Bonnie Garmus: Peck & Peck

Bonnie Garmus comes to the First Baptist Church of Austin on Tuesday, November 17, for a talk presented by BookPeople. She'll be in conversation with Lucas Schaefer, and the whole thing runs about 45 to 60 minutes.

If you recognize the name, it's probably from Lessons in Chemistry, her debut novel. That one hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, got translated into more than forty languages, and picked up sixteen international literary awards before becoming an Apple TV limited series. Peck & Peck is her second novel, and it takes us into the publishing world of 1980s New York City. It follows Batter Gray, a young man hired by the secretive poetry journal that gives the book its name. Garmus describes herself as a coffee-dependent American novelist, and that same wit carries over into this one.

Moderating the conversation is Lucas Schaefer, who published his debut novel The Slip on June 3, 2025, and has written for One Story, The Baffler, and Slate. He'll be the one guiding the talk through the book and Garmus's process.

There are a few practical things to keep in mind for this one. Every ticket includes a pre-signed copy of Peck & Peck, so you'll walk away with the book regardless. If you want it personalized, you'll need a separate 'Personalization Line Access' ticket, which works on a first-come, first-served basis after the talk. The event starts at 6 PM, with check-in beginning at 5:15 PM, at the First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity Street.