The 30th anniversary of the Texas Book Festival will bring readers together to hear from 250+ authors. | Photo by ATXtoday
The countdown is on until Texas Book Festival — Austin’s annual free celebration of reading — and its 30th anniversary this year.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 8 + Sunday, Nov. 9, because the first star-studded round of authors is here. Keep your eyes peeled for the full list of 250+ authors on Wednesday, Sept. 10, but here are a few of the authors we’re most excited to see.
Chelsea Handler | This comedian, TV host, and writer will be at the festival chatting about her autobiography, “I’ll Have What She’s Having.”
Ali Hazelwood | The author, known for her contemporary romance novels like “The Love Hypothesis,” will be at the festival just after the release of her new novel, “Mate.”
Skip Hollandsworth | A staple at Texas Monthly since 1989, Hollandsworth’s new true crime book comes out in the fall.
R.L. Stine | Get excited if you grew up reading “Goosebumps,” because the best-selling author’s new novel, “The Last Sleepover,” comes out on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
Stand Up To Cancer + $1 Hot Dogs | 7:15-10:15 p.m. | Dell Diamond, Round Rock | $19+ | Make a trip to Round Rock to watch the Express take on San Diego Padres affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, and dine on $1 hot dogs.
“Psycho” | 7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $12 | Alfred Hitchcock’s groundbreaking thriller is best seen on the silver screen.
Thursday, July 31
Jourdain Fisher | Thursday, July 31-Saturday, Aug. 2 | Times vary | Capitol City Comedy Club | $26+ | You may recognize this comedian from his appearances on Comedy Central, “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” and sets at SXSW.
Friday, Aug. 1
Afrobeats Yoga Flow | 6:30 p.m. | Your Yoga | $12 | Flow to the Afrobeats playlist as you work on your strength, breath, and meditation.
Saturday, Aug. 2
Bloom Festival | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Round Rock Garden Center, Round Rock | Free | Join this festival celebrating all things flowers, pollinators, and Texas gardening culture.
Tuesday, Aug. 12
Song In The Storm | 7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $50+ | Lyle Lovett, Michael Martin Murphey, Jimmie Vaughan, Juliana Rankin, Andy Hedges, and more Texas musicians will come together to raise funding for flood relief in the Hill Country.
The interior of Bombshell Betty is race-prepped with a roll cage, fire suppression system, window net, and parachute lever. | Photo courtesy Hot Wheels Legends Tour
Award
Vroom vroom. “Bombshell Betty” — a 1952 Buick Super Riviera — was the winning car at the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Austin stop. Driver Donnie Dye customized the car, which is a six-time record holder at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Development
RIDA Development Corp. plans to build a massive hospitality + tourism project at the Circuit of the Americas. Austin City Council approved a tax agreement for the development, which will consist of a 460,000-sqft convention center and hotel with 1,000 rooms. (Community Impact)
Announced
Waterloo Records will move out of its location catty-corner to the flagship Whole Foods on Sunday, Aug. 24, but don’t fret, because it will open just down the street less than a week later. The iconic record store will celebrate its Saturday, Aug. 30 grand opening with a party.
Cause
Dozens of professional sports teams all across Texas — including Austin FC, the Austin Spurs, and Austin Marathon — banded together to create the Texas Sport for Healing Fund, which will support long-term relief for flooding in the Hill Country. Fans can help raise money during this online auction until Friday, Aug. 8.
Trending
Austinite and jewelry designer Kendra Scott and musician Zac Brown are officially engaged. It’s been a whirlwind romance for the couple — the billionaire fashionista and country star made their public debut in May.
Wellness
Austin’s St. David’s Medical Center is the No. 9 best hospital in Texas and No. 1 in the Capital City, according to a U.S. News & World Report of the best regional hospitals. If you’re looking to get the best possible care in the state, you’ll have to head to Houston Methodist Hospital.
Listen
Keep an eye on the Longhorns’ football freshmen, because there are a handful of heavy-hitters. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Biz
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Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
Travel
Psst — You’re making flying too complicated. Sign up for Going and get emailed when flights to your dream destination are up to 90% off.*
Trending
Just dropped: limited edition colors of Bissell’s viral carpet cleaner, the Little Green Machine. Get all the stain-removing, deep-cleaning action in purple or in blue.*
Asked
Asked
Can you guess the names of buildings in the Austin skyline?
Ah, looks like home, doesn’t it?
Austin’s skyline has been growing steadily over the last ~20 years. Don’t just take our word for it — look how much Downtown’s silhouette has changed from 2007 to 2024. Let’s see if you can name some of the buildings that adorn our city.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I went to a sample sale for Kitty and Vibe, a local clothing company, over the weekend and secured a jumpsuit that didn’t make it to production. The team told me it’s one of only two that exist, so I’m feeling pretty exclusive right now.
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