Readings & Conversations

About

It’s probably no spoiler that we believe in the power of literature. We also believe the connection between a writer and reader is a sacred bond. For more than 20 years, The Cabin’s Readings & Conversations series has featured literary superstars, bestselling authors, and high-profile thinkers to jumpstart community conversations on critical issues. From MacArthur Fellows to National Book Award winners, some of our past authors include Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ann Patchett, Jesmyn Ward, Jennifer Egan, Reza Aslan, Matthew Desmond, Anthony Doerr, Colson Whitehead, Tara Westover, Gloria Steinem, and David Grann.

A Readings & Conversations lecture is typically an original talk by the author on the subject of their choice. It can be about their current book, upcoming projects, past works, relevant cultural issues, and more. The talk runs for about an hour and is followed by a 20ish minute Q&A from the audience, moderated by Kurt Zwolfer, The Cabin’s Executive Director.

2026-27 Series Lineup

See details for the series lineup here.

Buy Readings & Conversations Tickets

OPTION 1

Buy Series Tickets

With ticket options at a variety of price points, there’s a package for every reader.

Every series ticket includes admission to all five Readings & Conversations events plus five hardcover books by our featured authors (a $160.99 value).

For help choosing the best package or viewing seating locations, please see the seating chart below.

2026-27 Readings & Conversations series tickets are sold out

If you have questions, please call (208) 331-8000 or email info@thecabinidaho.org.

OPTION 2

Buy Individual Event Tickets

Individual tickets are available for our events with John Green and Michael Lewis. Each individual ticket includes a book from the featured author.

Events at the Egyptian Theatre will have rush tickets available day of the event dependent on availability.

Seating Chart and Ticket Prices

Timeline to Purchase 2026-27 Series Tickets

Members will receive a link to purchase 2026-27 series tickets by email. Series tickets will not be available for sale online until they go on sale to the general public on June 11, 2026.

May 19, 2026

Cabin members with a $300+ level membership will receive an email to purchase blind R&C series tickets (without knowing the lineup) at 10 AM.


May 28, 2026

The 2026-27 series lineup will be announced at Robin Wall Kimmerer’s R&C lecture.


May 29, 2026

Cabin members at any level with current series tickets, will receive an exclusive email to purchase 2026-27 R&C series tickets at 10 AM.


June 4, 2026

All Cabin members will receive an email to purchase R&C series tickets at 10 AM.


June 11, 2026

Any remaining series tickets go on sale to the general public on the website.

FAQs

Guest Communications

Do you have a guest who attends Readings & Conversations with you? Fill out out the form with their contact information and we’ll make sure they receive all communications about the series.

Individual Ticket Timeline

Individual tickets to John Green with Anthony Doerr and Michael Lewis with Jacob Weisberg are now available.

Each individual ticket includes a book from the featured author.

For events held at The Egyptian Theatre, The Cabin sells last-minute, returned season tickets in the lobby beginning at 6:30 PM the night of each lecture.

These seats can be anywhere in the theater and are sold on a first-purchase, best availability basis.

“I do a lot of book touring and events, but my visit to Boise stands out as one of the best. The evening event on stage at the magnificent Egyptian Theater was...magnificent! The audience was warm and welcoming, and I learned so much about the fascinating history of the city. But the truly memorable part of the trip was my visit to Capital High, and the enthusiasm and excitement of the forty or fifty students who had read my novels and came to the library during their lunch hour to talk about writing. We had a wonderful conversation, and I was so moved by the students' thoughtful questions and by the dedicated efforts of their librarians to cultivate this love of books and nurture this generation of young readers and writers. And, finally, the folks at The Cabin are my heroes, working on the front lines of the culture wars to keep our libraries open, our speech free, and our books in circulation.”

Ruth Ozeki, author of The Book of Form and Emptiness, 2023 Readings & Conversations Guest Lecturer

The 2025-2026 season is sponsored by:

 

Past Guests

2025-2026

Geraldine Brooks
Jill Lepore
Alison Bechdel
Chris Bohjalian
Robin Wall Kimmerer

2024-2025

Ira Glass
Lydia Millet & Richard Powers
Angeline Boulley
Sandeep Jauhar
Luis Alberto Urrea
Tea Obreht

2022-2023

Reza Aslan
Rainn Wilson
Amor Towles
Joy Harjo
Ruth Ozeki
Patrick Radden Keefe

2021-2022

Sandra Cisneros
Louise Erdrich
Anthony Doerr
Josh Ritter in conversation with John Darnielle
Cathy Park Hong
Richard Powers

2020–2021

Barbara Kingsolver
Patti Smith
Madeline Miller
James McBride
Laila Lalami
Mary Roach

2019–2020

Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ann Patchett
Jad Abumrad
Francisco Cantú

2018-2019

Matthew Desmond
Tayari Jones
Tara Westover
David Grann
Jennifer Egan

2017-2018

Reza Aslan
Jesmyn Ward
Colson Whitehead
Viet Thanh Nguyen
Katherine Boo

2016-2017

Gloria Steinem
Colum McCann
Juan Felipe Herrera
Aimee and Karen Bender
Lauren Groff

2015-2016

Anthony Doerr in conversation with Jess Walter
Daniel James Brown
Roz Chast
George Saunders
Jacqueline Woodson

2014-2015

Erik Larson
Chris Abani
Markus Zusak
Sherman Alexie
Karen Russell

2013-2014

Ruth Reichl
Junot Diaz
Susan Orlean
Cheryl Strayed

2012-2013

Abraham Verghese
Anthony Doerr
Firoozah Dumas
Andrew Ross Sorkin

2011-2012

Jonathan Franzen
Chris Abani
Elizabeth Strout
Scott Simon

2010-2011

T.C. Boyle
Maile Meloy, Tony Doerr
Elizabeth Gilbert
W.S. Merwin

2009-2010

Frank Deford
Annie Proulx
Michael Chabon
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

2008-2009

Michael Pollan
Aimee Bender, Tony Doerr
Edward Albee
Alexander McCall Smith

2007-2008

Richard Ford
Mary Oliver
Luis Alberto Urrea
Marjane Satrapi

2006-2007

Amy Tan
Joyce Carol Oates
Andrei Codrescu
Barry Lopez

2005-2006

Walter Mosley
Anne Garrels
Marilynne Robinson
Billy Collins

2004-2005

Anne Lamott
Russell Banks
Scott Momaday
Sarah Vowell

2023-2024

Steve Inskeep
Nicholas Kristof
Ayana Mathis
Gabrielle Zevin
Ed Yong
Elizabeth Gilbert

2003-2004

Terry Gross
Dave Eggers
Naomi Shihab Nye
Dr. Oliver Sacks

2002-2003

Ira Glass
Frances Mayes
Sandra Cisneros
David Sedaris