Maybe it’s the fall travel, but the past few years I’ve been looking for ways to spread my Christmas spending throughout of the year. That also allows me to spend time away from the malls and enjoying my favorite Christmas activities instead (watch this space for more details on that later this year.) I’m a big believer in books as presents and I think books personalized by the author are a nifty gift. Also, having the opportunity to hear some of your favorite authors read their works, outside on the National Mall surrounded by a bunch of other book lovers is a nice treat too. So, how handy is the National Book Festival sponsored by the Library of Congress on Saturday, 30 September.
There will be over 70 authors reading in tent pavilions (no standing out in the sun) dedicated to Teens & Children, Fiction & Fantasy, Mysteries & Thrillers, Home & Family, History & Biography, and Poetry. Authors include Doris Kearns Goodwin, Deborah Tannen, Bob Woodward, Geraldine Brooks, Christopher Buckley, George Pelecanos, Scott Turow, and Poet Laureate Donald Hall.
The last couple of years I volunteered and had a great time. If you’re looking to volunteer, drop a note to bookfest@loc.gov.
If getting books signed is more important to you than hearing authors read, be sure to check the schedule. Some authors are very popular and will have lines several hours long. Please be patient and understand that the authors really are trying to get to as many people as possible. You can help by having a post-it note with the name and desired message printed legibly and knowing that they may limit the number of items signed in order to get as many people through the line as possible. So my advice is plan your day, bring water, be patient and if there’s a book you really must have signed, buy it ahead of time and bring it – don’t depend on the book pavilion to have it in stock that day.
Well, HFFS was asleep at the switch for this one folks. Tickets for David Sedaris at the Baltimore Meyerhoff went on sale June 1 and we have none. NONE. WTF? We want answers! We want accountability! We really want tickets!