Book Society + Litquake present a special evening of books, wine, and conversation with Mary Roach
Join us for an unforgettable dinner with New York Times best-selling author Mary Roach as we celebrate the release of her highly anticipated new book, Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy.
Picture this: a long, candlelit table set beneath our sparkling chandelier, surrounded by books and conversation that’s equal parts curious, funny, and deeply human—just like Mary herself. This intimate evening offers a rare opportunity to dine with one of America’s most beloved science writers and experience her signature wit and wonder up close.
In her latest book, Replaceable You, Roach takes readers on a fascinating journey through the ingenious, often bizarre world of medical innovation. From 3D-printed kidneys and prosthetic limbs to heart transplants and frog-skin grafts, she dives deep into humanity’s ongoing quest to rebuild and repair the body. With her trademark humor and fearless curiosity, Roach explores the ethical, emotional, and scientific questions behind the effort to re-create the impossible complexities of human anatomy.
Tickets include:
- Seat around an intimate dinner table
- Curated wine tasting by Saintsbury Winery
- A copy of Replaceable You (and opportunity to have it signed by Mary)
- Opportunity to meet Mary and network with other Mary enthusiasts
This event is presented in partnership with Litquake, San Francisco’s legendary literary festival.*
About Mary
Mary Roach is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Stiff, Spook, Bonk, Gulp, Grunt, Fuzz, and Packing for Mars. Her new book, Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy, debuts in September 2025. Roach has written for National Geographic, Wired, and The New York Times Magazine, and her TED talk made the “TED 20 Most Watched” list. She has been a guest editor for Best American Science and Nature Writing, a finalist for the Royal Society's Winton Prize, and a winner of the American Engineering Societies' journalism award (in a category for which, she admits, she may have been the sole entrant). Learn more at www.maryroach.net
About Litquake
Since being founded by Jane Ganahl and Jack Boulware in 1999, Litquake has hosted 10,500 authors for 275,000 attendees and distributed 12,000 free books to San Francisco schoolchildren. With over 225 literary partners, Litquake functions more than ever as an umbrella organization stitching together the Bay Area’s literary scene. In its lively, diverse, and inclusive celebration of San Francisco’s thriving contemporary literary culture, Litquake seeks to foster an interest in literature, perpetuate a sense of literary community, and provide a forum for Bay Area writing as a complement to the city’s music, film, and cultural festivals.
About Saintsbury Winery
Family-owned and operated since 1981, Saintsbury Winery was founded with a spirit of curiosity and craftsmanship. An early pioneer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Northern California, Saintsbury is based in the Napa Valley and partners with exceptional vineyards and growers throughout the state. Guided by both experience and experimentation, Saintsbury’s open-minded approach in the cellar blends four decades of winemaking expertise with a playful sense of discovery—producing wines that bring people together around the table.
*Tax-Deductibility: A portion of the proceeds from this event support Litquake, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and a portion of your ticket is tax-deductible. Receipts for tax purposes will be provided to registrants after the event.