On Labor Day Weekend, the Library of Congress's National Book Festival opens the doors of the Washington Convention Center to book lovers! This annual event showcases insightful panels, book signings by bestselling and critically-acclaimed authors, and other literary events for readers of all ages.
The schedule is stacked with can’t-miss events from some of the most popular Latinx authors. Here are some of the most anticipated panels of this year's festival.
Truer Than True Crime: Novels about Swindlers and Murderers with Kirstin Chen, Katie Gutierrez, and Amanda Eyre Ward
Saturday, September 3, 2022 9:45 am - 10:45 am EDT
Ballroom A (Level 3, South Building)
What’s with America’s fascination with true crime? These novelists have a few thoughts. Kirstin Chen’s “Counterfeit,” Katie Gutierrez’s “More Than You’ll Ever Know” and Amanda Eyre Ward’s “The Lifeguards” are novels that are thrilling and suspenseful but also reflect on what our intrigue with true crime says about us—moderated by Marion Winik.
One of the festival’s first events is the one I am most excited about. Debut author Katie Gutierrez’s “More Than You’ll Ever Know” was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. While her book relied heavily on society’s fascination with true crime, it also offered a critique of how the genre exploits people’s pain and trauma. I cannot wait to hear more about what she has to say about true crime.
Gutierrez will also be signing books at the Book Signing Stage from 11:00 am-12:00 pm in line 17.
Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca
Saturday, September 3, 2022 10:45 am - 11:15 am EDT
Room 152 (Street Level, North Building)
Explore the Library in Spanish! Featuring an overview of the Library’s history, fun facts about its collections, and an invitation to join the Library for Hispanic Heritage Month. ¡Explore la Biblioteca en español! Con una visión general de la historia de la Biblioteca, datos divertidos sobre sus colecciones, y una invitación para unirse a la Biblioteca para el Mes de la Herencia Hispana.
As someone whose love of reading was fostered in my local library, it is amazing to see how Spanish collections are growing in popularity in local libraries everywhere. With Hispanic History Month starting just a few weeks after the NBF, I am excited to see what the Library of Congress has in store.
Tía Fortuna's New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey with Ruth Behar
Saturday, September 3, 2022 10:50 am - 11:15 am EDT
Hall A (Lower Level)
How do you leave the place you call home? With the support of your family, of course! Ruth Behar captures the struggle of saying goodbye in “Tía Fortuna's New Home,” which follows Estrella, a young girl, as she learns about her culture while she helps her Tía Fortuna pack up her apartment to move to an assisted living community. Moderated by Cecilia Cackley.
This whimsical picture book explores Sephardic Jews living in Cuba and the unique culture of Estrella's family. It is simultaneously educational and cozy, and I can’t wait to hear more about this blended Jewish and Latine culture.
Behar will also be signing books at the Book Signing Stage from 11:30 am-12:30 pm in line 8.
How Many Times Do Kids Have to Save the World?: Deep Adventure Stories with Lev Grossman and Julian Randall
Saturday, September 3, 2022 4:30 pm - 5:05 pm EDT
Hall B (Lower Level)
Isn’t it great when kids are left to solve the world’s hardest problems?! Lev Grossman’s “The Golden Swift,” a sequel to “The Silver Arrow,” follows Kate as she breaks the rules trying to restore balance to nature. Julian Randall’s “Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa” follows Pilar as she unravels her cousin’s mysterious disappearance during Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship. Moderated by Stephanie Handy.
Who doesn’t love a great middle-grade series? Jullian Randall’s “Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa” perfectly combines Dominican history, adventure, and a loveably spunky main character. Stories with complex and smart kids always strike a chord with me, and I am very excited to hear from Randall himself.
There are many more amazing events happening at the National Book Festival, so be sure to check out the full schedule, festival information, and more at https://www.loc.gov/events/2022-national-book-festival/schedule/
Can’t make it in person? Don’t worry, a selection of programs will be live-streamed online and videos of all programs will be available shortly after the Festival.
