Read Rocks Reads: October 2026
Welcome to the very first edition of Red Rocks Reads, your new go-to newsletter for all things bookish in St. George and Southern Utah!
We're bringing together local book clubs, author events, book releases, literary news, markets, and more, all in one place.
Whether you're looking to make new bookish friends, discover your next five-star read, support local authors, or find something fun to do this weekend, we've got you covered.
Let's get into it! 📚
📅 UPCOMING VIBRANT BOOK CLUB EVENTS
Your next bookish girls' night is calling!
We've got some seriously fun events coming up in St. George! Whether you're new to the club or you've been hanging out with us for a while, there's always a seat for you.
👻 October 13 | Spooky Candle Painting
Books, candles, crepes, and spooky season? Yes, please!
Join us for a cozy evening painting your very own spooky-inspired taper candles while making new bookish friends.
Your ticket includes two taper candles, two candlestick holders, and all painting supplies. Crepes and drinks will be available for purchase.
🎃 October 27 | Pizza, Pumpkins, & Petals
Crafting, pizza, and a little fall magic!
We're decorating mini pumpkins with beautiful pressed flowers to create the cutest fall decor. We'll provide your pumpkin, petals, and all the supplies. You just bring yourself!
Pizza and drinks will be available for purchase separately.
🎬 November 3 | Private Screening of Wicker
A whole movie theater full of bookish besties? Say less.
We're hosting a private screening of Wicker, complete with popcorn, a 20 oz. drink, and raffle entries included in every ticket.
Bring your reading bestie or come solo and make some new friends!
🍪 December 12 | Book Exchange & Cookie Decorating
We're getting festive with holiday cookie decorating and a wrapped book exchange!
Your ticket includes a holiday cookie decorating kit and all supplies. Bring one wrapped book you've loved to exchange for a surprise new-to-you read.
Coffee and treats will be available for purchase.
🛍️ AROUND THE BOOKISH COMMUNITY
Local happenings worth adding to your calendar.
There's more happening in the Southern Utah book community, and we're here to help you discover it!
🍂 October 17 | Bookish Fall Market
📍 The Orange Peel, Santa Clara
🕙 10 AM–2 PM
🕙 10 AM–2 PM
Fall shopping, but make it bookish!
The Bookish Fall Market is bringing together local authors and makers for a cozy day of shopping. Expect books, Kindle accessories, bookmarks, jewelry, stationery, sourdough bread, cake pops, and plenty of other goodies.
Grab a drink from The Orange Peel and support some amazing local small businesses!
💕 An Evening with Bestselling Author Laura Pavlov
📍 Books-A-Million | St. George
Romance readers, this one's for you!
Books-A-Million is hosting bestselling romance author Laura Pavlov to celebrate the release of The Last Goodbye, the second book in her beloved Blue Sky Bay series.
The evening will feature a moderated conversation with local St. George author Katie West, followed by a book signing and photo opportunity.
Expect behind-the-scenes insights into Laura's writing process, her newest release, and the stories behind the series.
💋 SAVE THE DATE: SMUTTASTIC BOOK FAIR 2027!
The smuttier older sister of the book fair you grew up with is coming back!
September 11–12, 2027 | St. George, Utah
Southern Utah, mark your calendars! 📚💕
Smuttastic Book Fair is returning to St. George for TWO days of romance books, indie authors, bookish vendors, exclusive merch, and all things delightfully smutty.
Whether you're a dark romance girlie, a romantasy lover, or simply love discovering new authors, this is one bookish weekend you won't want to miss.
📅 September 11–12, 2027
📍 St. George, Utah
✨ Authors & Vendors: Applications for our 2027 fair are open!
🏆 LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating big wins for Utah authors!
Alexandria Arden Makes Romance History at the Utah Book Awards!
A huge congratulations to Alexandria Arden, whose debut romantasy novel The Witch Queen was named the inaugural Romance Book of the Year at the 2026 Utah Book Awards!
This is an especially exciting milestone because 2026 marks the first year the awards have included a dedicated Romance category.
The Witch Queen features enemies to lovers, slow-burn romance, political intrigue, fated mates, and a richly developed fantasy world.
The second installment in The Thayar Crown Series, The Shining Prince, is also available for readers ready to continue the story.
📚 Shop Signed Copies: alexandriaarden.com
📖 ON OUR BOOKISH RADAR
Upcoming releases to add to your TBR.
🌊 November 12 | Unsettled Shores by Cayla Cavalletto
Romantasy lovers, it's time to set sail again!
Unsettled Shores, the second installment in Cayla Cavalletto's Blade & Bonds series, releases November 12, 2026.
Readers can look forward to more fated mates, found family, dangerous magic, and questionable decisions as Kira's story continues beyond Broken Tides.
Even better? Cayla is running a preorder milestone giveaway featuring exclusive reader goodies, signed books, and other surprises.
Haven't started the series yet? Broken Tides is available on Kindle Unlimited, so there's still time to catch up!
🍂 KATIE'S KORNER
Fall favorites, current reads & local loves with your St. George host!
Get to know Katie, your St. George Vibrant Book Club host! Each edition, we're giving Katie her own little corner of the newsletter to share what she's reading, sipping, loving, and looking forward to around Southern Utah. 💕
Here's what's on Katie's radar this fall!
🧙♀️ Sipping On: Alani Witches Brew! The ultimate spooky season pick-me-up.
📖 Currently Reading: Heart of Stone by M. Hartley.
💕 Most Excited For: Celebrating bestselling romance author Laura Pavlov's latest release at Books-A-Million this weekend!
🍁 Favorite Local Spot: The Downtown Farmers Market! Katie loves checking out all the amazing and talented local vendors.
Have a book recommendation or a favorite St. George spot Katie should check out? Come tell her at our next book club! 📚
💌 GOT SOMETHING BOOKISH TO SHARE?
We want Red Rocks Reads to be more than just a newsletter. We want it to be a place where Southern Utah's reading community can connect, celebrate, and support each other.
Are you a local author with a new release? Hosting a bookish event? Running a small business for readers? Have some exciting literary news?
We'd love to feature you in an upcoming edition!
❤️ UNTIL NEXT TIME...
Thanks for reading our very first edition of Red Rocks Reads!
We're so excited to continue growing Southern Utah's bookish community, introducing you to local authors and small businesses, and helping readers find their people.
Keep reading, keep supporting local, and we'll see you at the next bookish event!
With love & a little bookish chaos,
The Vibrant Book Club Team 📚