Powell's Presents: Christen Randall in Conversation With Aiden Thomas
Schedule
Sun, 22 Feb, 2026 at 03:00 pm
UTC-08:00Location
Powell's Books, Inc. (Powell's City of Books) | Portland, OR
Advertisement
From Christen Randall, author of The No-Girlfriend Rule, comes According to Plan (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), a cozy, feel-good queer romance about self-discovery, finding your person, and carving out a space for yourself in unexpected places — perfect for fans of Heartstopper, Felix Ever After, and Julie Murphy.Mal Flowers expected senior-year fall to be full of cozy sweaters, good coffee, and copyediting. As the new editor-in-chief of their school’s literary magazine, they just want to follow The Plan to graduate and get out of their small midwestern town — a place where, as a broke, fat, queer person with ADHD, they’ve never really fit in. But when budget cuts result in the lit mag’s cancellation, Mal is suddenly left scrambling for something to replace it.
That is, until Emerson Pike — who also has ADHD but is loud, confident, and Mal’s complete opposite — suggests the staff go rogue and create a zine instead. Which would be cool, except that making and selling contraband isn’t exactly what Mal envisioned listing as the extracurricular activity on their college application.
A zine would be unofficial, unapproved, and definitely not in The Plan. But a zine is also a good way to spend more time with Emerson, whose playful banter and bad jokes Mal can’t seem to get enough of. And maybe, with a group of new friends, the back of the charming coffee shop where Emerson works could be somewhere Mal does belong. Because breaking the rules with Emerson — and flirting with her over coffee — is fun.
Maybe The Plan isn’t the only way to find happiness, but can Mal let go of something they’ve depended on for so long?
Randall will be joined in conversation by Aiden Thomas, author of Celestial Monsters.
Buy the book: https://www.powells.com/events/christen-randall-9781665939843
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Powell's Books, Inc. (Powell's City of Books), 1005 W Burnside ST,Portland,OR,United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
