Here’s the short version of what I did at the year’s Texas Book Festival (Hint: Follow the links!):
Saturday
Martin Amis: Slate’s review of Martin Amis’ new novel, “The Zone of Interest,” starts: “Every review of a new book by Martin Amis must, in some way, be a review of Martin Amis — a reflection on the State of Amis.” Amis himself delivered a brief master course on the State of Amis in his Saturday session in the House Chamber during the Texas Book Festival.
The Texas Writer Award Presentation to Sarah Bird: Lois Kim, executive director of the Texas Book Festival, presented the Texas Writer Award to Sarah Bird Saturday afternoon in the House Chamber …
Joyce Carol Oates: Joyce Carol Oates drew one of Saturday’s largest crowds in the House Chamber during the Texas Book Festival. She started by reading the beginning of “Mastiff,” one of the stories from her new collection, “Lovely, Dark, Deep” and then presented a look into the thought process of assembling a book.
Sunday
Rebecca Alexander: The Texas Book Festival and the Austin Jewish Book Fair partnered to present Rebecca Alexander, the author of the memoir “Not Fade Away: A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found”
The Producer: Norman Lear: Legendary producer Norman Lear lived up to his top billing at the Texas Book Festival before a packed House Chamber on Sunday. It was one of those magical festival moments to left everyone in the room wanting another hour or two or three.
Descent Into the Depths: Neil Swidey and Hector Tobar: In Sunday’s “Descent Into the Depths” panel at the Texas Book Festival, journalists Neil Swidey and Hector Tobar explored how the survivors of two man-made disasters have fared on the other side.
Any guesses?! Let’s just say it was a whole ‘nother way of doing the Festival! More later!
Did you go to the 2014 Texas Book Festival? What was your favorite author, moment, session, book, etc.?
