Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

Some years ago, I went with a friend to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on the UCLA campus, and had a marvelous time browsing the tables, chatting with authors, and listening to the speakers. My fondest memory was the YA panel which included many notable authors, including a new name to me, Jennifer Donnelly, who was talking about her book, A Northern Light. Her description of the story and what had drawn her to write it compelled me enough to buy the book...which I ended up falling into head-over-heels. In fact, it is the book I always respond to interviewers as my all-time favorite young adult novel.


Well, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is coming up again soon, with tons of exciting events, featuring everything from celebrity and author readings, book signings and Q&A’s, live music, comedy and children’s activities to cooking shows, culinary demonstrations and unique food and drink. The Festival will take place once again on the UCLA campus on the weekend of April 24th and 25th, 2010.

A highlight this year is the new Young Adult Stage, with appearances by YA favorites Meg Cabot (whose Airhead we’ve reviewed and even given away t-shirts for here at YA Fresh) and Kate DiCamillo (author of many remarkable novels such as Because of Winn-Dixie).

It sounds like great fun, and I hope to make it. But if I don’t--and you do--please come back and report!