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2024 National Book Festival

“Books Build Us Up” surrounded by punctuation marks, including quotation marks, ampersands, exclamation points and asterisks.
The 2023 Library of Congress National Book Festival opens in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, August 12, 2023.
Oscar-nominated actor and trans advocate Elliot Page speaks about his new memoir, “Pageboy,” with Semafor executive editor Gina Chua at the National Book Festival, August 12, 2023.
Andrew Limbong interviews Mary Louise Kelly at the 2023 Library of Congress National Book Festival, August 12, 2023.
Volunteers run an information table at the 2023 Library of Congress National Book Festival, August 12, 2023.
T.J. Klune discusses his new book, "In the Lives of Puppets," with Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan at the 2023 Library of Congress National Book Festival, August 12, 2023.

The 2024 National Book Festival will be held in the nation’s capital at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, August 24, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.). The event is free and open to the public. A selection of programs will be livestreamed online and videos of all programs will be available shortly after the Festival.

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Experience the Festival

A simple clock face overlaps a large calendar, centered over a background of layered quotation marks arranged in vertical columns. Plan Your Day Now Browse our extensive schedule for presentations and book signings by your favorite authors.
A question mark in a speech bubble is centered over a pattern of punctuation marks and symbols, including question marks, number signs and equal signs. Frequently Asked Questions Where is it? When is it? How do I get there? Here are the answers to your questions.
Clipboard icon on a pink background surrounded by geometric patterns. Take Our Survey! External Please take a moment and tell us about your experiences during the National Book Festival by September 13.
A piece of paper unfolded horizontally is centered over a background of overlapping angle brackets facing in different directions. Festival Map and Printed Program Download the Festival map, printed program and more.
PBS Books Author Talk Watch on PBS Books External Watch interviews with some of the Festival’s featured authors on PBS Books.
An icon of a finger pressing a screen is centered over a geometric pattern of exclamation points arranged in a circle to form a flower. Experience Virtually Learn more about how to experience the Festival online with our virtual attendee guide.

Featured Authors

Discover the many bestselling authors, novelists, historians, poets and children's writers featured in the 2024 Festival.

Sandra Cisneros
Tamron Hall
James Patterson
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Max Greenfield
See all authors

Highlights from Past Festivals

Lie, Fight, Gatekeep with Angeline Boulley & Amélie Wen Zhao
Elliot Page on His Memoir "Pageboy"
Elizabeth Acevedo's Family Lore
Hauntings Aren't Just for Houses with Tananarive Due & Grady Hendrix
Chasten Buttigieg Has Something To Tell You
Decoding 'Latino' in America: José Olivarez & Héctor Tobar
Read a Book & Try On Your Dreams with Grace Lin
AI Just Wants To Be Our Friend with TJ Klune
Teens & the World's Injustices: Lesa Cline-Ransome & Jennifer De Leon
Backroads & Buried Bodies with S.A. Cosby
History Is Heating Up with Douglas Brinkley & David Lipsky
'You: The Story' with Ruta Sepetys
See more videos