The mission of the Reader’s Advisory Divas and Dudes is to spread the word about all the hidden gems on publishing lists: the debut authors, the books that publishers are very excited about, and the quiet bestsellers. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while two of the Divas offer an exclusive sneak peek at their picks for the best reads for summer 2025.

$5 | Included in Weekend Pass

Each year we kick off our in-person festival with Hamilton Reads, showcasing just a few of the amazing writers that continue to put Hamilton on the literary map. Join local author Jamie Tennant as he sits down with Linzey Corridon (West of West Indian) and Maxie Dara (A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer) to talk about their new books and what it’s like to live and write in Hamilton. You’ll also get a sneak peek of the many other Hamiltonians gracing our stage during festival weekend. 

$12 | Included in Weekend Pass

Our lives, our culture, our community all start with and revolve around food and eating. However, we are entering an era of unprecedented change. Climate, technology, the global spread of crop diseases, droughts, and the loss of pollinators all threaten to change what we eat and how we eat it. Join the book’s editors A.G. Pasquella and Jeff Dupuis alongside contributors Gary Barwin, Anuja Varghese, and A.G.A. Wilmot. This is not the world of the distant future — this is tomorrow.

$12 | Included in Weekend Pass