Readings · Fairs · Rentals
Where literature and community come together.
We host a diverse array of events featuring local authors, poets, traveling writers, artists, and musicians, and we love to create new ones.
What we host
Our commitment to a vibrant literary community has led us to popular events like the North Park Book Fair and the renowned North Park Square Dance. We have hosted performances for hundreds of local authors, musicians, poets, and artists.
North Park Community Fair
A monthly gathering on the first Saturday of every month, rooted in books, creativity, and the people who make the neighborhood feel like home. Each fair features a different theme and focus. Approachable, collaborative, and community driven.
Verbatim Books in the Park til Dark
Outdoor evenings of reading, swapping, and gathering as the sun goes down. Keep it local, keep it connected.
North Park Book Fair & San Diego Book Crawl
The community events we are best known for helping produce, celebrating independent bookselling across the neighborhood and the city.
Are you an author or publisher interested in hosting an event at Verbatim? Though we are a primarily secondhand bookstore, we can order new books from publishers or Ingram, and we are always happy to consider events for traveling authors whose work aligns with our selection. We love events that go beyond the traditional signing and offer patrons a chance to connect deeply with authors and their work, and we lean toward proposals with multiple participants. For obvious reasons, we do not host events for Amazon-published books.
A room full of books makes a memorable room.
Private event rentals for book launches, workshops, and intimate gatherings.
Private event rentals
We take great pride in curating a select number of small private events each year, creating intimate and memorable experiences for our guests. Whether you are planning a book launch, a literary celebration, a workshop, or a creative gathering, our carefully curated shelves of new and used books make a unique backdrop. We prioritize gatherings that have a genuine connection to our store or a compelling story behind why they wish to use the space.
To talk about an event or a rental, reach the shop at (619) 501-7466 or message us on Instagram. Follow along there for the latest dates and lineups.