Regional Book Festivals Connect Authors, Readers, Communities

Communities in South Dakota, Minnesota and northern England are hosting free events that connect readers with books, authors and literacy resources. Siouxland Libraries’ author fair features 40 authors, a writing panel and a keynote by Allen Eskens, while St. Paul’s Twin Cities Book Festival brought together more than 140 publishers, literary groups, booksellers and creators for a day of readings, exhibits and art. In Mankato, the Greater Mankato Area United Way’s family reading festival offers activities, community resources and free books, particularly for young children. The North Florida Fair also partnered with My OmniBooks to give children from local Boys & Girls Clubs a special fair visit, personalized books and gifts. In England, the Big Read will host free library gatherings centered on Alex North’s crime novel The Whisper Man, with copies available through participating libraries.