Downtown Glen Ellyn celebrates 2nd Annual BookFest 2011: A Celebration of Books

The Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn, in conjunction with The Glen Ellyn Public Library, The Bookstore and Bundles of Books, is excited to announce our 2nd Annual BookFest 2011: A Celebration of Books on Saturday, June 18.  BookFest welcomes all ages to enjoy literary events throughout the downtown. 

The Keynote Speaker for this year's festival is the New York Times Bestselling Author and Lombard native, Mary Doria Russell. Mary is the author of many highly acclaimed books, including The Sparrow (1998), Children of God (1998) Thread of Grace (2005 - Pulitzer prize nominee), and Dreamers of the Day (2008).  Mary's newest book is Doc (Random House, May 3, 2011), the fictional account of a year in the life of Doc Holliday.  As Mary herself said: "it's about vice, bigotry, violence and living with a terminal disease. Doc will break your heart."  Mary will deliver the Keynote Address at 2pm at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. The event is free and open to the public, although registration is required.

BookFest begins with Downtown Glen Ellyn shops and restaurants hosting several authors between 10am and 1pm.  Come out and meet your favorite author, engage in conversation, get your book signed, and do some shopping.  Featured authors around town include:

            Shayne Moore, Global Soccer Mom                     

            The Bike Shop          

            Leah Stewart, Husband and Wife                         

            Knickers of Glen Ellyn

            Sue Walsh, Walking in Broken Shoes                   

            10,000 Villages

            Joelle Charbonneau, Skating around the Law      Run Today

            Bob Goldsborough, Terror at the Fair                  Run Today

            John Domagalski, Lost at Guadalcanal                 

 Bundles of Books

            David Argabright, Terror at the Fair                   

 Bundles of Books

 “In addition to bringing in well known authors, we also wanted to showcase local authors.  We are fortunate to have so much talent, so close by,” said Maria Tachna, President of the Alliance. 

Several programs are scheduled between 10:00-3:30pm including:

10:00am at The BookStore            Tom Lichtenheld, Children’s author & New York Times Best Selling Author

 Tom is the illustrator of two New York Times bestselling children's books, Duck! Rabbit! and Shark vs. Train. He is the author of many other popular books, including the newly released Cloudette and Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction site. Tom Lichtenheld will give a short, kid-friendly talk with drawings and audience participation. Children will have a chance to see up close how he comes up with his ideas and drawings. Space is limited, registration is suggested. 

10:00-11:30am at Teas and Toes             Melanie Benjamin

 Melanie will greet fans and discuss the characters that have inspired her historical fiction, from Alice Liddell to Lavinia Warren Bump.

 11:30am-1:00pm at Glen Oak Restaurant “Inspired by Personal History”

A fantastic luncheon is planned with a diverse menu and discussion.   Tickets for the event can be purchase at www.downtownglenellyn.com for $15/per person.  Our guest authors hosting the topic are:

Luis Urrea, The Queen of America                       

            Brigid Pasulka, A Long, Long Time Ago & Essentially True

            Cristina Henriquez, Half the World

 2:00-3:30m at Tap House Grill                

 James Kennedy, The Order of Odd Fish 

For teens, tator tots and soda will be served as James Kennedy, author of The Order of Odd Fish will lead the group in discussion. 

“Glen Ellyn has two bookstores and a fantastic library.  We wanted to share our love of books throughout the western suburbs.” said Rosemary from Bundles of Books. The Alliance, an organization of downtown business owners with support from the Village and EDC, understands the importance of supporting the local economy and focuses on executing events that bring people Downtown.

 Some of the events have space limitations and require tickets.  For a detailed agenda, check www.downtownglenellyn.com.

For more information contact Carol White, Temporary Executive Director for Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn at 773 255 4087 or Dawn Bussey, Director of The Glen Ellyn Public Library at 630 790 6760.