The Biblio Blogazine

Press Release dated: August 4, 2009

Authors James Patterson, George Pelecanos, Nikki Grimes, Marilynne Robinson, Daniel Silva Join National Book Festival Lineup; New Social Networking and Interactive Features Engage Book-Lovers Online

Authors James Patterson, George Pelecanos, Nikki Grimes, Marilynne Robinson, Sharon Creech, Daniel Silva and W. Ralph Eubanks will be among the writers and illustrators joining the stellar lineup for the ninth annual National Book Festival, to be held on the National Mall from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. The event is free and open to the public.

Patterson will present at the Mysteries & Thrillers Pavilion, and also at the Teens & Children pavilion this year. He is the author of the widely popular Alex Cross series of thrillers set in Washington, D.C., and writes novels aimed at teens as well. Authors Daniel Silva and George Pelecanos—the author of 15 crime novels set in and around Washington, D.C.—will present in that pavilion.

Also coming to the Teens & Children pavilion will be authors Nikki Grimes, Sharon Creech and Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, who will appear with his collaborator, Carmen Agra Deedy. Authors joining the popular Poetry & Prose pavilion include Marilynne Robinson, Julia Glass and W. Ralph Eubanks. These authors are among the more than 70 celebrated writers and illustrators participating in this year’s event. (An updated list of authors follows below).

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Not sure you are like me, but at the beginning of each year, I mark my calendar with important events so that I will not forget them.

There are two items that mean a great deal to me as a reader and I would like to post about them now so that if you have participated, or would like to participate, you can note down these very important dates.

The Canadian Freedom to Read week runs from February 22nd to the 28th this year. To learn more about it and what you can do, please visit the blog, Fahrenheit 451: Freedom to Read. If you look on their sidebar to the right, you will links to resources that will give you the information you need if you choose to consciously read banned books this year, regardless if you join the challenge. It wasn’t until I looked at one of their lists that I realized I had read several, and one of them, To Kill A Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorites. How many have you read? How many will you read? Check it out. What you find may surprise you.

Banned Books Week (BBW) is hosted by the American Library Association (ALA) every year during the last week of September. This year, it is being run between September 26th and October 3rd. To find out more, please visit the ALA website. This year will be BBW’s 28th, yes that’s 28th, anniversary.

Both events remind us that reading is a freedom we cannot take for granted. Books are challenged, sometimes banned, each and every year. Books such as Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, A Light In The Attic by Shel Silverstein – the list goes on. And on.

Each of us have a right to form and express our opinions, even if they are unpopular with others, including the supposed majority. But that is the truly beautiful aspect of a democracy, the freedom to express ourselves through words, speech, and art.

If this is a subject that means as much to you as it does me, please note those dates above and make plans to participate in some small way – or big one, whichever suits you.

I know the Canadian blog will host a challenge, however I am not sure what is planned on the American side. If someone knows of a blogger who will be hosting a challenge for that week, or month, please leave a comment below with a link if you have it.

Perhaps if no one is hosting one this year, I may bite the bullet and try doing one myself. In fact, if you think that is a better idea…gulp…let me know.