Tucson Festival of Books

Catherine Newman (she/her)



Birdy Newman

Catherine Newman is The New York Times bestselling author of the memoirs "Catastrophic Happiness" and "Waiting for Birdy," the middle grade novel "One Mixed-Up Night," the kids’ craft book "Stitch Camp," the bestselling how-to books for kids "How to Be a Person" and "What Can I Say?," and the novels "We All Want Impossible Things," "Sandwich," and "Wreck." Her books have been translated into a dozen languages. She has been a regular contributor to The New York Times, Real Simple, O, The Oprah Magazine, and Cup of Jo. 

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Awards: NEIBA Lifetime Achievement Award


Scheduled events:
Catherine Newman
Catherine Newman signing with Stacks Book Club

Stacks Book Club LLC, Booth #228 (Seats 1)
Sat, Mar 14, 10:30 am - 11:15 am
Fiction / Literature

Author: Catherine Newman
Exclusive for Friends of the Festival — Jane Hamilton and Catherine Newman Visit Friends Hospitality Tent
Jane Hamilton’s novels have won literary prizes, been made into films, and become international bestsellers. Two of them, "The Book of Ruth" and "A Map of The World," were selections of Oprah’s Book Club. Her latest book is "The Phoebe Variations." She has taught at Carleton College and Warren Wilson College and lives in Wisconsin on an apple orchard with her family. Catherine Newman is The New York Times bestselling author of the memoirs "Catastrophic Happiness" and "Waiting for Birdy," and the novels "We All Want Impossible Things," "Sandwich" and "Wreck," her latest work. She's also written the middle grade novel "One Mixed-Up Night," and other books for children. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages. She has been a regular contributor to The New York Times, Real Simple, O, The Oprah Magazine, and Cup of Jo.

Friends of the Festival Hospitality Tent (Seats 40)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sat, Mar 14, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Fiction / Literature

Authors: Jane Hamilton, Catherine Newman
Sponsor: Session made possible courtesy of Arizona Party Rental Companies
Love, Loyalty and Family
Family can inspire love, frustration, sacrifice and even madness. In this session, bestselling authors Catherine Newman, Gary Shteyngart and Jess Walter will explore the lengths we will go to protect, support, or redeem the people closest to us.

Student Union North Ballroom (Seats 670)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sat, Mar 14, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Fiction / Literature
Signing area: Sales & Signing South Ballroom (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

Panelists: Catherine Newman, Gary Shteyngart, Jess Walter
Moderator: Pamela Treadwell-Rubin
Sponsor: Session made possible courtesy of TMC Health
The Ties That Bind
Friendship and family often overlap, collide, and sustain us in ways both joyful and challenging. This panel brings together three authors who explore the interplay between chosen bonds and inherited relationships, showing how these connections shape all of us.

Koffler Room 204 (Seats 300, Wheelchair accessible)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sun, Mar 15, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
Fiction / Literature
Signing area: Sales & Signing Koffler/Commons (following presentation)

Panelists: Jane Hamilton, Emily Nemens, Catherine Newman
Moderator: Meredith Amadee
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Judith Wood, Long Realty, Lindy Mullinax and Ray Moldow

Books:
Wreck
A Novel
Fiction / Literature
HarperCollins Publishers
October 2025
ISBN 9780063453913
Hardcover, 224 pages
Buy now

The acclaimed bestselling author of "Sandwich" is back with a wonderful novel, full of laughter and heart, about marriage, family, and what happens when life doesn’t go as planned. More/less

Sandwich
A Novel
Fiction / Literature
HarperCollins Publishers
May 2025
ISBN 9780063345171
Trade Paperback, 240 pages
Buy now

The instant New York Times bestseller from the beloved author of "We All Want Impossible Things," a moving, hilarious story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch, and learning to let go. More/less