Stuttgarter Buchwochen

In the organizer's words:

"Books can celebrate":
The Stuttgart Book Weeks are a reading festival for all generations

For its 75th anniversary, the Stuttgart Book Weeks invite you to the Haus der Wirtschaft from November 13 to 30, 2025. Around 150 German-language publishers will present more than 7,500 books on 2,000 square meters of exhibition space. The book fair will be complemented by a varied program of events with over 60 readings, talks and workshops. Numerous recommendation lists, themed tables and book recommendations offer inspiration and gift tips for buying books on the spot.

To mark the opening of the Book Weeks on November 12, Ilija Trojanow will be talking to Nele Holdack (editor of the Other Library) about "Literature and Power". Prior to this, State Secretary Dr. Patrick Rapp (Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism), Mayor Isabel Fezer (Youth and Education Department) and Börsenverein Chairman Thomas Lindemann will offer their birthday wishes on the occasion of the 75th anniversary. Afterwards, the Book Weeks invite you to the traditional reception with publishers, booksellers and book fans from the worlds of culture and politics. The opening is generously supported by the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group and is a cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg State Center for Political Education.

Crime novels, guidebooks, politics and literature: prominent voices, great stories

Bestselling author Lutz Geißler will kick off the program of events on 15.11. with expert tips on baking bread in conversation with Petra Klein (SWR). On 16.11., the live recording of the NDR podcast eat.READ.sleep. with Katharina Mahrenholtz and Daniel Kaiser is on the program. On November 17, Klaus-Peter Wolf, who will be presented with the media control award that evening, will be reading. The discussion between Minister President Winfried Kretschmann and Jagoda Marinić about the books that shaped him promises to be exciting, as do the readings by bestselling authors Giulia Enders ("Organisch"), Carsten Henn ("Sonnenaufgang Nr. 5"), Caroline Wahl ("Die Assistentin") and Father Anselm Grün ("Einfach leben"). Ruth Shaw from New Zealand ("Three Little Bookshops at the Other End of the World"), an internationally renowned author, is also represented.

Romance, New Adult & BookTok: Focus on young formats

In addition to established formats, the Stuttgart Book Weeks also focus on new reading and book trends: For the first time, there will be a Silent Reading evening at "Café Blattgold", the Book Weeks' reading café, as well as Romance Day on 14.11. with the "Painted Edges" workshop and a talk round and book signing with Ava Reed, Marie Niehoff and Julia Kuhn, hosted by Sarah Grund from the popular "ausgelesen" podcast.

On November 21, the New Adult evening will focus on another genre that particularly appeals to young readers. In a panel discussion moderated by Nina Wolf (SWR), Carolin Wahl (author), Elena Hein (editor) and reader Antonia Braun will discuss the influence and future of the genre, after which authors Carolin Wahl, Inka Lindberg, Bianca Iosivoni and Kim Leopold will meet for a New Adult talk moderated by BookToker Thomas Sachsenmaier (@thomas_bookclub and SWR DASDING). Followed by book signings, selfies and encounters.

The Book Weeks also offer a variety of workshops: There will be a hip-hop and songwriting workshop with musician Rudy Dioubate, a comic workshop with illustrator Sarah Chand and, as a poetry highlight, a workshop on Instagram poetry with renowned author and literary mediator Carolin Callies.

Book favorites and reading tips: recommended by professionals

If you are looking for guidance in the jungle of new releases, the Book Weeks are the right place for you: literary critic Denis Scheck will be presenting his usual sharp-tongued Christmas 2025 recommendations on 26.11. When Florian Valerius (@literarischernerd) exchanges book tips with bookseller Susanne Link, it will also be entertaining - whether they agree or not.

For the first time, the literary program on the SWR best list will be recorded at the Book Weeks: the jury members Shirin Sojitrawalla, Helmut Böttiger and Klaus Nüchtern will discuss four books from the current December best list on 25.11., moderated by Carsten Otte.

The Stuttgart Book Round Table of booksellers and librarians will also be giving reading suggestions and gift tips under the moderation of literary critic and podcaster Wolfgang Tischer (literaturcafe.de).

Family time: Pippi Longstocking, games afternoon & Christmas caroling

There are also numerous program items for the youngest readers: On November 16, Pippi Longstocking celebrates her birthday - with a craft activity, picture book reading, face painting and quiz. A tiptoi® rally will guide children through the exhibition on 23.11. with a puzzle hunt.

Family Sunday on the 1st Advent, 30.11., is all about Christmas: With a craft workshop, puppet theater and the popular children's book raffle under the Christmas tree. The latest games from KOSMOS Verlag can be tried out at the games afternoon with game explainers. To round things off, Franziska de Gilde, director of the children's and youth choir at Giessen Municipal Theatre, invites you to join in Advent singing under the Christmas tree.

A reading festival for young and old

Once again this year, trainees from Schweitzer Fachinformation are organizing a book sale in cooperation with the Bietigheim book wholesaler Umbreit. Bookshops from the Stuttgart region are part of a promotional concept for the local economy and to maintain the city's cultural diversity.

As in previous years, the Stuttgart Book Weeks will once again focus on promoting reading: as part of the free program for schoolchildren, numerous renowned children's and young adult authors such as Markus Heitz and Sina Flammang will read.

As a media partner, SWR Kultur reports on Baden-Württemberg's largest book show on the radio, online and on TV. The Book Weeks are generously supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism as co-organizer and sponsored by the City of Stuttgart.

Some highlights of the Book Weeks - all others at www.buchwochen.de:

12.11. Opening: Ilija Trojanow in conversation about "Literature and power - words against powerlessness".

the powerlessness"

14.11. Romance themed evening: "Painted Edges" workshop and Ava Reed, Marie Niehoff and

Niehoff and Julia Kuhn in conversation with Sarah Grund

15.11. Talk: Lutz Geißler: "Bake good bread yourself? - Simple basic rules

and practical tips from the bread expert"

16.11. Live podcast: NDR Kultur book podcast "eat.READ.sleep."

17.11. Reading and award ceremony: media control Award to

Klaus-Peter Wolf, reading from "Der Weihnachtsmannkiller"

18.11. Ruth Shaw "Three little bookshops at the end of the world"

20.11. Reading: Giulia Enders: "Organic"

21.11. New Adult theme evening: panel discussion and Carolin Wahl, Inka Lindberg,

Bianca Iosivoni and Kim Leopold in conversation with Thomas Sachsenmaier

24.11. Talk: Father Anselm Grün "Simply Living"

26.11. Denis Scheck: "My favorite books '25 - Christmas recommendations"

27.11. "The Celts in Baden-Württemberg": Archaeology, history and archaeological sites

28.11. Talk: Jagoda Marinić and Winfried Kretschmann: "Books that shaped me".

shaped me"

29.11. Reading: Caroline Wahl: "The Assistant"

30.11. Family Sunday with puppet theater, handicrafts, games afternoon and

Advent singing under the Christmas tree

Tickets are available now at: www.reservix.de, the ticket hotline 0761 88 84 99 99, or at Reservix advance booking offices. From 13.11. also at the Buchwochen-Infotheke, remaining stocks at the Box Office (no guarantee).

The exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 19.30, on Saturday and Sunday from 11.00 to 19.30 in the Haus der Wirtschaft Baden-Württemberg, Willi-Bleicher-Str. 19, 70174 Stuttgart.

Price information:

Prices vary depending on the event/program. Price for the Book Fair as part of the Book Weeks: Day ticket: € 3 // Season ticket: € 8 Free admission to the exhibition for: children up to 14 years, school classes and their accompanying persons, pupils, students, people with disabilities and their accompanying person as well as holders of the Bonuscard.