2021 National Book Festival

Create your National Book Festival experience with the Library of Congress in 2021 by engaging in author conversations online, watching the broadcast special on PBS, listening to NPR podcasts, tuning in to Washington Post Live author interviews and attending a ticketed event at the Library. Join us for an expanded Festival, Sept. 17-26, a 10-day event with the theme, “Open a Book, Open the World.”

For news and latest updates, subscribe to the National Book Festival blog.

Experience the Festival

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The Festival Near YouParticipate in Festival events close to you, and find great reads from your own state.

Podcasts, Interviews and MoreDownload podcasts from NPR and watch live author talks from the Washington Post and PBS Books.

2021 Festival Poster and ArtistArtist Dana Tanamachi shares her inspiration for this year’s beautiful National Book Festival poster.

Welcome! Full Author Lineup & ScheduleThe Librarian of Congress invites you to engage with 100+ authors in multiple venues.

LeVar Burton Hosts PBS Special“Open a Book, Open the World” hour-long special introduces you to the 2021 Festival.

Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I watch live events? How can I submit questions to authors? This and more answered here.

The Festival Near YouParticipate in Festival events close to you, and find great reads from your own state.

Podcasts, Interviews and MoreDownload podcasts from NPR and watch live author talks from the Washington Post and PBS Books.

2021 Festival Poster and ArtistArtist Dana Tanamachi shares her inspiration for this year’s beautiful National Book Festival poster.

Welcome! Full Author Lineup & ScheduleThe Librarian of Congress invites you to engage with 100+ authors in multiple venues.

LeVar Burton Hosts PBS Special“Open a Book, Open the World” hour-long special introduces you to the 2021 Festival.

Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I watch live events? How can I submit questions to authors? This and more answered here.

The Festival Near YouParticipate in Festival events close to you, and find great reads from your own state.

Podcasts, Interviews and MoreDownload podcasts from NPR and watch live author talks from the Washington Post and PBS Books.

2021 Festival Poster and ArtistArtist Dana Tanamachi shares her inspiration for this year’s beautiful National Book Festival poster.Next

Featured Authors

Discover the many bestselling authors, novelists, historians, poets and children’s writers featured in the 2021 Festival.

Kazuo Ishiguro

Roxane Gay

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Michael J. Fox

Angie ThomasSee all authors


Highlighted Past Videos

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Dystopian Worlds: National Book Festival 2020

Poetry Spotlight: Victoria Chang and Brenda Shaughnessy

Erica Armstrong Dunbar: National Book Festival 2020

Sandra Cisneros: National Book Festival 2020

Jill Lepore on How This Pandemic Will Go Down in History

Confronting Racism and Bigotry: National Book Festival 2020

Dystopian Worlds: National Book Festival 2020

Poetry Spotlight: Victoria Chang and Brenda Shaughnessy

Erica Armstrong Dunbar: National Book Festival 2020

Sandra Cisneros: National Book Festival 2020

Jill Lepore on How This Pandemic Will Go Down in History

Confronting Racism and Bigotry: National Book Festival 2020

Dystopian Worlds: National Book Festival 2020

Poetry Spotlight: Victoria Chang and Brenda Shaughnessy

Erica Armstrong Dunbar: National Book Festival 2020NextSee more videos

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