As I have mentioned several times already, I am leaving the Midwest behind tomorrow for a weekend of sun, sand and books in southern California.
Fellow book blogger and dear friend Florinda (The 3R’s Blog) is letting me crash on her couch (and making sure I have sunscreen to wear) so we can go to the the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, a two-day event at the University of Southern California, this weekend.
Our initial list of potential readings and events to attend was huge, but after some back-and-forth and prioritizing, we managed to organize a pretty laid-back schedule of six readings over two days. The conversations are technically free, but they charge a small fee to reserve tickets ahead of time because most are indoors. Here’s what we’ve got planned:
- Current Events: Places in Crisis featuring Sheri Fink, Charlie LeDuff and Amy Wilentz
- B.J. Novak, author of One More Thing, in conversation with Kenneth Turan
- REDSHIRTS: From Page to Screen featuring John Scalzi, Jon Shestack and Pamela Ribon
- Memoir: Live (and Laugh) Through This featuring Anna David, Annabelle Gurwitch, Pamela Ribon and Lilibet Snellings
- Are We What We Eat?: The Culture of Food featuring Gustavo Arellano, Jonathan Gold and Dana Goodyear
- Nonfiction: Exploring a Singular Pursuit featuring Tom Bissell, Dana Goodyear, Edward Humes and Greg Sestero
Aside from those events, I think we are both most excited to get books signed by Sheri Fink, author of Five Days at Memorial, and Rainbow Rowell, author of Fangirl (and Eleanor and Park, but I think we’re psyched for Fangirl). I’m also excited to get some books signed by Leigh Bardugo, author of the Grisha Trilogy, if the timing works out.
Other than that, I don’t really have any idea what to expect other than that it will be warm and sunny – a welcome change from early spring in Minnesota. If you’re in Southern California and plan to be at the LATFOB for part of the weekend, let us know so we can try to meet up!
I won’t be updating the blog over the weekend, but I will be sharing our adventures on Instagram: http://instagram.com/kimthedork
And in case you were wondering, the books I packed to read on the plane are Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates, which seems appropriate for a trip out to LA, and The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison (if it arrives in the mail today) because I’m craving some excellent essays. I’ve also got both The Martian by Andy Weir and Veronica Mars and the Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham on audio to keep me company. It’s going to be a good trip.
Photo Credit: LA Times Festival of Books 2010 by pop culture geek
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I’m sure you and Florinda will have a blast! Safe travels!
That sounds like SO MUCH FUN!!! I think I would go all fangirl on Rainbow Rowell, and would love to hear from B.J. Novak. I can’t wait to hear about it when you come back!!!
Woo — sounds awesome! Hope you have a wonderful time. Just soaking up the sunshine will be a welcome change of pace, I’m sure!
I hope it’s a great time! Can’t wait to follow the instagram photos.
How fun! I wish I could go this year. Last year was fantastic.
Have ever so much fun! Then come to Chicago for Printers Row Book Fair in June!!!
The Festival won’t quite look like the photo you posted–it was still being held at UCLA in 2010. USC is less scenic, but it’s more compact and less hilly, so the walking is easier.
And…24 hours from the time I’m posting this, you’ll be in SoCal :-D!
Oh terrific! Have a wonderful time! & report back.
cheers. http://www.thecuecard.com/
Enjoy! Looking forward to the updates!
How cool, how cool to meet Rainbow Rowell! Make sure to tell her that all the bloggers think she is the best. :p
Have a safe trip and lots of fun at the festival! 🙂
I’m envious! Sounds like a wonderful time! Have fun and take a lot of pictures!
Have a wonderful time! I hope your copy of Empathy Exams arrives – it’s wonderful.
Have fun! Hope you write up a little something about it later!
Safe travels! Have a wonderful time!
Wow, wow, wow all the non-fiction goodies! I know you’re already having a great time from your Instagram pics, but hope that it’s all fantastic!
I am so very jealous! Have fun.
This sounds amazing! None of the events I’ve made it to have really had any non-fiction offerings. I can’t wait to hear how this was 🙂
I hope you had a great time! I am so bummed that I missed this because I live nearby, but I had way too much going on this weekend (like, my sister’s bridal shower which I couldn’t miss), darn! Maybe next year! I really hope it was spectacular for you!!!!