I had such a great time at the Book Festival this weekend. I think the only bad thing was that there were so many good sessions to go to that I hardly had a chance to eat so I was starving although I did sneak in a Luna Bar at one point. I’m such a rebel – heh.
The first session I went to was Michael Dirda’s Reading the Classics for Pleasure. He spoke so eloquently and with so much passion about reading the classics that I swear I left his session wondering just which classic story to read next. I think what was surprising to me is that he wasn’t just saying read Ulysses or Moby Dick or some of those classics but he also mentioned writers like Georgette Heyer and H.P. Lovecraft. Writers who have had an influence through their works. I must get Dirda’s book.
Next I went to hear Kathleen Kent talk about her book The Heretic’s Daughter. I’ve heard so much about this one via blogs that I thought I knew everything about it but what was so great about listening to her was to hear about her research on her book. I felt like we had a mini history lesson on the Salem Witch trials. It was absolutely fascinating.
Funny thing as I was leaving this session I ran into a friend from one of my book clubs in Dallas! We only chatted for a while because we were each rushing off to different sessions.
Then I sat in on David Ebershoff’s talk on his book The 19th Wife. Again, this is another book on my radar which I’ve heard about a lot via book blogs and the recent TLC Book tour but it was so interesting to hear him talk about his time in Salt Lake City doing some initial research and how he was practically run out of one town.
After this it was time for some Thrillers. I heard a panel of authors (Martin Clark, David Liss, Joe Landsale and Christopher Reich) talking about their start and the roadblocks along the way to their successes. I actually thought this was going to be more about mystery writers but it was still interesting. I’ve not read anything by these authors – anyone want to recommend one of their books?
Finally, I almost didn’t go to the last session because I was getting kind of tired but I’m so glad I made it to the session hosted by Vintage/Achor Books. On the panel were Ann Packer and Daniel Wallace talking about book groups, their books and their writing. They were very witty and it was so fun to listen to them. I’ve read one of Ann Packer’s books but I’m definitely looking forward to her new book, Songs Without Words.
The Vintage/Anchor team also handed out these cool black book bags with some free books! I got The Senator’s Wife by Sue Miller, The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith and Peace by Richard Bausch.
Perhaps the only downside to the festival is that when I left I had an overwhelming sense of “I want to read everything NOW.” You know how that goes. Anyway, lots of fun and now I want to read books by these authors and of course, I’m already looking forward to next year’s festival.
Sounds like a GREAT time! 🙂
Wow, very cool!
Glad you had such a good time and were able to go to such great sessions. Sounds inspiring! Oh, and I love that book bag!
Wow! It sounds absolutely fantastic! Thanks for telling us about it.
It does sound like you had a wonderful time, Iliana! It always seems like there are too many things to do and see in such a short time. I bet it was really interesting to hear Kathleen Kent and David Ebershoff talk about their books. Oh, I wish I could have been there!
I have a great time reading about your having a great time at the festival! I’ve wanted to read The Heretic’s Daughter and Classics for Pleasure. I have to go snatch these two books tomorrow. 🙂
You got to see Daniel Wallace!! And Michael Dirda! I’m so jealous! But also glad you had such a wonderful time 😀
Michael Dirda’s panel sounds so cool. That’s the thing I love about him…he has no problems recommending both Joyce and Lovecraft because he doesn’t care whether an author or book is “respectable” or “proper”. He’s not snobbish at all, and he’ll read anything.
Wow — that sounds like great fun! I think I’d be feeling overwhelmed at how much there is to read. Hearing Michael Dirda sounds like it was fun.
Wow, that sounds like an amazing day. I love to hear authors talk about their books (we’ve had some authors call into our book club). It always adds something new to the book!
This sounds like an amazing festival – lucky you!
Wow, great trip report. Thanks for such an in-depth post.
That sounds like great fun! I would’ve loved to go to Dirda’s panel. He’s been a big cheerleader for Bibliobuffet. I would’ve loved to see Daniel Wallace speak, too, among so many others!
Joy – It was a blast. My favorite Book Festival to date!
Bookfool – It was and I’m still so excited about my free books 🙂
jenclair – Book bags are also my weakness so what a treat to get one!
tanabata – the only thing I wish I had thought to do was take pictures 🙂
Literary Feline – Exactly. And, that was actually the other bad part that I didn’t get to go to any of the book signings because then I would have missed my other sessions. What a bummer they don’t schedule that a bit better.
Matt – I really want to read Michael Dirda’s books now. They sound so good!
Nymeth – He definitely stressed how classics should be approached as fun and not tedious and if a book isn’t doing it for you then move on. I liked that. And, can you believe I didn’t know who Daniel Wallace was? I felt like such a dork – haha
Dorothy W. – He was great! I wish I had taken some notes because he said some stuff I really wish I could quote! 🙂
Nicole – Exactly! Like I said, especially for Kathleen’s book, what with it being so popular in the book blog world I thought I “knew” the whole story but her background & research just made me want to read the book more!
Tara – It was so fun. I was thinking of volunteering but then I probably wouldn’t have gotten to hear all of these authors!
John Marco – Thank you for visiting 🙂 Like I said, I wish I had taken notes because some of these authors were just so witty.
Andi – I can’t believe I’ve never really followed his column! Oh I’m so embarrassed now. You would have loved it when he talked about his one scathing review of a Judith Krantz novel 😉
Damn cool… i love tat quote – “Read everything ”
Awesome! i want to attend a book festival too!
Wow! That’s sounds like it was a really cool experience. Glad you got to go!
Veens – Isn’t that a great quote. I love my new book bag 🙂
Kimmy – Me too. It was a lot of fun.
I want that Dirda book too! He’s inspiring to listen to isn’t he? I got to see him about a year ago and he came across as a really nice guy.
Sounds like a lot of fun, Iliana! How I wish I’ve the opportunity to attend such festival! 🙂
Stefanie – I think I may have to use my B&N gift certificate for that book. He was great. I don’t know why but I was expecting someone a bit more “stiff” – I mean, we were going to talk about the classics! haha…
Melody – It was so fun. I wish they had this more often – I’d be there in a heartbeat 🙂