Left Bank Books, in downtown Belfast, invites the public to a talk and book signing by writer Cassandra Neyenesch on Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m., at the bookshop, to celebrate the release of Neyenesch’s debut novel, A Little Bit Bad. Joining Neyenesch in conversation will be Jessica Berger Gross, author of the 2025 hit novel Hazel Says No, which has just been released in paperback. 

Jessica Berger Gross’s debut novel, Hazel Says No revolves around Hazel Greenberg Blum, a high school senior. She and her tight-knit family have just moved from the hustle and bustle of New York City to middle-of-nowhere Maine where her father has gotten a tenured job at a prestigious college. On Hazel’s first day of school, her principal propositions her, setting off a chain of events that affects the family in ways both unfair and fortunate.

This is a free ticketed event; tickets are available through Eventbrite. For questions, call the shop at 207.338.9009 or email info@leftbankbookshop.com.

Left Bank Books is located at 109 Church Street in downtown Belfast, and there’s ample, free parking in front of the shop and in an adjacent city lot.