Fiction

• “The House of Eve” by Sadeqa Johnson | Release date: Feb. 7, 2023 | The historical fiction book follows Ruby and Eleanor, two women in DC in the 1950s.
• “The House is on Fire” by Rachel Beanland | Release date: April 4, 2023 | A fictional tale about the Richmond Theater fire in 1811, Beanland’s latest novel comes after the success of “Florence Adler Swims Forever,” released in 2020.
• “Blue-Skinned Gods” by SJ Sindu | Release date: Nov. 2, 2021 | A boy born with blue skin in Tamil Nadu, India travels to New York City in this expansive, heartfelt novel. Younger readers might like “Shakti,” Sindu’s middle-grade graphic novel.
• “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” by Tom Robbins | Release date: April 1, 1990 | The prolific novelist — author of nine books, including this tale of freedom and fate — calls Richmond his hometown.

Learn something new

• “The Devil’s Half Acre” by Kristen Green | Release date: April 12, 2022 | Read the history of how an enslaved woman liberated a slave jail and transformed it into a school — now known as Virginia Union University.
• “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” by Tom Wolfe | Release date: August 19, 2008 | A classic collection of works by one of Richmond’s most notable writers. Did you know Tom Wolfe grew up in Sherwood Park? Or that he went to St. Chris?

For the family

• “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han | Release date: April 6, 2010 | You may recognize the name from the Amazon Prime series, but did you know the author of the original book series is from Richmond? The MLWGS grad also wrote “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” which was adapted by Netflix.

• Lincoln Prize Lecture | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Historic Tredegar, 500 Tredegar St., Richmond | $40-$60 | Dr. Jonathan White will give a lecture on his book, “A House Built By Slaves: African American Visitors to the Lincoln White House,” followed by a panel discussion.
• Halloween Open Skate | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Rollerdome, 4902 Williamsburg Rd., Richmond | $5 | Join River City Roller Derby for a night of skating, costume contests, games, and music by School of Rock Short Pump.

• Halloween Bar Crawl | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 4-11:59 p.m. | New York Deli, 2920 W. Cary St., Richmond | $25 | Your ticket gets you access to two days of fun including 5+ venues, drink specials, and a costume contest.
• FETCH a Cure’s Pets on Parade | Friday, Oct. 27 | 6-10 p.m. | Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St., Richmond | $125+ | Enjoy signature cocktails and auctions at this fundraiser to support pet cancer research and treatment.

• Farmers Fest Fall | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | Soggy Bottom Farm and Feed, 14452 Ashland Rd., Glen Allen | Free entry | Join the Pet Chickens of Virginia Association for fall fun including costume contests, trick-or-treating, and local vendors.
• “Casper” | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 10 a.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $5 | Spend your morning with the friendly ghost at this matinee screening.
• UR Football vs. Campbell | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Robins Stadium, 365 College Rd., Richmond | $30-$55 | Cheer on the Spiders at the homecoming game.

• This lightweight candy pass-out bowl is large enough for all your snacks.
• Want an easy costume (that’s still comfy)? Try this women’s black bat zip hoodie.
• Another easy costume: this men’s “Where’s Waldo?” costume.
• Floating witch hats will make the front porch festive.
• Light the way for trick-or-treaters with orange string lights.

• Westwood Athletics — a 24/7, locally-owned gym — has opened on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. Its founders are David Foster, co-owner of High Point Barbershop, and Jake Rowell, owner of RVA Performance Training. The gym has one $150 membership tier and membership will be capped at around 225 people. (Richmond BizSense)

• The second annual Fall for All Festival is this Saturday, Oct. 28, at River City Middle School. From 12 to 4 p.m. the multicultural celebration hosted by the RPS Language Instruction Educational Program will feature carnival games, food, music, and more.

• Chessa Walker has been promoted to director of the Chesterfield Department of Transportation. Walker is an engineer who has been CDOT’s assistant director since September 2020.

• $900 million. That’s about how much money will be going out in tax rebates in Virginia in the next few weeks, according to the Governor’s office. Taxpayers can check their eligibility online. (WRVA)

• The Chesterfield Historical Society will honor Cornelius Mimms, the county’s first Black member of the Board of Supervisors, with a permanent exhibit at the Chesterfield County Museum. Mimms served two terms in the role from 1881 to 1883 and 1887 to 1889.

• Virginia is now one of 32 states federally designated as a tech hub. This means Virginia development programs will receive part of the total $500 million set aside for grants by the CHIPS and Science Act. (VPM)

• Birdhouse Farmers Market is hosting a special Halloween market on Tuesday, Oct. 31, featuring a vendor costume contest, a theater performance, and a fall photo backdrop. It will also offer hot apple cider and all the usual local veggie vendors. Want more haunted happenings? We’ve got you.

• Did you know Richmond is home to America’s Friendliest Marathon? Join the fun on Saturday, Nov. 11 by tackling one of three courses, forming a spirit group, or passing out medals at the finish line. Sign up to run, cheer, or volunteer.*