Thursday, April 16 | 7 PM | Central Library
Maria Semple is the bestselling author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2012), Today Will Be Different (2016), This One is Mine (2008), and the upcoming Go Gentle (2026). Her novels have been translated into 40 languages.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list, was shortlisted for the Women's Prize, and adapted into a 2019 film starring Cate Blanchett. Today Will Be Different became an instant bestseller and was featured on the New York Times Book Review cover.
Before writing fiction, Semple wrote for TV shows including Arrested Development, Mad About You, and Ellen. She grew up traveling Europe until her father, screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., created the Batman TV series. After graduating from Barnard College, she moved to Los Angeles for her TV career before turning to novels.
Semple now lives in New York and is developing a musical adaptation of Where'd You Go, Bernadette with music by KT Tunstall.
Event Info
- Admission is free.
- Doors open at 6:00 PM.
- Seating is first-come, first-served.
- Free parking is available:
- In the Des Moines Public Library parking garage, located below the library on Grand Ave.
- On the surface lot on the corner of 10th St. and Grand Ave., across from the library.
- At the end of the program, there will be a question and answer period. A book signing will follow.
- Books will be available to purchase before and after the program courtesy of Beaverdale Books.
Maria in the News
- Go Gentle by Maria Semple - Publishers Weekly
- The 25 books everyone will be talking about in 2026 - Harper's BAZAAR
- Most Anticipated Books of 2026 - Book Riot