EASTON, Pa. — The Easton Book Festival has returned as its fourth annual event.
There are more than 100 programming events, and organizers say 25 of them are for children.
- The fourth annual Easton Book Festival will be held Oct. 21-30. This fest will feature over 100 programming events, including 25 of those for children
- Panels will feature major themes of America including incarceration, Native American rights
- Some panels and screenings will be hosted online though organizers said to come in person as that’s where the real connection begins
The festival is organized by leaders of Lehigh Valley writers' groups, English professors and poets. Andy Laties, the owner of Book and Puppet Co. and founder of the fest, said they have also reached out nationally to gather authors from across the country.
“We have a sense that we want to provide people with the opportunity to hear from those who are concerned about some of the major issues in America today,” Laties said.
Addressing American Issues
Events range from conversations about card games to a comics-making workshop with Victoria Jamieson to public poetry readings.
“We have a sense that we want to provide people with the opportunity to hear from those who are concerned about some of the major issues in America today.”Andy Laties, founder of the Easton Book Festival
Featured panels will include conversations about Jim Thorpe. “Path Lit by Lighting” by David Maraniss touches upon the realities Thorpe and others faced at the Carlisle Indian School and discusses Thorpe’s life and legacy.
There will also be a panel about Mumia Abu Jamal and his authorship from inside prison as well as his career. Melba Tolliver will moderate a discussion between Abu Jamal’s spiritual advisor, Mark Taylor, and Editor Tod Steven Burroughs about the new book “The Trials of Mumia Abu-Jamal: A Biography in 25 Voices.”
A Drag Queen Story Hour with Eileen O’Brennan (PrideFest 2022 Royale Champion) will take place from 1-2 p.m. on Oct. 22 . It is an event where children can learn about tolerance and gender diversity.
Journey Home is a group that amplifies the voices of incarcerated women. Volunteer Haley Katz with others of Journey Home will read stories written by incarcerated mothers at the book festival also from 1-2 p.m. on Oct. 22.
“I think it’s important to learn about other people’s stories so that we can educate other people and learn how we can help,” Katz said.
The past two book festivals were virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic. In light of this, Laties said programs will also be streamed online, but he encourages people to come out at Centre Square for live poetry readings or attend events hosted in places like the Sigal Museum, Easton Area Public Library and Lafayette College store.
“Be a part of that scene in Easton because it is happening here,” Laties said. "There’s a lot of people that’s very interested in the literary life, the thoughtful life.”
The Easton Book Festival runs from Oct. 21st through Oct. 30th. The entire schedule is online at eastonbookfestival.com.
