Dewey know about the Wisconsin Book Festival? 📚
The event is back in a hybrid-virtual format this year + kicks off on Thurs., Oct. 21. We’re *writing down* how to get the most of the free, 5-day book lover’s extravaganza.
A Page of History
- The festival was started in 2001 by the Wisconsin Humanities Council — which means this is the 20th year of celebrating + discussing renowned authors.
- It is currently a partnership between Madison Public Library + Madison Public Library Foundation .
- Over 900 writers have participated in the festival — ranging from Celeste Ng to James Patterson.
- The Wisconsin Book Festival technically runs all year long , but kicks into gear with a fall celebration of events this week.
The last time the event was in person was in 2019. | Photo via Wisconsin Book Festival
LITerary Events
- Carol Anderson | Thurs., Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Join award-winning educator + historian for a talk on her newest book — The Second — about how the 2nd amendment has impacted African Americans.
- Jaquira Diaz | Sat., Oct. 23 | 3 p.m. | Central Library, Community Room 302 | The Whiting Award recipient will be discussing her memoir — Ordinary Girls.
- Nick Petrie | Sat., Oct. 23 | 4:30 p.m. | Central Library, Community Room 301 | Best-selling thriller writer of The Breaker will talk about his newest novel.
- Nickolas Butler | Sat., Oct. 23 | 6 p.m. | Central Library, Community Room 302 | Wisconsin writer of Godspeed — a 21st century morality tale set in Jackson Hole — is the focus of the discussion.
Book Your Schedule
- Friends of the UW-Madison Libraries Book Sale | Wed., Oct. 20-Sat., Oct. 23 | Times Vary | Memorial Library, Room 116 | Free+ | Thousands of books with proceeds benefiting the university’s lecture series, special purchases + other library events.
- Big Ideas for Busy People: How Do We Know What We Know | Thurs., Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | Discovery Building, 330 N. Orchard St. | A series of 5-minute flash talks from experts in anthropology, astronomy, law + more.