photo credit: Kathryn Kirk
For lovers of literature, fans of cultural commentary, political junkies, and author stalkers everywhere, the return of the Brooklyn Book Festival, supported by AT&T, is a highly anticipated event. Each year, the stellar lineup poses the same problem–choosing any of the many excellent events to attend always comes at the expense of attending equally excellent events scheduled at the same time.
This year is no different. There will be over 280 authors, comic artists and poets in attendance, including Terry McMillan, Joyce Carol Oates, Stewart O’Nan, Francine Prose, E.O. Wilson, James Wolcott, Dan Savage, Naomi Wolf, Philip Levine, Sapphire, and Adrian Tomine–not to mention writers of children’s and young adult literature, too, including Judith Viorst, Libba Bray and Gordon Korman.
All are participating in more than a hundred thought-provoking panels. In one day you can hear readings and discussions about modern-day India (From the Ruins of Empire), the handcrafted craze (Artisanal Everything), Caribbean literature (Calabash Presents, BOCAS Presents), gender roles (Let’s Talk About Sex: Grappling with Gender in the 21st Century), race in America (The Politics of Identity—Do They Still Matter?), infidelity (Marriage and Monogamy), and most intriguing of all, actor Tony Danza in conversation with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz in an event titled, Tony Danza Apologizes to Teachers.
And because it would be a shame to gather all these talents together for just one day, the week leading up to the Book Festival is packed with over 50 amazing Bookend events. It kicks off this Monday, September 17 with an opening night party hosted by Tumblr, Electric Literature, The New Inquiry and the LA Review of Books at Public Assembly, and includes fun evenings like Jeffrey Eugenidies reading at powerHouse Arena on Friday and on Saturday, Emma Straub’s Hollywood Variety Hour at Word Bookstore featuring boldface names like actor/author Andrew McCarthy and musician Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields.
For details on all Brooklyn Book Festival events, visit brooklynbookfestival.org.
