Abraham Verghese to Headline Kepler’s Literary Foundation Annual Benefit

MENLO PARK, CA, UNITED STATES, October 19, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Kepler’s Literary Foundation is set to host an annual benefit event on Monday, November 16, featuring renowned author Abraham Verghese. The event, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kepler’s landmark bookstore, located at 1010 El Camino Real in Menlo Park, California, is expected to raise funds for the non-profit’s author event series and community programs.

Verghese, a New York Times best-selling author and the Linda R. Meier and Joan F. Lane Provostial Professor in the Stanford University School of Medicine, will be in conversation with Angie Coiro, Kepler’s journalist-in-residence. The event is part of the foundation’s annual fall celebration, which also marks the launch of the Kepler’s Leadership Circle campaign. This new, multi-year initiative aims to ensure long-term stability for the foundation’s literary programs in the community. The campaign has already raised $350,000 toward its $550,000 goal.

Tickets for the exclusive event range from $250 to $1000 and are tax deductible, excluding the estimated cost of goods and services (estimated at $140 per ticket). Space is limited, and reservations are highly recommended.

Kepler’s Books, an independent bookstore and cultural landmark, has been a cornerstone of the Peninsula’s cultural life for over 70 years. It has welcomed a roster of notable authors and public figures, solidifying its reputation as a vital cultural institution. Kepler’s remains dedicated to promoting literacy, fostering creative thinking, and providing a vibrant gathering space for the exchange of ideas.

The event is a significant opportunity for the community to come together and support the literary programs that Kepler’s Literary Foundation offers. By hosting such a distinguished author as Verghese, the foundation highlights the impact of its non-profit programs on the Peninsula and expresses gratitude to its donors for their support. The event will also celebrate the recently launched Leadership Circle campaign, which is designed to secure the future of Kepler’s literary programs through long-term financial support.

Kepler’s Literary Foundation considers itself a cornerstone of the Peninsula’s cultural life. Over the years, it has hosted a diverse array of authors and public figures, including Salman Rushdie, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anthony Bourdain, and Walter Isaacson. Kepler’s is nationally recognized for its innovative business model, which pairs a for-profit bookstore with a non-profit educational and events program. This approach has inspired independent bookstores across the country.

The event is open to the public and is expected to draw a diverse crowd of literature enthusiasts, community members, and supporters of Kepler’s Literary Foundation. By bringing together such a distinguished author and a community of supporters, the foundation aims to continue its mission of fostering a love of literature and promoting the exchange of ideas in the community.

The event is a testament to the enduring commitment of Kepler’s Literary Foundation to the literary life of the Peninsula. By hosting such a distinguished author as Verghese, the foundation highlights the impact of its non-profit programs and expresses gratitude to its donors for their support. The event is a significant opportunity for the community to come together and support the literary programs that Kepler’s Literary Foundation offers.