New Orleans Book Fest returns Thursday
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Eddie S. Glaude Jr. leads a discussion with Imani Perry, Clint Smith and Jesmyn Ward during New Orleans Book Festival 2024. Photo: Chelsea Brasted/Axios
The New Orleans Book Festival returns to Tulane University on Thursday night.
Why it matters: The free event has swiftly turned into one of the city's top festivals.
The big picture: The event, which has its roots as a children's book festival, relaunched in 2022 with some serious author star power at the helm, thanks to Walter Isaacson coming on board as co-chair. Go deeper.
- Since then, the fest has blossomed and brought in big names like John Grisham, Bob Woodward, Jill Biden and Bill Gates.
This year's edition continues that growth by expanding the fest's footprint with a new tent, event co-chair Cheryl Landrieu says.
- The schedule includes more than 200 speakers spread across more than 90 panel discussions and book signings, plus expanded cooking programming and a performance by Deacon John.
- Grisham returns for a Saturday discussion with Michael Lewis, as does Isaacson, Molly Jong-Fast, Don Lemon, Cooper and Archie Manning, Sharon McMahon and W. Kamau Bell, Nicole Richie and Cleo Wade are among this year's guests.
- The schedule also includes sessions dedicated to romance and humor for the first time, Landrieu says.
The intrigue: The event opens with a panel discussion in partnership with The Atlantic on the future of democracy. It includes the magazine's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, who made headlines this week after he was included in social media messages with the nation's top security officials. Details.
If you go: Plan to arrive at sessions early because they fill up quickly.
- Saturday's programming includes Family Day with author readings and free books.
- The full schedule is available online.
Go deeper: 10 New Orleans festivals for your spring calendar