Festival Week: October 18–25

The themes for the 2026 Festival emerged during a year of reflection. How can a world so full of bad news still hold such remarkable beauty that sustains us? The books featured at this year’s Festival provide answers to this question, and renewed energy to resist the urge to stand idle. Join us on Granville Island and other venues across the city to READ, RESIST, and REPAIR; as well as to RENEW and REJOICE.

We know that booklovers engage in reading for many reasons: some to learn; some to be transported to another world; some to spark empathy. Whatever your reason for reading, we know you will come away from this Festival with an admirable pile of must-reads, and some new ways of looking at this world we share.