By the Book

Washington D.C. is a book lover's paradise. There is Politics and Prose with its more than 450 free book talks a year. Busboys and Poets frequently has left-leaning authors such as Ralph Nader and George Pelecanos as speakers. Authors writing about media and its concerns are a staple at the Newseum. The National Archives, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Library of Congress all provide forums for authors to discuss their books.

And there is the D.C.book biggie of them all, the National Book Festival, sponsored annually by Library of Congress and held on the National Mall..

This year's festival is set for Sept. 22 and 23 and festival organizers have released the schedule. Here are the authors I am most looking forward to seeing and hearing:


Saturday - Sept. 22

• Mike Lupica
• Walter Dean Myers
• Thomas Friedman
• Philip Roth
• Stephen Carter
• Michael Connelly
• Sandra Cisneros
• Robert Caro
• Douglas Brinkley
• Colson Whitehead
• Philip Levine
• T. C. Boyle

Sunday - Sept. 23

• Avi
• Eric Weiner
• Mario Vargas Llosa
• David Maraniss
• Stephen Carter
• Junot Diaz
• Patricia Cornwell
• Thomas Mallon
• Charlaine Harris

Of course, just like with big music festivals such as Bonnaroo or the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, you aren't able to see everyone you want. You have to make choices. Some will be relatively easy. For example, as much as I like Douglas Brinkley, David Maraniss, and Walter Dean Myers, I have seen them before and, if there is a conflict with their times, I will choose another author. However, there are 2 writers I will not miss - Michael Connelly, who is my favorite crime writer, and Charlaine Harris, the author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels on which HBO's show True Blood is based.

Boy, whoever coined the phrase so many books (and, in this case, book authors, too) and so little time was right on the money. Especially when it comes to National Book Festival.

Tales, Tidbits, and Tips
If you would like to know more about the National Book Festival and who will be there, click here.