There was no shortage of change at this year's
Library of Congress National Book Festival. The 14th annual crowd-pleaser switched to
one day (albeit a
longer one, 10 AM - 10 PM) and more dramatically, swapped locations. After a decade on the grounds of the National Mall, the
Library of Congress took their show
on up the road and
indoors to the
Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The results? Nothing short of sensational.
Despite a number of obstacles (Labor Day weekend, Metro closings (love those fare hikes!) and bits of confusion) the National Book Festival drew huge crowds and almost universal praise from attendees. Just how big those crowds were, remains to be seen. Last year's festival drew more than 200,000 book lovers; and it will take a few days to get a number for
this year. I can tell you this... It was a heck of a lot cooler (AC > 90°+ temperatures) and
seemed more crowded, especially when trying to navigate two buildings and two levels. I'll be sure to have a
plan of attack next year.
Huge crowds were on hand for former Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor, economist (and former Federal Reserve Chairman)
Alan Greenspan and Rep.
John Lewis (D-GA) as well as a slew of other writers (see below.) Signings too... You should have seen the line for DC's own
Carla Hall. Good times.
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| "Star-Spangled Banner - 200th Anniversary" with Ray White |
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| Book Sales |
