Amsterdam/Events/Literature

Literature Events in Amsterdam

Book readings, literary festivals, author signings, and poetry in Amsterdam.

24 upcoming literature events

"The Courage to Create" by Rollo May

Sun, 7 Jun 2026 at 15:00

Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM

The Courage to Create by Rollo May sparks a book-club night at Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM, pairing non-fiction psychology with thoughtful discussion on why creativity demands brave visibility.

Bryan Stevenson: The Unfinished Promise of American Justice

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 at 21:30

De Duif

Bryan Stevenson speaks in Amsterdam on the unfinished promise of American justice, exploring legacies that shape the legal system.

An evening with Hazel McBride: A Queen Crowned in Flames

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 at 21:30

ABC Amsterdam, Spui 12 1012XA

Romantasy author Hazel McBride discusses her new novel A Queen Crowned in Flames, the sequel to A Fate Forged in Fire, followed by a Q&A and book signing. Attend at ABC Amsterdam on Spui 12 for an intimate evening of literature and signing.

Cool Machine – Amsterdam Book Club

Thu, 2 Jul 2026 at 20:30

Amsterdam Girls Book Club

Join Amsterdam Book Club for a lively discussion of Colson Whitehead's 'Cool Machine'. Explore the 1980s New York milieu, crime, ambition, and glamour as readers dissect themes and characters in an engaging evening of shared insights.

Joost Oomen leest voor

Fri, 24 Jul 2026

De Parade - M.L. Kingpark

Join Dutch author Joost Oomen for a live reading at De Parade in M.L. Kingpark, Amsterdam. An intimate, family-friendly literary moment in a festive outdoor setting, where stories come alive under park vibes and summer festival air.

Labyrinth Poetry Night

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 at 21:30

Labyrinth Amsterdam

Monthly poetry night at Labyrinth Amsterdam featuring contemporary poets, spoken word artists, and live music, every last Sunday at 19:30.

"Art & Fear" by David Bayles & Ted Orland

Sun, 5 Jul 2026 at 15:00

Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM

Join a book club at Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM for a discussion of Art & Fear by Bayles & Orland, a candid look at doubt, procrastination, and why making more work beats waiting for genius.

De Parade: Mher Brutyan

Fri, 24 Jul 2026

De Parade - M.L. Kingpark

Experience a poetry whispering performance by Mher Brutyan at De Parade in M.L. Kingpark, Amsterdam. An intimate literary moment amid a lively park festival, pairing spoken verse with festival atmosphere.

"Strangeland" by Tracey Emin

Sun, 2 Aug 2026 at 15:00

Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM

Book club at Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM discussing Strangeland by Tracey Emin, a non-fiction coming‑of‑age exploration of class, trauma, and the birth of an artist's voice.

"Poor Artists" by Gabrielle de la Puente & Zarina Muhammad

Sun, 4 Oct 2026 at 15:00

Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM

A book-club discussion at Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM with Gabrielle de la Puente and Zarina Muhammad, offering a sharp, funny tour through the art world’s money myths—who gets paid, who doesn’t, and why.

"Monsters" by Claire Dederer

Sun, 6 Sept 2026 at 15:00

Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM

Book club discussion at Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM on Claire Dederer's Monsters, exploring how brilliant art can come from controversial people.

"The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharp

Sun, 1 Nov 2026 at 14:00

Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM

Book club at Art Studio Amsterdam-NDSM discusses The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, a non-fiction guide to building creative routines.

"House of Day, House of Night" by Olga Tokarczuk

Sat, 27 Mar 2027 at 20:30

The Feminist Book Club

Join The Feminist Book Club in Amsterdam for a discussion of Olga Tokarczuk's House of Day, House of Night. This literary-fiction work braids memory, home, history, and desire into a dreamlike map, inviting thoughtful conversation and connection with fellow readers in a welcoming indoor venue. March 27, 2027, 7:30 PM.

Boekenruil Tussen de Regels

Mon, 15 Feb 2027 at 15:00

De Nieuwe Anita

Book swap event at De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam, inviting attendees to exchange books, discover new reads, and connect with the community.

Amsterdam Book Club: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Mon, 29 Mar 2027 at 15:00

ABC Amsterdam, Spui 12 1012XA

The American Book Center hosts the Amsterdam Book Club for a guided discussion of Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad. Join fellow readers at ABC Amsterdam to explore this historical-fantasy novel, share insights, and hear different interpretations of the literal Underground Railroad.

"The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg

Sun, 21 Mar 2027 at 11:00

The Book Club

Join The Book Club in Amsterdam for a lively discussion of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Explore how cues, routines and rewards shape behavior and how to rewire habits for everyday success.

An afternoon with Andrea Beck: Below the Surface

Mon, 15 Mar 2027 at 14:00

American Book Center

Join Andrea Beck for an afternoon at the American Book Center in Amsterdam as she discusses her debut YA novel Below the Surface, exploring small-town whispers, a vanished student, and the pull of truth through engaging storytelling.

"The Stranger" by Albert Camus

Sun, 21 Mar 2027 at 14:00

Literary Classics Book Club

Join the Literary Classics Book Club in Amsterdam for a thoughtful discussion of The Stranger by Albert Camus. Explore themes of meaning, morality, and belonging as readers dissect Camus's emotionally detached narrator in a lively, accessible setting.

"Audition" by Katie Kitamura

Mon, 22 Mar 2027 at 17:00

Long Story Short Book Club

Join the Long Story Short Book Club in Amsterdam for a discussion of Audition by Katie Kitamura. An actress and a younger man explore shifting roles and blurred truths in literary fiction, with tensions unfolding over lunch and conversation.

Our Sister Killjoy – Book Club Discussion

Sun, 28 Mar 2027 at 15:30

The Black Archives Book Club

Join The Black Archives Book Club in Amsterdam for a discussion of Ama Ata Aidoo's Our Sister Killjoy. This literary-fiction work follows a Ghanaian woman's European journey, scrutinizing race, gender, and belonging. An engaging, ideas-forward session at a culturally rich venue.

Boekpresentatie Archipel in inkt

Thu, 4 Mar 2027 at 21:00

De Nieuwe Anita

At De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam, Boekpresentatie Archipel inkt launches a book presentation and week of programming with independent presses, intimate readings, and a cozy, artful atmosphere.

"Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant

Sun, 21 Mar 2027 at 14:00

Unthinkable

Join a book-club discussion of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason at Unthinkable in Amsterdam. Explore how human reason shapes knowledge and its limits in a welcoming, philosophy-minded gathering—perfect for readers who love rigorous, accessible debate.

An afternoon with Sue Deagle: Do Loss

Sat, 20 Mar 2027 at 17:00

ABC Amsterdam, Spui 12 1012XA

An afternoon discussion with author Sue Deagle about Do Loss: A New Way to Move Through Change at ABC Amsterdam. She will discuss the book, take questions, and sign copies at the event on March 20, 2027 at 4:00 PM. A thoughtful, literary gathering for readers interested in coping with change.

"Disappoint Me" by Nicola Dinan

Thu, 18 Mar 2027 at 19:30

Tea & Tears

Join Tea & Tears in Amsterdam for a book-club discussion of Nicola Dinan's Disappoint Me, a sharp literary fiction novel about love, identity, and timing. This intimate, intellectual gathering invites readers to explore character and heartbreak through lively conversation in a cozy venue.