It’s Literally Wednesday: The Recap
Dave | September 5, 2012The 7th Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival presented by DeKalb Medical is over.
To paraphrase Juan Antonio Samaranch, this was “the best festival ever.” Actually, I think DBF improves every year, but this one seemed several notches above the others.
It amazes me how much work it takes to put all this together. I’m always surprised on Monday morning that one would never know that a major festival had occurred.
Kudos to Daren and Terra, and to Mary and Bill and Lee Ann and the myriad of volunteers and workers who put everything in place and run it so … festivally!
Personal highlight: I only get to see a small part of the overall picture, but the Children’s Stage had a particularly great vibe this year in its (new?) location. It was a bit more laid back while still exuding energy. Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda) absolutely rocked that crowd!
What rocked your world this past weekend?
This Week
Dwyane Wade (yep!), author of A Father First, Monday, September 10th at 6:30 p.m., Atlanta-Fulton County Library Central Branch, free (as far as I can tell).
Decatur’s own Amanda Kyle Williams, author of Stranger in the Room, and Peter Farris, author of Last Call for the Living, Wednesday, September 12th, 7:15 p.m., Decatur Library, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, free.
Jodi Kantor, author of The Obamas, Wednesday, September 12th, 7:30 p.m. MJCCA, $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
Latest from Decaturish
My dad came down from out of town and went to around 15 different events.
I think the most exciting thing for him was that while sitting in the convention center reading a book of poems he’d purchased at the library book sale for 50 cents, the author walked up to him with her parents and asked him if he wanted her to sign it for him.
Made his day along with the author’s parents! Can’t imagine such a thing occurring to a poet at another event ANYWHERE.
That is such a cool story.
+1
My son is dying to know if they announced the book for “On the Same Page”. Did anyone catch it?
I believe the book will be “Holes” by Louis Sachar.
It is, indeed. All the information is here: http://weareonthesamepage.org/
The program’s finale will be on December 7th when Louis Sachar comes to Decatur!
I just love a festival that’s all about reading, in general. I love that we go there to buy books, not useless trinkets. I love how excited my kids get about the “festibul.” And most importantly, I love that the schools bring authors in before the festival, so the kids get excited about meeting them again over the weekend and getting them to sign their books. I think making that sort of connection to an author of a book you really like is priceless and something they just don’t forget. If I’d had that opportunity as a kid, I would have ended up being a writer because it would have been so inspiring (still is!). My son read “Creepy Carrots” about a zillion times this weekend, over and over again, and talked about Peter Brown as if he were just some friend of his. Thank you DBF–this is a highlight of our year!
It was a great festival, as always – could not believe the crowds at some of the talks, particularly the science-related ones, which were wonderful.
Heard from friends that they were unable to get into some of the smaller venues, such as City Hall and the library auditorium. I wonder if there are larger spaces, such as the high school or other churxhes, that might be added for future festivals?
I believe that the plan is to return to the high school next year.
Matching authors to venues is an art.
I love to watch kids so excited about an author, not a movie or sports star, an author! My son was carrying a book that his grandparents had bought for him as we were getting some picture books signed by Mac Barnett. My son’s book said something about magical cats on the cover. Mr. Barnett asked him if he liked magic, and my son replied that he liked cats. So, Mr. Barnett promptly turned one of the pictures on the title page that he was signing into a cat. We had to go buy all of his Brixton Brothers novels after that.
We also thought Tom Angleberger was amazing! He was so friendly and personal with the kids while he was signing, not to mention his incredible energy. A friend’s daughter had never read one of his books, and she’s now read Origami Yoda and has started the second (and she’s not usually an avid reader).
I mean, who could ask for more than that, really?
+1
Agreed about Angleberger–he is amazing. After signing maybe 100 books (we were pretty far back in the line) he still took the time to banter with my kids and make them giggle.
What a trip for that guy–to write an awesome series about Star Wars characters and become such a famous dude.
Ditto for all the positive comments here and on other related threads. I experienced this year’s DBF as the best ever for so many reasons that I cannot even begin to tease out causation. Here’s a few things not mentioned yet (I think):
– Even more giant public crossword puzzles–that worked great at spreading out the opportunities to participate. Many great conversations among strangers occurred around these.
– Little libraries were adorable. Continue!
– Loved seeing the Mayor everywhere!
– Teen stage location and events seemed to be going strong
– Children’s stage seemed to work well for all
– Everything I attended–and I attended some 8-10 author events–was high quality presentations, not just high quality books. That tells me that the DBF selections were excellent and the authors were diligent.
We missed the DBF since we were out of town, but LOVED discovering the wishing trees on the north side of the square upon our Monday return. We stood around for quite some time reading them all. Great idea, and thanks to whomever put it together!
I was charmed by the wishing tree as well. It was a guerilla piece, undertaken by one of the exhibitors.