Jess Walter SO FAR GONE

Schedule

Thu Jun 11 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

1620 Orrington Ave | Evanston, IL

Advertisement
Jess Walter, #1 New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist, discusses his novel "So Far Gone" at Bookends & Beginnings.
About this Event

On Thursday, June 11, National Book Award finalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author will discuss his new novel about the dysfunction of modern America, , at Bookends & Beginnings.

When Jess unexpectedly had to cancel his Chicago trip to Bookends last year for the hardcover launch of we (and you!) were devastated - we LOVE this book! SO, we were THRILLED when Jess announced he'd be here this year, for the paperback launch. If you already have the hard copy, bring it for Jess to sign, and we'll also have plenty of paperback copies on hand!

Walter's highly anticipated eighth novel is a biting, heartfelt, and sharply comic story about a reclusive journalist, Rhys Kinnick, who reemerges from a self-imposed exile to rescue his missing grandchildren from a fringe militia group. What follows is a raucous and tender road trip across a deeply divided America, populated by unlikely companions and the ghosts of Kinnick’s own regrets. With the acumen that has made Walter a literary standout, the novel dives into the absurdities and anxieties of contemporary life, all while maintaining a buoyant, human core.

is the author of seven previous novels, including the bestsellers and , and the National Book Award Finalist . His short fiction, collected in and , has won the O. Henry Prize, the Pushcart Prize and appeared three times in Best American Short Stories. He lives in his hometown of Spokane, Washington.

The discussion and Q&A will take place downstairs at Bookends & Beginnings and will be followed by a book signing. Doors and the MiniBar will open at 5:00 PM for this event.

Getting here: We are located at 1620 Orrington Avenue, in downtown Evanston, just one block east of the Davis Street Metra and CTA public transit stops. There is metered street parking as well as numerous parking garages nearby.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

1620 Orrington Ave, 1620 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 18.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Bookends & Beginnings

Host or Publisher Bookends & Beginnings

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Evanston

Bodies of Work: Documentary Media MFA Showcase (Night One)
Wed, 10 Jun at 07:00 pm Bodies of Work: Documentary Media MFA Showcase (Night One)

Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Griffin House at Evanston SPACE
Wed, 10 Jun at 07:30 pm Griffin House at Evanston SPACE

Evanston SPACE

CONTESTS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Bodies of Time: Documentary Media MFA Thesis Showcase (Night Two)
Thu, 11 Jun at 07:00 pm Bodies of Time: Documentary Media MFA Thesis Showcase (Night Two)

Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University

ENTERTAINMENT ART
Inara George (of The Bird and the Bee)
Thu, 11 Jun at 07:30 pm Inara George (of The Bird and the Bee)

SPACE

Trousdale
Fri, 12 Jun at 06:00 pm Trousdale

Evanston Space

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Hot Flash Dance x Pink Poster Club: Party With A Purpose
Fri, 12 Jun at 07:00 pm Hot Flash Dance x Pink Poster Club: Party With A Purpose

PALMHOUSE

NONPROFIT PARTIES
Sons of the Silent Age at Space
Fri, 12 Jun at 08:00 pm Sons of the Silent Age at Space

Evanston SPACE

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Constant Passage: A Celebration and Memorial for Paul Edwards
Sat, 13 Jun at 04:00 pm The Constant Passage: A Celebration and Memorial for Paul Edwards

Josephine Louis Theater

ART THEATRE
EDGS Book Talk: "Infrastructures of Impunity" with Elizabeth Drexler
Mon, 18 May at 12:30 pm EDGS Book Talk: "Infrastructures of Impunity" with Elizabeth Drexler

720 University Pl

ART NONPROFIT
GET REAL! non-fiction book group: Wow No Thank You
Mon, 18 May at 07:30 pm GET REAL! non-fiction book group: Wow No Thank You

Hive Center for the Book Arts

NONPROFIT
Julie Schumacher PATIENT, FEMALE
Tue, 19 May at 06:00 pm Julie Schumacher PATIENT, FEMALE

Bookends & Beginnings

ART LITERARY-ART
Ronnie Frey DOORWAYS OF CHICAGO
Thu, 21 May at 06:00 pm Ronnie Frey DOORWAYS OF CHICAGO

Bookends & Beginnings

ART FINE-ARTS
Zayd Ayers Dohrn DANGEROUS, DIRTY, VIOLENT, AND YOUNG
Tue, 26 May at 06:00 pm Zayd Ayers Dohrn DANGEROUS, DIRTY, VIOLENT, AND YOUNG

Bookends & Beginnings

ART ENTERTAINMENT
Elizabeth Margulis, TRANSPORTED
Thu, 28 May at 06:00 pm Elizabeth Margulis, TRANSPORTED

Bookends & Beginnings

ART LITERARY-ART
Jane Fulton Alt STILL LIFE
Tue, 09 Jun at 06:00 pm Jane Fulton Alt STILL LIFE

Bookends & Beginnings

ART LITERARY-ART
Jess Walter SO FAR GONE
Thu, 11 Jun at 06:00 pm Jess Walter SO FAR GONE

1620 Orrington Ave

ART LITERARY-ART
Global Issues, Local Responses Book Club: THE LAST SWEET BITE
Thu, 18 Jun at 06:00 pm Global Issues, Local Responses Book Club: THE LAST SWEET BITE

1620 Orrington Ave

ART MEETUPS
"The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune
Thu, 18 Jun at 07:00 pm "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune

Blue Jay Café

Meghan Malachi NO LACE FRONTS IN IOWA CITY
Sat, 20 Jun at 04:00 pm Meghan Malachi NO LACE FRONTS IN IOWA CITY

Bookends & Beginnings

ART LITERARY-ART
"A Long Petal of the Sea" by Isabel Allende
Thu, 17 Sep at 06:00 pm "A Long Petal of the Sea" by Isabel Allende

South Of The Border Restaurant & Bar

What's Happening Next in Evanston?

Discover Evanston Events