1. Surprise Me – Because isn’t an openness to the joys of being “surprised” at heart of this event? If you choose “surprise me” as one or more of your dinner options we will still honor any dietary preferences… just be sure to tell us these preferences when you sign up.

2. A is for Alibi – Sue Grafton
Channel the stylish California atmosphere of the 1980s, where sharp wit and lingering secrets set the stage for mystery. The signature Santa Teresa Sunset cocktail kicks off the evening, while crisp California Chardonnay flows throughout the meal. With vibrant West Coast flavors (think shrimp scampi with linguini, asparagus with sun dried tomatoes, and stuffed mushrooms), this dinner is a fitting tribute to Sue Grafton’s beloved detective. P

3. A Long Way Home – Saroo Brierley
A little boy lost on a train survives on his own for weeks in Calcutta until he is rescued—and goes on to write a best-selling memoir about his search for his roots. Celebrate his triumphant story of persistence by finding your way to this Indian feast, which offers both vegetarian and meat options. M, V

4. A Mask the Color of the Sky – Bassem Khandaqji
Explore the culture, geography, history, and identity of Palestine at this feast of Falastin cuisine, a vibrant culinary tradition rooted in the West Bank, Gaza, and historical coastal cities that features fresh, seasonal produce, olive oil, complex spice blends, and signature ingredients such as sumac, za’atar, tahini, and chickpeas. V, M

5. Auntie Mame – Patrick Dennis
As Auntie Mame said, “Life is a banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death!” This feast, prepared by a local fishmonger and a DC pastry chef, will honor the bon-vivant protagonist with three spirited seafood courses and an adventurous dessert. Naturally, martinis and daiquiris will be served! Period dress optional. P

6. Bangkok Wakes to Rain – Pitchaya Sudbanthad
A novel about expatriates in nineteenth-century Siam transformed by natural forces and impermanence inspires this feast, at which you’re invited to share your own life-changing stories over Tom Kha Gai (lemongrass-scented chicken and mushroom coconut broth), Khao Soi (egg noodles with crispy toppings), Pad Ped Pla Duk (dry curry catfish), a triple-lime daiquiri, and malty Singha beer. M

7. Change the Recipe – José Andrés
Feast your way around the Mediterranean at this culinary celebration of DC’s—and the world’s—favorite humanitarian chef. With chicken, shrimp and vegetable entrees, guests of all culinary persuasions will find a home at this table. You’ll enjoy a vibrant selection of dishes from ports of call in Andalusia, Tangier, Sicily, Santorini, Beirut, and beyond—regions known for their fresh, sun-drenched ingredients and recipes you won’t want to change. M, P, V

8. Cosi Fan Tutti – Michael Dibdin
An Aurelio Zen mystery set in Naples gives the hosts of this dinner a chance to share their deep love of Italian history and cuisine. This meal, featuring Bistecca Fiorentina and risotto, will raise the spirits of even the most hardboiled of police detectives. M

9. Death in the Afternoon – Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway wrote about Spain’s heritage of bullfighting in this book, exploring themes of fear, courage, and tradition. This dinner will celebrate Spain’s less gory, but no less deep, culinary traditions with a meal featuring tapas, paella parellada, Spanish salad, an elegant Spanish cake, and a variety of sherries served with each course. M

10. Dream Count – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Inspired by the follow-up work to Adichie’s Americanah, this vegetarian dinner celebrates the warmth, resilience, and rich cultural connections woven throughout the novel. Like the stories of the four women in the book, this feast will weave together various strands of Nigerian cuisine. The menu features a comforting peanut yam stew served alongside fragrant jollof rice. V

11. Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This family-style feast links the French-speaking worlds of Acadia, Québec, and Louisiana, with a focus on migration, memory, and resilience. Graze on roasted okra, stuffed mirlitons, and rich chicken and sausage gumbo; sip sortilège sidecars and caribou, Québécois mulled wine; and indulge in a maple-infused bread pudding. No passport required. M

12. Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
Follow Victor Frankenstein and the Creature as they chase one another from the shores of Lake Geneva to the Arctic Ocean. You’ll enjoy comforts that eluded Shelley’s characters, such as cocktails inspired by the novel, life-giving crudités, hot smoked salmon, mushroom tart, braised angus beef with polenta, and Swiss chard. Sounds downright electrifying! M

13. In Cold Blood – Truman Capote
Don your finest black-and-white attire and step into the glittering world of Truman Capote for a sophisticated vegan feast inspired by his legendary ball. Expect elegant cocktails, lively conversation, and a menu that evokes the author’s Southern roots, including hearts of palm “oysters” Rockefeller, mushroom “shrimp” cocktail, wine-braised portobello steak, potato gratin dauphinoise, roasted vegetables, and pecan pie. VG

14. Kitchens of the Great Midwest – J. Ryan Stradal
A celebrity chef with a “once in a lifetime palate” is the protagonist of this novel, but guests with palates of all levels of refinement will be pleased by this meal from the Heartland. Freshwater fish and classic Midwestern vegetarian sides will be complemented by spicy cocktails, a nod to the main character’s obsession with the “Widowmaker” chili pepper. P, V

15. My Boats: A Life by Sail and Oar – Duncan Spencer
The Literary Feast almost always has a “local author” featured — and this year is no different. Join Capitol Hill’s own Duncan Spencer for a feast inspired by “Lobscouse and Spotted Dog,” the cookbook companion to Patrick O’Brian’s famous seafaring novels.  Rather than Spencer’s usual fare offered on one of his five transatlantic sails (Dinty Moore stew and pea soup), you will sample Solomongundy and Boiled Baby pudding, and a cup of Rum Punch served in pewter tankards won by our Captain in his many rowing regattas. M

16. Pachinko – Min Jin Lee
This feast will echo one family’s journey from Korea to the streets of Japan: soy-glazed Chilean sea bass, a nod to the coastal village where the story begins; a selection of Korean vegetable side dishes (banchan), celebrating the protagonists’ Korean Heritage; Japanese-style curry, evoking the blending of cultures; and matcha lattes and sesame shortbread cookies for a sweet ending. P

17. Playing for Pizza – John Grisham
Your hosts hope that, like the hero of this book—a former NFL player consigned to a team in Parma, Italy—you’ll enjoy meeting new people and losing yourself in the pleasures of good food and wine. They’ll kick off the party with a charcuterie and veggie platter and take off running with homemade pizza and salads. M, V

18. Project Hail Mary – Andrew Weir
Unlike the lone astronaut who must save the earth from disaster, your mission is simple: enjoy an out-of-this-world feast of space-themed foods, such as cheesy, star-shaped puff pastries, a salad of spacecraft-grown “crops” like edamame and sweet potatoes over a bed of greens, burritos (both meat and veggie), galaxy cocktails, and Rocky Road ice cream with brownies. M, V

19. Quo Vadis – Henrik Sienkiewicz
“Whither goest thou?” If you’re headed for this Roman feast, you’ll enjoy a dinner fit for an emperor, starting with bruschetta Toscana and an Italian charcuterie board served with sparkling Prosecco, followed by a primo of pasta carbonara, a secondo of beef with peppercorn sauce, and plenty of robust Italian wines. M

20. Sea of Poppies – Amitav Ghosh
This dinner unfolds dramatically at sea and in Asian port cities on the eve of the Opium War. Aromatic dishes evoke the rich tapestry of cultures that fill the pages of Sea of Poppies. Indian dishes with a touch of Bengali cuisine will be featured in this vegetarian and pescetarian meal. P, V

21. Sideways – Rex Pickett
Sideways, both the book and the film, is about a road trip by two less-than-palatable characters through the southern California wine country. This feast is all about wine and not the road trip, and it will certainly be palatable, with a variety of white and red wines. Your hosts will include one wine specially crafted by them to illustrate the mystery and magic of the grape – matched  with Mediterranean small plates such as baba ganoush and sizzling garlic shrimp. They will also reveal the inside wine joke from Sideways, that almost nobody knows. Salud! P

22. That Awful Mess on Via Merulana – Carlo Emilio Gadda
Set in pre-facist Rome during 1927, this story of robbery, murder and political intrigue is said to be one of the great Italian novels, despite being an unfinished work! The hosts of this meal invite you to complete the narrative arc with an Italian meal featuring shrimp scampi and freshly made pasta with puttanesca sauce. Red and white wines flow throughout alongside chilled San Pellegrino, creating a convivial Roman table… any intrigue and mess will be up to you! M, P

23. The Amalfi Curse – Sarah Penner
A combination of historical fiction and fantasy tells a tale of witches, deep sea diving, and family secrets off the coast of Positano. For the dinner, expect a slow-food experience that will whisk you away to the Amalfi Coast with its lemons, fresh sea food and artisanal pastas. M, P

24. The Blessing Way – Tony Hillerman
Beyond the last bend of the road, where the New Mexican mesas hold the evening light and the air carries the scent of juniper and rain, supper is waiting. Nothing hurried, nothing fancy, just classic favorites like guacamole and chips, cheese or vegetable enchiladas with red chile, frijoles, pintos, green chile-maple sweet potatoes, calabasitas, and tortillas. ¡Provecho! V, G, VG

25. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test – Tom Wolfe
Join the Merry Pranksters for a culinary romp through the psychedelic sixties. Expect an eclectic American menu of fresh, retro dishes with a wink to counterculture inspirations (though no “surprise” ingredients, we promise!). Tune in, turn on, drop out—and be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. M

26. The Island of Missing Trees – Elif Shafak
Celebrate the divided, yet deeply connected, lives of Kostas and Defne whose love grows across the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus during a time of conflict. This Mediterranean feast celebrates the flavors of the region: Salmon with orzo, olives and tomatoes; harissa-spiced chicken; and cauliflower steak. Of course, for a novel partially narrated by a fig tree, the salad will feature figs! M, P, V

27. The Land and Its People – David Sedaris
Sedaris’ essays about travel, family, friendship and the occasional dog bite serve as inspiration for this Feast. The well-traveled humorist keeps a running list of “Countries I Have Been,” and this meal is inspired by the movement from his southern roots to world-traveler. Enjoy an elevated “meat and three” meal featuring beef bourguignon, and vegetable sides like swiss chard gratin, and asparagus with green garlic chimichurri. M

28. The Leopard – Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
Considered to be one of the most important novels in modern Italian literature, The Leopard is a historical novel about the Sicilian author’s own family history during the rise of the Red Shirts. This Gluten Free meal will celebrate Italian cuisine with Roman chickpea soup, Mediterranean cod and other Sicilian-inspired food. GF

29. The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny – Kiran Desai
This multi-generational saga carries the reader across both time and space, and this Feast will do the same. The story of a love affair between two young Indian immigrants to the US inspires this journey across the book’s settings (India, Italy, Mexico, Vermont and New York City) — fitting for a novel that is fundamentally about people caught between cuisines, cultures, and homes. M

30. The Odyssey – Homer
A feast fit for gods, Phoenician kings – and anyone wise enough not to eat the Cattle of the Sun – this vegetarian banquet brings Odysseus’ epic journey to life, celebrating the legendary crops, herbs, and mythological temptations of the Mediterranean. We won’t get lost on our journey, but we might encounter some delights along the way! V

31. The Oyster Diaries – Nancy Lemann
Like your hosts, the author of this memoir was transplanted to DC from coastal Louisiana, and their feast revels in the taste, smell, and sounds of Cajun and Creole cuisine. Savor a menu of crawfish étouffée, chicken and andouille gumbo, boudin, corn maque choux, flame-grilled oysters, dirty rice—and maybe a sazerac or two. Allez! On y va! M

32. The Pairing – Casey McQuiston
Join a gastronomic adventure through Europe, hitting some of the stops that exes Kit and Theo visit as they find themselves together on a food tour four years after their breakup. You will depart from London (tea and scones) with stops in France (for some cheeses) and Spain (tortilla de patatas) before making your way through Italy to finish off the evening’s tour. The journey will be vegetarian friendly with a few meat options along the way. M, V

33. The Paris Wife – Paula McLain
This New York Times bestseller is a re-telling of Earnest Hemingway’s early career as a novelist from the perspective of his first (of four) wives, Hadley Richardson. While the marriage ended in disaster, this meal is sure to have a more successful arc… especially as it takes its culinary inspiration from that other famous “Paris Wife,” Julia Child. Think boeuf bourguignon and the joy of a good home cooked meal. M

34. The Shape of Water – Andrea Camilleri
Everybody knows that the key to finding Italy’s finest cuisine is to follow a local to their favorite trattoria. Who better to guide you than police inspector Salvo Montalbano, the protagonist of 28 novels and buongustaio of southern Sicilian cuisine? Expect to find a table laden with seafood, Sicilian antipasti, and the unique wines of the Mount Aetna region. P

35. The Sheltering Sky – Paul Bowles
Get ready to take a ride on the Marrakesh Culinary Express under a Sheltering Sky. Your journey may include a first stop at an array of signature Middle Eastern appetizers (think hummus and babaganoush), a visit with b’stilla, the traditional savory Moroccan meat pie, ending at your final destination - the classic tagine, couscous and spiced carrots. All so good, you’ll be tempted to “eat it again, Sam.” M

36. The Terracotta Dog (Il Cane Di Terracotta) – Andrea Camilleri
Unearth the sultry secrets of Sicily at this deliciously mysterious Inspector Montalbano feast. Your culinary investigation begins with artisanal antipasti, but the real breakthrough comes with a steaming bowl of traditional Sicilian pasta and savory “braciole” (beef rolls stuffed with garlic, herbs, and cheese) simmered in a rich tomato sugo. It’s a meal so stunningly authentic, you’ll suspect it was smuggled straight out of Vigàta. M

37. There Are Rivers in the Sky – Elif Shafak
This novel about characters united in their connection to the ancient city of Ninevah provides the backdrop to a Middle Eastern feast with a Turkish twist. On offer will be a variety of traditional mezze such as olives, tzatziki, and dolma, eggplant borek, vegetable salads, soup and bread. May it bring you health! V

38. Washington’s Crossing – David Hackett Fischer
This colonial holiday dinner honors the patriots who helped turn the tide of war with a surprise attack at Trenton on Christmas Day 1776. Start with a champagne toast, then enjoy cream of asparagus soup, roast goose, mac and cheese from an 1830s cookbook, and greens that Thomas Jefferson might have grown. To health and prosperity! M