Readings

Dinner at the Center of the Earth by Nathan Englander and Forest Dark by Nicole Krauss

Stude Concert Hall, Rice University

Inprint kicks off its annual Margarett Root Brown Reading Series with a meeting of minds between Englander, a brilliant Pulitzer-nominated political novelist, and Krauss, described by the New York Times as “one of America’s most important novelists,” who will discuss their new work. Sept. 18

The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille

Murder by the Book

You might have read one of DeMille’s 20 novels, or maybe you saw John Travolta in the 1999 movie adaptation of The General’s Daughter. In this new novel, readers follow a U.S. combat veteran whose charter boat gets wrapped up in an all-or-nothing mission to Cuba. Oct. 3

Fresh Complaint by Jeffrey Eugenides

Brazos Bookstore

The first short-story collection from the Pulitzer-winning author of The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex and The Marriage Plot explores envy, failure and fatherhood across age and nationality. Nov. 3

Hide from Me by Mary Lindsey

Blue Willow Bookshop

Houston, if you didn’t already know, is the beating heart of romance-novel publishing industry—the perfect stop for Lindsey to read from her latest, which combines magic, lust and mystery for a compelling, toe-curling new entry. Nov. 11

The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Stude Concert Hall, Rice University

Vietnamese-American Nguyen reads from his new short-story collection, which chronicles stories of immigrants adrift in a new land. The work follows the author’s Pulitzer-winning The Sympathizer, adding to his reputation as one of the brightest stars on the literary horizon. Nov. 13

Comedy

Jay Mohr

House of Blues

Although probably more famous for his work onscreen than behind the mic, Mohr’s been in the stand-up game since age 16 and was an SNL cast member in the ’90s. His deeply personal comedy, often about family and fatherhood, earned him a 2016 Grammy nomination. Now he’s back at it with new material. Sept. 16

John Mulaney

Revention Music Center

An SNL writer and Weekend Update alum who’s been compared to Jerry Seinfeld, the baby-faced Mulaney will pass through town to deliver some hot takes and sharp wit—particularly regarding President Trump, who he’s likened to “a horse loose in a hospital.” Oct. 14