Parisa Burton 
If your ideal weekend includes getting lost in a good story, clear your calendars. Hoboken Literary Weekend is returning for 2026, bringing a fresh lineup of authors and literary conversations hosted by Little City Books. The events will take place Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th + feature book readings, discussions, signings, and panels from a diverse range of authors. Read on for more about the 2026 Hoboken Literary Weekend hosted by Little City Books.
The 2026 Literary Festival
Hoboken Literary Weekend is an annual event hosted by local bookshop Little City Books, growing in size every year. In 2026, it’s taking place from April 17th-19th and features authors including Simon Morrison, Andrew McCarthy, Colm Tóibín, and a comedy show hosting five talents. The Local Girl founder Jennifer Tripucka will also join New York Times bestselling author and Baked by Melissa Founder Melissa Ben‑Ishay for a 2PM conversation on April 18th at Mile Square Theatre, sharing sweets + stories (link to join us at the event here!).
All events require tickets, so be sure to check the schedule to learn more about each event + reserve your spots, below!
Read More: 10 Years In, Hoboken’s Independent Bookstore, Little City Books, is Thriving. What’s the Secret?
Hoboken Literary Weekend 2026 Events Lineup
Friday, April 17, 7PM | Simon Morrison with Keith Gessen: A Kingdom and a Village
This event at Little City Books features Simon Morrison and Keith Gessen discussing a thousand-year history of Moscow. Tickets are tiered: $10 for entry or $35 for entry with a signed book. Get tickets here
Saturday, April 18, 1PM | Andrew McCarthy: Who Needs Friends?
New York Times bestselling author Andrew McCarthy will discuss his book Who Needs Friends?, an unscientific exploration of male friendship across America, in conversation with Matt Lawler. Tickets are $29 and include a signed copy. Get tickets here.
Saturday, April 18, 2PM | Come Eat: Melissa Ben-Ishay, in Conversation with Jennifer Tripucka
Melissa Ben-Ishay, co-founder of Baked by Melissa and New York Times bestselling author, will discuss her new cookbook Come Eat with Jennifer Tripucka of The Local Girl. The conversation will take place at Mile Square Theatre and highlight family-friendly recipes, a produce-forward approach to cooking, and the role of food in bringing people together. Tickets include a signed book and cupcakes. Get tickets here.
Saturday, April 18, 4PM | Alia Hanna Habib: Take it From Me w/ Rachel Syme
Alia Hanna Habib, Vice President and literary agent at The Gernert Company, will discuss her book Take it From Me, a guide to building a nonfiction writing career from scratch, in conversation with Rachel Syme, New Yorker staff writer and cultural critic. The event takes place at Little City Books. Get tickets here.
Saturday, April 18, 6PM | Colm Tóibín: The News from Dublin
Colm Tóibín will discuss his book The News from Dublin at Little City Books. Tickets are $29 and include a signed copy. Get tickets here.
Saturday, April 18, 8PM | LITTLE CITY LAUGHING with Leah Williams
Five comedians, including Shaunak Godkhindi, Lizzy Cassidy, Vannessa Jackson, Brandon Follick, and Michael Good, will perform a night of comedy at Little City Books. Tickets are $20.Get tickets here.
Sunday, April 19, 3PM | David Levithan’s Annual YA Panel
David Levithan will host his annual Young Adult panel, featuring a discussion of the topic of authors against banned books. The event will take place at Little City Books and tickets are $10. Get tickets here.
Sunday, April 19, 4PM | A.M. Gittlitz with METROPOLITANS (w/Kevin Baker, The New York Game)
A.M. Gittlitz will discuss METROPOLITANS, a love letter to the New York Mets and a study of the team’s impact on the city, with Kevin Baker. The event takes place at Little City Books. Get tickets here.
Sunday, April 19, 6:30PM | En Route to Romance: 3 Authors on How They Got Here
Three authors from modern romance publisher 831 Stories will discuss how they found their way to writing romance after starting in other genres. The event takes place at Little City Books. Get tickets here.
See More: This 3-Story Bookstore in Montclair is One of the Largest in the Tri-State Area
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