July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Los Angeles Times Presents Star-Studded Lineup for 29th Festival of Books This Weekend

Over 550 Writers and Celebrities to Grace USC Campus for Weekend Extravaganza

The Los Angeles Times has a stellar lineup for the 29th annual Festival of Books, set to take place April 20-21 at the University of Southern California. Over the weekend, the festival will convene more than 550 writers, experts, and storytellers, alongside hundreds of exhibitors, on the sprawling 226-acre campus.

Among the luminaries slated to appear are Nancy Silverton, QCP, Tiffani Thiessen, Jose Andres, Lance Bass, Ed Begley Jr., Sophia Bush, Jon Favreau, Max Greenfield, Tiffany Haddish, Tamron Hall, Mark Harmon, RuPaul, Nancy Silverton, Kerry Washington, Henry Winkler, and much more. 

The festival promises a plethora of engaging activities and events, including:

  • Two exclusive sessions of the Ideas Exchange speaker series, featuring RuPaul discussing his eagerly awaited memoir “The House of Hidden Meanings” on Saturday, April 20, and José Andrés unveiling his new cookbook “Zaytinya” on Sunday, April 21.
  • A special L.A. Times Book Club gathering spotlighting Abraham Verghese, author of “The Covenant of Water.”
  • A screening of “Turtles All the Way Down,” a film adaptation of the eponymous novel, is set to premiere on Max this spring. Following the screening, author and executive producer John Green, director Hannah Marks, and actors Isabela Merced, Cree, and Felix Mallard will engage in a discussion.
  • This is a conversation with “Pod Save America” hosts Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor, delving into the 2024 campaign and their book Democracy or Else: How to Save America in 10 Easy Steps.

The festival will feature seven outdoor stages and activity areas, including the L.A. Times Main Stage, Latinidad Stage, Children’s Stage, Poetry Stage, USC Stage, YA Stage, and the much-anticipated return of the Cooking Stage, which will showcase celebrity chefs Nancy Silverton, QCP, and Tiffani Thiessen, among others.

Santa Monica poet Helene Cardona will read from her new book The Abduction, which is her translation of Franco-Syrian poet Maram Al-Masri, winner of an Albertine and FACE Foundation Prize from Villa Albertine and the 2024 Independent Press Award in Poetry, on April 21 from 3:20-3:40 pm on the Poetry Stage. You can get tickets here

Attendees can also anticipate celebrity authors, family-friendly entertainment, Spanish-language programming, interactive games, expert panels covering a myriad of topics, and more than 300 exhibitors offering book signings, merchandise, activities, and giveaways.

To inaugurate the literary extravaganza, on the evening of Friday, April 19, The Times will host the 44th annual Book Prizes at USC’s Bovard Auditorium. The event will honor Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley with the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement, as well as recognize outstanding literary accomplishments in 13 categories, including a new prize for achievement in audiobook production.
For a complete list of finalists and further details, including ticket packages, visit latimes.com/BookPrizes.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...