Today's Read Contributor The Texas Book Festival is celebrating a significant milestone in 2025, marking its 30th anniversary since its inception in 1995. Founded by former First Lady Laura Bush and Mary Margaret Farabee, the event has grown from a small gathering into one of the largest and most influential literary festivals in the United States. The festival is held annually at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, and in recent years, it has become a celebrated cultural event that brings together a diverse group of authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts from across the country.
Each year, the Texas Book Festival attracts an impressive number of participants, with more than 250 authors featured in panel discussions, book signings, and other literary events. The festival consistently draws around 40,000 attendees, offering an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the literary world in a meaningful way. It’s not just about the books, though; the festival creates a unique space where ideas are exchanged, conversations are sparked, and a shared passion for literature is celebrated. Authors from a variety of genres—fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, and poetry—take part, and this diversity helps to create an atmosphere that is both inclusive and stimulating for readers and writers alike.
The 30th-anniversary event, scheduled for November 8-9, 2025, promises to be a memorable occasion, with appearances by prominent figures in the literary world and beyond. Notable participants include Henry Cisneros, the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; comedian and author Chelsea Handler; and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, a leading scholar and author on race and history. The festival will also feature Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of Laura Bush, who will participate in a ticketed conversation about her new book, offering an intimate look at her writing process and the inspiration behind her work.
In addition to celebrating literature and fostering dialogue, the Texas Book Festival has made a lasting impact on education and literacy. Through its Reading Rock Stars program, the festival has donated over $3.6 million to libraries across Texas and provided nearly 200,000 books to Title I schools, helping to ensure that children from underserved communities have access to books and educational resources. These contributions to literacy are a testament to the festival’s ongoing commitment to supporting readers of all ages, from young children to lifelong learners.
The Texas Book Festival’s legacy is built on more than just its annual events; it is a celebration of the power of storytelling, education, and community. Over the past three decades, the festival has grown in both scope and impact, but its founding mission—to bring people together to engage with books and promote literacy—remains at its heart. As the festival celebrates its 30th year, it continues to play a crucial role in Texas’ cultural landscape, serving as a platform for diverse voices and a beacon of literary excellence.
