Today's Read Contributor The 2022 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books opened on April 6 at the University of Southern California, bringing together writers, authors, book lovers, and industry professionals for a weekend celebration of literature. With more than 400 authors and speakers participating, the festival showcased a diverse range of topics and genres, from fiction to non-fiction, memoirs to poetry, with a focus on contemporary issues such as racial justice, identity, and the future of publishing.
One of the most notable moments of the festival was the opening keynote address by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead. Whitehead, known for his novels The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, spoke about the power of storytelling to confront America’s difficult history and its ongoing struggles with systemic racism. His conversation with journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson, who wrote the acclaimed Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, explored how literature can serve as a tool for dismantling oppressive structures and creating spaces for empathy. “Literature has the ability to give a voice to the voiceless, and that is something we cannot underestimate,” Whitehead said.
The festival also emphasized the importance of diversity in literature, with a particular focus on marginalized voices. Author and activist Ibram X. Kendi, whose work How to Be an Antiracist has become a seminal text in the conversation around race in America, led a discussion titled Building an Inclusive Literary Future. Kendi discussed how writers and publishers can work together to ensure that books represent a wide range of experiences, and that the literary world is more reflective of America’s complex identity.
The festival’s non-fiction programming also included a panel featuring environmental journalist Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction, which highlighted the urgent need for climate action. Kolbert’s discussion on how human activities have dramatically impacted biodiversity and the planet’s ecosystems resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom were eager to engage with her call for collective responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Alongside the panels, the festival featured numerous book signings, writing workshops, and author talks, creating opportunities for attendees to interact with their favorite authors. Indie presses were also well-represented, underscoring the growing importance of small publishers in providing space for emerging voices.
One of the standout features of the 2022 festival was its emphasis on the future of books in a digital age. Sessions on e-books, audiobooks, and digital storytelling attracted large audiences interested in exploring how technology is reshaping reading habits and the publishing process. Digital publishers and innovators from platforms like Audible and Bookshop.org discussed strategies for making literature more accessible and engaging in an increasingly screen-centric world.
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books closed on April 10 with a sense of excitement and renewed energy for the future of literature. As the event continues to grow, it remains a vital space for discussions on the direction of the literary world and how writers can continue to shape important conversations in society.
