, politics, and racial tensions in Greenwich Village, Harlem, and France. 7) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/beginner-book-binding-custom-journals-cambridge-1011045">Beginner Book Binding - Custom Journals</a> When: Friday 1/24 Where: East Cambridge Info: Why stop at reading books when you can also make them? This beginner book binding class will walk you through making two completely custom journals using traditional book binding techniques.  8) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/emily-austin-at-the-cambridge-public-library-cambridge-1011040">Emily Austin at the Cambridge Public Library</a> When: Thursday 1/30 Where: Harvard Square Info: Bestselling author Emily Austin will appear at the Cambridge Public Library for a conversation with author and educator Kimm Topping about Austin’s new book ‘We Could Be Rats.’  9) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/alton-brown-book-signing-at-harvard-book-store-cambridge-1011041">Alton Brown Book Signing at Harvard Book Store</a> When: Saturday 2/8 Where: Harvard Square Info: Foodie alert! Food show personality and author Alton Brown will sign copies of his new book ‘Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations,’ at Harvard Book Store. Snag a ticket for an opportunity to meet him.  10) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/silent-write-night-newton-1011042">Silent Write Night</a> When: Monday 2/10 Where: Newton Info: Explore your own story during this Silent Write Night program at Hummingbird Books. The shop provides a prompt and anyone can participate in silent writing for 60 minutes based on that prompt. Afterwards there’s an opportunity for mingling and sharing.  11) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/judith-rosen-with-alex-schaffner-bookstore-romance-brookline-1011044">Judith Rosen with Alex Schaffner: Bookstore Romance</a> When: Thursday 2/13 Where: Coolidge Corner Info: Journalist Judith Rosen will discuss her new book ‘Bookstore Romance: Love Speaks Volumes,’ in which she interviewed two dozen couples about their weddings in indie bookstores.

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S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

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11 Book Events in Boston to Help You Jumpstart Your 2025 Reading Goals

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