We went this year, but not for as long as we wanted. DD wanted to see Raina Telgemeier and get her book signed. I was bummed that we had already bought "Ghosts" and they were giving out free copies there. Oh well. Now she has 2 signed copies.

Went last year and had a blast. This year my 5 year old and I saw and got book signs by Andrea Beaty, Ken Burns, Jerry Pinkney, and Janet Nolan/Thomas Gonzalez. A really great event but it helps to plan ahead and decide who you really want to see to make the most of your time.

It was my first time not going solo. We went and saw Raina Telgemeier, because DD is a big fan. She had a great time, but I'd rather go alone next time so I can hear the authors I want to hear.

My first time with the kids. They had a blast - the 4 yr old, 8 yr old and 10 year old. There was something for everyone. My 10 year old is a Raina Telgemeier fan and was thrilled to have her sign her copy of the book "Ghosts" she got free from the Scholastic table.

The Library of Congress did a great job. Kudos to them. Looking forward to the next one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Took my 14yo son. We saw Carl Hiaason (son's favorite author), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then Jon Meacham, then went to the Hiaason book signing. Well worth the 3-4 hours we spent there. DS was thrilled, despite being more lax-bro than book-bro.

It was pretty packed, but well organized (Junior League volunteers all over the place). Many of the "good" authors were bunched up around the 12-2pm time slot, so we couldn't see everyone we wanted to. Plan accordingly!

Carl Hiaasen was fantastic. Scary that he is my favorite author too and I am well beyond 14!

Not that scary since he also writes adult novels.

Anonymous wrote:Took my 14yo son. We saw Carl Hiaason (son's favorite author), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then Jon Meacham, then went to the Hiaason book signing. Well worth the 3-4 hours we spent there. DS was thrilled, despite being more lax-bro than book-bro.

It was pretty packed, but well organized (Junior League volunteers all over the place). Many of the "good" authors were bunched up around the 12-2pm time slot, so we couldn't see everyone we wanted to. Plan accordingly!

Carl Hiaasen was fantastic. Scary that he is my favorite author too and I am well beyond 14!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I saw Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He was fantastic and very nuanced in his thoughts on race, success, and drive for excellence in the U.S. He's a brilliant guy.

He was (mostly) thoughtful and very moderated, and handled questions very well, but I was astonished he blamed racism for the fact that Republicans didn't support Obama's "progressive" agenda. Gosh, conservatives would have otherwise rallied around the Affordable Care Act and Dodd Frank, but didn't support those sensible (economy-retarding) laws simply because Obama's father was born in Kenya. He had me til then.

He spoke the truth. Obama's Affordable Care act was basically the Republican's program.

Anonymous wrote:I saw Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He was fantastic and very nuanced in his thoughts on race, success, and drive for excellence in the U.S. He's a brilliant guy.

He was (mostly) thoughtful and very moderated, and handled questions very well, but I was astonished he blamed racism for the fact that Republicans didn't support Obama's "progressive" agenda. Gosh, conservatives would have otherwise rallied around the Affordable Care Act and Dodd Frank, but didn't support those sensible (economy-retarding) laws simply because Obama's father was born in Kenya. He had me til then.

Took my 14yo son. We saw Carl Hiaason (son's favorite author), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then Jon Meacham, then went to the Hiaason book signing. Well worth the 3-4 hours we spent there. DS was thrilled, despite being more lax-bro than book-bro.

It was pretty packed, but well organized (Junior League volunteers all over the place). Many of the "good" authors were bunched up around the 12-2pm time slot, so we couldn't see everyone we wanted to. Plan accordingly!

My 6 year old liked collecting things from all the state tables and we all enjoyed Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.

I saw Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He was fantastic and very nuanced in his thoughts on race, success, and drive for excellence in the U.S. He's a brilliant guy.

I did. It was awesome! Stephen King's talk was great. He was so witty and funny and chatty, totally not what what you would think "Stephen King" would be like. I sat in on a panel on contemporary issues in African American society and that was fascinating to listen to. (I bought one of the books- From Black Lives Matter to Black Liberation.) I got two of Ken Burns' children's books to have signed for my kids and my best friend's little boy. Saw Rep. Lewis on Book TV. Lot to do for kids. Wish I could have seen Marilynne Robinson but she coincided with when you needed to have your seat for King. Also wanted to see Mary Roach but she was too late in the day and I had to leave.

We went and loved it. Our first time so I wasn't sure what to expect. A lot of kid activities and free books for them. If you go to a signing for a popular author get in line really early! My DH took the younger ones home and I stayed with the teen to listen to the teen poetry slam. It was really fun and easy.

Anyone go? How was it?