The 2010 Texas Book Festival

This weekend, thousands of my fellow self-professed bibilophiles descended on the State Capitol of Texas for the Texas Book Festival. Founded by former first lady and librarian Laura Bush, the festival is now in its 15th year, and the event promotes literacy and supports libraries across Texas.

I found out about the festival two weeks ago while skimming a recent edition of the Austin Chronicle. I tore the ad out of the paper and set it aside, vowing to attend. However, with a last-minute change to my work schedule, I only had a couple of hours on Saturday morning to spare. I arrived early (25 minutes before festivities were scheduled to begin), determined to not waste a minute, parked in the Capitol Visitors parking garage (free for the weekend!), and walked the block over to where exhibitors' tents were already open and waiting.

I was giddy. I'm not even kidding. Apparently a book festival is, without a doubt, one of my happy places.

I'd checked out the schedule online in advance, and knew that I'd only be able to hear one author speak, so I grabbed a paper program and headed to the First UMC Family Life Center on Lavaca, where Laurie Halse Anderson was going to be presenting. The program said she'd be talking about her most recent historical fiction novel, but I know her best as the author of Speak, a powerful and compelling young adult novel I read back in high school.*

Ms. Anderson (can I call you Laurie?) was fantastic - entertaining and passionate about her craft and encouraging to a fellow avoider of creative writing and literature classes who nonetheless aspires to write. But more on Laurie in a future post.

Following the crowd out, I spent my remaining time wandering through the exhibition booths. It was a party, and everyone was there: publishers, authors, bookstores, literacy advocates, book clubs, writing clubs, and even a couple of groups who combine pet therapy and literacy (and wanted to know if my dog would be well-suited for the role...maybe?). Plus, a "midway" had been set up with several local vendors, including Caffe Medici, who were selling blended espresso drinks right there on the sidewalk in front of the capital lawn (Books and coffee? Am I in heaven?).

I stopped into the Barnes & Noble tent (they're a major sponsor of the festival), and spent 20 minutes talking to the nook saleslady. She must be really good at her job, because I walked in thinking that they were silly, unnecessary devices and walked out adding it to the top of my mental Christmas list (3G version. And this case. Please and thanks).

The Barnes & Noble Booksellers tent.

In the end, I managed to sneak away having purchased no books (I tend to buy the books I'm looking for specifically, while I merely borrow those that seem interesting), but with a Texas Book Festival tote bag, a "vintage" festival poster (is 2006 really vintage? Whatever. It's beautiful and will look great in my apartment.), and a handful of buttons (saying things like, "Reading is sexy." & "I read banned books.") which now decorate the tote.

Oh, and I got a ton of free stuff, like sample magazines and fliers and leaflets that I haven't yet sorted through. It's kind of why I needed the tote. I carry a big purse people, and it just wasn't big enough.

I walked back through the capitol lawn to head home after just two short hours, sad that I had to go, but so glad to have the short time I was allowed. Maybe next year I'll even volunteer.

 

*I just found out that the book was also made into a movie starring Kristen Stewart, who you may have heard of. She plays Bella in the Twilight series. I am now severely conflicted;  I'd like to see the movie, but my burning desire to avoid all persons and things connected with Twilight might be stronger. Also, it kills my soul a little that I not only know who Kristen Stewart is, but why she's famous and the name of her character.