{"id":24088,"date":"2025-04-07T17:17:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T00:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?p=24088"},"modified":"2025-04-23T17:04:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T00:04:04","slug":"los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Here are the USC Dornsife faculty and alumni you\u2019ll see at the L.A. Times Festival of Books"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n    \n                                                    \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-hero \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-hero\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top-768x432.png\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top-1920x1080.png 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top-1280x720.png 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top-768x432.png 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  alt=\"Illustration of two floating pieces of paper in a sky with clouds\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"image-caption\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books showcases literary talent from USC Dornsife. (Illustration: Courtesy of Los Angeles Times.)\n\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n  <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n          <nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n        <ul>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\/?category=arts-and-culture\">Arts and Culture<\/a><\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/nav>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title\">\n\n    \n  <h1>Here are the USC Dornsife faculty and alumni you\u2019ll see at the L.A. Times Festival of Books<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"subtitle\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  The festival, one of the largest of its kind in the country, celebrates its 30th year.\n\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n           <strong class=\"author-field\"><span >By<\/span><a href=\"mailto:communication@dornsife.usc.edu\">Markos Mendez and Margaret Crable<\/a><\/strong>\n    \n          <span class=\"post-date-field\">April 7, 2025<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--social-share \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--social-share\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n    <span class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\" style=\"line-height: 32px;\">\n      <span class=\"title\">\n        Share\n      <\/span>\n                        <a class=\"a2a_button_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Link\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_copy_link\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m7.43475275 9.52380952-2.17490843 2.26076008c-1.08745421 1.058837-1.68841575 2.518315-1.68841575 4.0350275 0 1.5167124.60096154 2.9475732 1.68841575 4.0350274 1.058837 1.0874543 2.51831502 1.6884158 4.03502747 1.6884158 1.44087681 0 2.80427251-.5423678 3.86936601-1.5289606l.1656615-.1594552 2.2321428-2.2321428-1.6311813-1.6311813-2.2321429 2.26076c-.6581959.658196-1.5167124 1.0016026-2.43246332 1.0016026s-1.7742674-.3434066-2.43246337-1.0016026c-.65819597-.6581959-1.00160257-1.5167124-1.00160257-2.4324633 0-.8547009.2991453-1.6595442.87416905-2.2981957l.12743352-.1342677 2.23214286-2.2321429zm6.88661855-.40736607-5.26116068 5.26116075 1.61881868 1.6188186 5.2611607-5.2611607zm1.3837569-5.54501488c-1.4408768 0-2.8042725.54236779-3.869366 1.52896062l-.1656615.15945513-2.23214282 2.23214286 1.63118132 1.63118132 2.2321429-2.23214286c.6581959-.65819597 1.5167124-1.00160256 2.4324633-1.00160256s1.7742674.34340659 2.4324634 1.00160256 1.0016026 1.51671246 1.0016026 2.43246337c0 .85470089-.2991453 1.65954419-.8741691 2.29819559l-.1274335.1342678-2.2321429 2.2321428 1.5739469 1.5739469 2.2321429-2.2321428c1.0874542-1.058837 1.6884157-2.5183151 1.6884157-4.03502751 0-1.51671245-.6009615-2.94757326-1.6884157-4.03502747-1.058837-1.08745421-2.518315-1.68841575-4.0350275-1.68841575z\" transform=\"translate(-3 -3)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Copy Link<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_facebook\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Facebook\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_facebook\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m23.9512 6h-16.9024c-.57923625 0-1.0488.46956375-1.0488 1.0488v16.9024c0 .5792362.46956375 1.0488 1.0488 1.0488h9.10024v-7.34768h-2.46772v-2.87584h2.46772v-2.11508c0-2.45404 1.49872-3.79012 3.68828-3.79012.7389668-.00263323 1.4775241.03516995 2.21236.11324v2.56348h-1.51392c-1.18788 0-1.4174.56544-1.4174 1.39612v1.8316h2.84772l-.37088 2.87584h-2.47684v7.34844h4.83284c.5792362 0 1.0488-.4695638 1.0488-1.0488v-16.9024c0-.57923625-.4695638-1.0488-1.0488-1.0488z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -6)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Facebook<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_twitter\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#twitter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"X\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_twitter\">\n              <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\"\n\t y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 30 30\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 30 30\" xml:space=\"preserve\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\">\n<path fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M14.5,16.2l-0.8-1.1l-6.3-9h2.7l5.1,7.3l0.8,1.1\n\tl6.6,9.4h-2.7L14.5,16.2L14.5,16.2z M16.9,13.4l7.4-8.7h-1.8l-6.5,7.5L11,4.8H5l7.8,11.4L5,25.2h1.8l6.8-7.9l5.5,7.9h6L16.9,13.4\n\tL16.9,13.4z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">X<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_linkedin\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#linkedin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Linkedin\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_linkedin\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m25 21.4220779c0 1.974026-1.6038961 3.5779221-3.5779221 3.5779221h-11.84415582c-1.97402598 0-3.57792208-1.6038961-3.57792208-3.5779221v-11.84415582c0-1.97402598 1.6038961-3.57792208 3.57792208-3.57792208h11.84415582c1.974026 0 3.5779221 1.6038961 3.5779221 3.57792208zm-14.5584416-12.21428569c-.98701295 0-1.60389606.61688311-1.60389606 1.48051949-.12337663.8636364.49350649 1.4805195 1.48051946 1.4805195.987013 0 1.6038961-.6168831 1.6038961-1.4805195 0-.86363638-.6168831-1.48051949-1.4805195-1.48051949zm1.3571429 12.70779219v-8.6363636h-2.83766234v8.6363636zm10.2402597 0v-4.9350649c0-2.5909091-1.3571428-3.8246753-3.3311688-3.8246753-1.4805195 0-2.0974026.8636363-2.4675325 1.4805194v-1.2337662h-2.8376623v8.6363636h2.8376623v-4.9350649c0-.2467532 0-.4935065.1233767-.7402597.1233766-.4935065.6168831-.987013 1.4805194-.987013.987013 0 1.4805195.7402597 1.4805195 1.974026v4.564935z\" transform=\"translate(-6 -6)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">LinkedIn<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_bluesky\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#bluesky\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Bluesky\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_bluesky\">\n              <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n                <path fill=\"#00000\" d=\"M12 10.8c-1.087-2.114-4.046-6.053-6.798-7.995C2.566.944 1.561 1.266.902 1.565C.139 1.908 0 3.08 0 3.768c0 .69.378 5.65.624 6.479c.815 2.736 3.713 3.66 6.383 3.364c.136-.02.275-.039.415-.056c-.138.022-.276.04-.415.056c-3.912.58-7.387 2.005-2.83 7.078c5.013 5.19 6.87-1.113 7.823-4.308c.953 3.195 2.05 9.271 7.733 4.308c4.267-4.308 1.172-6.498-2.74-7.078a8.741 8.741 0 0 1-.415-.056c.14.017.279.036.415.056c2.67.297 5.568-.628 6.383-3.364c.246-.828.624-5.79.624-6.478c0-.69-.139-1.861-.902-2.206c-.659-.298-1.664-.62-4.3 1.24C16.046 4.748 13.087 8.687 12 10.8\"  fill-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n              <\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Bluesky<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_email\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#email\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"E-mail\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_print\">\n              <svg height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 12\" width=\"18\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m8.14285714 9.42857143c-.17142857 0-.34285714 0-.51428571.08571428l7.28571427 6.34285719c.3428572.2571428.6857143.2571428.9428572 0l7.2857142-6.34285719c-.0857142-.08571428-.2571428-.08571428-.4285714-.08571428zm-1.28571428 1.11428567v.1714286 8.5714286c0 .6857143.6 1.2857143 1.28571428 1.2857143h14.57142856c.6857143 0 1.2857143-.6 1.2857143-1.2857143v-8.5714286c0-.0857143 0-.0857143 0-.1714286l-7.2 6.3428572c-.7714286.6857143-1.8857143.6857143-2.6571429 0z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -9)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Email<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                  <\/span>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Book lovers will once again descend onto USC\u2019s University Park Campus April 26-27 for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, now celebrating its 30th year. Attendees will hear from favorite authors, watch live cooking demonstrations, browse book stalls and be serenaded by the USC Trojan Marching Band.<\/p>\n<p>Faculty, students and alumni from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences will appear on panels and read from their books, including <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/percival-everett\/\">Percival Everett<\/a>, Distinguished Professor of <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/engl\/\">English<\/a> and winner of the National Book Award, and <em>New York Times<\/em> best-selling sci-fi and fantasy author <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/former-video-game-developer-bestselling-author-and-alumna-marie-lu-publishes-her-sixth-novel\/\">Marie Lu<\/a>\u201906, who received her degree in <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/\">political science<\/a> from USC Dornsife.<\/p>\n<p>For the full list of events, general information for attendees and to purchase tickets, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/events.latimes.com\/festivalofbooks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Los Angeles Times Festival of Books website.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Saturday, April 26<\/h2>\n<p>10:30 a.m. | Wallis Annenberg Hall<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Literary Life: Connecting the Creative, Critical, and Personal (tickets required)\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/david-ulin\/\">David L. Ulin<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/emily-anderson\/\"> Emily Hodgson Anderson<\/a>, Sara Sligar, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/elda-maria-roman\/\">Elda Mar\u00eda Rom\u00e1n<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/dana-johnson\/\">Dana Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This wide-ranging conversation will explore the life and career of writers who blend their creative work with literary criticism, personal narrative and academic scholarship. The authors will share their experiences connecting creativity with analysis while balancing academic and professional demands.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>11:20-11:40 a.m. | Poetry Stage<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/david-st-john\/\"><strong>David St. John<\/strong><\/a><strong>, reading from <em>Prayer for My Daughter: Poems<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | De los Stage (in association with <em>L.A. Times<\/em> en Espa\u00f1ol)<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Life in Essays: Essayists Writing Memoir<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Suzy Exposito, Edgar Gomez, Manuel Betancourt, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/cwphd\/students\/\">Vanessa Ang\u00e9lica Villarreal<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Love a great memoir but can\u2019t seem to finish a book these days? These titles will give you all the rawness, depth and interiority you\u2019re looking for in essay form. From smiling with all your fake teeth to being the eldest daughter of Mexican parents to online sexting, these essay-in-memoir gems explore intimacy, the humble poor person scam and everything in between.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Noon-1 p.m.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The State of Housing in L.A. and Beyond (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lorcan O\u2019Herlihy, Liz Falletta, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/dowell-myers\/\">Dowell Myers<\/a>, Frances Anderton<\/p>\n<p>The housing crisis has been a long and ongoing struggle in Los Angeles that has been further exacerbated by the recent fires. What does affordable housing mean today, and how can architects, planners and policy makers help create sustainable and livable futures here and across America?<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Noon-1 p.m. | Town and Gown<\/p>\n<p><strong>Griffin Dunne, author of <em>The Friday Afternoon Club<\/em>, and Matthew Specktor, author of <em>The Golden Hour<\/em>, in conversation with David L. Ulin (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Matthew Specktor, Griffin Dunne, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/david-ulin\/\">David L. Ulin<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Join us for an intimate, exclusive look into Hollywood with Griffin Dunne and Matthew Specktor as they talk about their new memoirs. Dunne is an actor, producer and director who earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role in <em>After Hours<\/em>. Specktor is a novelist and screenwriter whose work has appeared in <em>The New York Times<\/em>, <em>GQ<\/em> and <em>The Paris Review<\/em>. During this conversation, both will dive into the legacies and scandals of their families while revealing the truth of what it\u2019s like to grow up in Hollywood.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>12:30-1:30 p.m. | Hoffman Hall, Edison Auditorium<\/p>\n<p><strong>Both\/And: Standing Out, Fitting In, and Coming of Age in Contemporary Fiction (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>DeLana R.A. Dameron, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/cwphd\/students\/\">Kyle Edwards<\/a>, Joseph Earl Thomas, Jon Hickey, Natashia De\u00f3n<\/p>\n<p>Why is life so often a choice between standing out and fitting in? These smart, moving stories examine the thrilling independence of adulthood mixed with the loss of innocence, the search for belonging \u2014 to an ancestral and spiritual home, to a family, to a neighborhood \u2014 and the gaps between our desires and our politics.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>1:30-2:30 p.m. | Wallis Annenberg Hall<\/p>\n<p><strong>Climate Justice and Racial Equity (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Allison Agsten, Santina Contreras, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/eri\/manuel-pastor\/\">Manuel Pastor<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/juan-de-lara\/\">Juan David De Lara<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Environmental devastation and racial inequities are deeply intertwined. Experts from a variety of fields will explain and explore the connections between climate justice and racial equity and how they both factor into new solutions for clean energy transition.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>1:30-2:30 p.m. | Seeley G. Mudd 123<\/p>\n<p><strong>Live, Laugh, Scream: Family Secrets in Crime Fiction (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Christopher Bollen, Liz Moore, Oline Cogdill, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/sara-sligar\/\">Sara Sligar<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A possible family curse, a potentially evil 8-year-old, two kids missing from the richest family in the region: just another day in the lives of these fictional dysfunctional families. These thrilling stories delve deep into complex family relationships, the secrets we keep from each other and the consequences passed down generation after generation, until someone decides they\u2019ve finally had enough.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>1:30-2:30 p.m. | Taper Hall 201<\/p>\n<p><strong>Write to Remember: Memoir as Witness in Times of Turmoil (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sarah Kendzior, Emily Witt, Adriana E. Ram\u00edrez, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/cwphd\/students\/\">Vanessa Ang\u00e9lica Villarreal<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A mother takes her family on a road trip across a rapidly changing America, trying to remind them and herself of all the parts of this country that are worth fighting for. A journalist covering gun violence, climate catastrophes and the rallies of right-wing militias during Trump\u2019s first term charts her immersion into New York City\u2019s dance music underground. A young mother returns from an ancestral journey to Mexico to the sudden loss of her marriage, home and reality. These essential stories about life in an increasingly hostile America broaden our understanding of what memoir and cultural criticism can be.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>2-2:20 p.m. | Poetry Stage<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/mark-irwin\/\"><strong>Mark Irwin<\/strong><\/a><strong>, reading from <em>Once When Green<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>2-3 p.m. | Seely G. Mudd 124<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Gospel Truth: An Exploration Into Religion (tickets required) <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/cavan-concannon\/\">Cavan Concannon<\/a>, Elaine Pagels, Philip Shenon<\/p>\n<p>As we&#8217;ve seen with the recent popularity of Conclave, there is a curiosity in how various levels of the Catholic Church operate behind the scenes. Join our authors as they offer unprecedented looks at the defining struggles of the modern Catholic Church, the lives of the last seven popes, the enduring and lesser-known myths and facts of Jesus&#8217;s life, and more insights into one of the most powerful and controversial religious establishments in human history.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>2:45-3:30 p.m. | De los Stage (in association with <em>L.A. Times<\/em> en Espa\u00f1ol)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Borders and Beyond: An Exploration of Migration and its Realities <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jason De Le\u00f3n, Paola Mendoza, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/usc-commencement-stephanie-canizales-child-migration-researcher\/\">Stephanie L. Canizales<\/a>, Fidel Martinez<\/p>\n<p>From the beginning of time, people have been moving across regions in search of safety and new possibilities. Now, the 2024 National Book Award for Nonfiction winner, a graphic novelist, and a professor with a meticulously researched book unite to explore migration, movement across borders and its realities.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>3-4 p.m. | Annenberg Auditorium<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stay Golden: Writers on the Myth, Majesty, and Mayhem of California (tickets required) <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Michael Hiltzik, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/laih\/content\/david-kipen\/\">David Kipen<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/william-deverell\/\">Bill Deverell<\/a>, James Tejani<\/p>\n<p>California has long reigned as the land of plenty, a place where the sun always shines and opportunity beckons. But what lies underneath the myth is far more complicated. From Spanish incursions into what became known as Alta California to the rise of Big Tech; from renowned iconoclasts and politicians to actors, artists, and farmers; and from untamed frontier towns to high-profile courtrooms to the busiest container port in the Western hemisphere, California has always been, as these books will show us, a place to write home about.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>3:20-3:40 p.m. | Poetry Stage<\/p>\n<p><strong>Callie Siskel, reading from <em>Two Minds: Poems<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>3:30-4:30 p.m. | Taper Hall 101<\/p>\n<p><strong>LET\u2019S GET LIT: 30th Anniversary Roundtable Celebration (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thomas Curwen \u201993, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/david-ulin\/\">David L. Ulin<\/a>,<\/p>\n<p>Join us for a special roundtable discussion celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Reflect on three decades of this iconic event and its lasting effect on the literary community. Panelists will share insight into how the festival has evolved from its humble beginnings on the campus of UCLA to the largest book festival in the United States today. This conversation will highlight key moments in the festival\u2019s history and explore what\u2019s next for this beloved celebration of books, ideas and storytelling.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Sunday, April 27<\/h2>\n<p>10:30-11:30 a.m. | Hancock Foundation, Newman Recital Hall<\/p>\n<p><strong>Unequal Ground: The Silent War Against the Poor and Marginalized (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Andrea Freeman, Bernadette Atuahene, Sarah Jones, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/advocate-for-foster-children\/\">Melissa Ann Chadburn \u201923<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Systemic oppression is not a new term. Its practice is as old as our country, beginning with President George Washington\u2019s instructions to starve out the Native Americans by ruining their crops. Unfortunately, the injustice has not stopped, it has simply changed. Learn how institutionalized racism and disproportionate disparity affect low-income Americans and people of color through food oppression, racist policies, and complicity.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>10:30-11:30 a.m. | Seeley G. Mudd 123<\/p>\n<p><strong>Friend of My Mind: Essays on Finding a Home in Literature (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Glory Edim, Steve Wasserman, Ng\u0169g\u0129 wa Thiong\u2019o, Benjamin Dreyer, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/viet-nguyen\/\">Viet Thanh Nguyen<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Only lifelong readers will know the unique comfort of a book: a place to escape the chaos of the world for a brief while, or a means to make sense of it. These writers discuss the influence of literature throughout their personal lives and careers, from an online book club that went viral to reflections on a career spent as a cultural critic, and finally an examination of the role of books to communities and individuals who are treated like outsiders in their everyday lives.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>10:30-11:30 a.m. | Wallis Annenberg Hall<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Power and Possibilities of AI (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Melinda Chang, Swabha Swayamdipta, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/shrikanth-narayanan\/\">Shrikanth Narayanan<\/a>, Stephen J. Aguilar<\/p>\n<p>Discoveries in artificial intelligence are changing our present and shaping our future. Experts from a range of fields will discuss their research, the societal implications of AI and how they are using AI to do groundbreaking and changemaking work in everything from education to health care.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>11 a.m.-Noon | Albert and Dana Broccoli Theatre<\/p>\n<p><strong>All Together Now: Essay Collections with One Subject, Many Voices (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Bonnie Nadell, Michele Filgate, Jordan Blumetti, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/laih\/content\/dinah-lenney\/\">Dinah Lenney<\/a><\/p>\n<p>James Baldwin once said, \u201cIt was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.\u201d These moving, timely essay collections, each dealing with a singular topic \u2014 photographs, fathers, the Jewish faith \u2014 bring together dozens of writers from all backgrounds and genres to prove that there is more uniting us than there is dividing us.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>11 a.m.-Noon | Seeley G. Mudd 124<\/p>\n<p><strong>Between the Lines: Untold Stories of Literary Legends (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Katherine Bucknell, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/laih\/content\/patt-morrison\/\">Patt Morrison<\/a>, Lili Anolik, Alissa Wilkinson<\/p>\n<p>Didion, Babitz, Isherwood: If you\u2019re a writer, or a reader, it\u2019s impossible to avoid the influence of their work in contemporary literary culture. These three fascinating, deeply researched books take a closer look at each icon: their work, their relationships, their rivalries (sometimes with each other) and the parts of their lives that didn\u2019t always make it into their writing.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>11 a.m.-Noon | Taper Hall 101<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Call Is Coming from Inside the House: Novels about Writers (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nnedi Okorafor, Ashley Whitaker, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/danzy-senna\/\">Danzy Senna<\/a>, Edan Lepucki<\/p>\n<p>Novels about writers are satisfying in a specific way: You know you are getting the dirt, completely unfiltered. These funny, biting, cathartic novels about artists and writers are works of fiction, but they\u2019ll leave the reader wondering how much is truly imaginary and how much these authors, like their characters, are drawing from real life.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Norris Theatre<\/p>\n<p><strong>That Was a Close One: Young Adult Thrillers (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kayla Cagan, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/former-video-game-developer-bestselling-author-and-alumna-marie-lu-publishes-her-sixth-novel\/\">Marie Lu,<\/a> Marisha Pessl, K. Ancrum<\/p>\n<p>A suspenseful love story about a young art thief and the son of the man he\u2019s been stealing from; two secret agents on an international mission; a gamer with a coveted internship who suspects she might be in over her head: These thrilling, suspenseful stories follow ordinary teens who suddenly find themselves in the midst of extraordinary circumstances.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | De los Stage (in association with <em>L.A. Times<\/em> en Espa\u00f1ol)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Voto Latino: Post-Election Reflections<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mike Madrid, Angelica Salas Gustavo Arellano, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/manuel-pastor\/\">Manuel Pastor<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Whether you voted or not, this past election was one for the books. With the U.S. presidential election behind us, we invited several panelists back to reflect on the post election realities and the impact of the Latino vote. This discussion will include a variety of perspectives meant to spark a lively discussion on this critical subject.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Noon-1 p.m. | Seeley G. Mudd 123<\/p>\n<p><strong>What&#8217;s the Frequency &#8230; The Mysteries of the Brain (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Daniel J. Levitin, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/m-g-lord\/\">MG Lord<\/a>, Charan Ranganath<\/p>\n<p>There are some things you never question until someone points them out to you \u2014 especially when it comes to the brain. It empowers everything we do, every moment of our lives, and yet have you ever wondered exactly how memory works, or why music can often feel like actual, physical medicine? These scientists, experts and composers reveal the surprising ways our brains record information, and the ways music has been used as a healing force across centuries, cultures and belief systems.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Noon-1 p.m. | Hancock Foundation, Newman Recital Hall<\/p>\n<p><strong>Man, Myth, or Legend? Political Biographies that Take a Second Look (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Max Boot, <a href=\"https:\/\/today.usc.edu\/christopher-cox-former-congressman-and-sec-chairman-is-elected-to-usc-board-of-trustees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christopher Cox \u201973<\/a>, Michael Hiltzik, Michael Vorenberg<\/p>\n<p>Delve into the lives and leadership of U.S. presidents \u2014 Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson \u2014 whose decisions shaped the course of American history during times of immense national strife. This panel will explore the profound impact these leaders had on the nation, their legacies and how their actions shaped what America is today.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>12:30-1:30 p.m. | Bovard Auditorium<\/p>\n<p><strong>Percival Everett, author of <em>James<\/em>, in conversation with H\u00e9ctor Tobar (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/percival-everett\/\">Percival Everett<\/a>, H\u00e9ctor Tobar<\/p>\n<p>Everett, author of <em>James<\/em>, has arguably written the book of the year. Winner of the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Booker Prize and National Book Critic\u2019s Circle Award<em>, James<\/em> is also a finalist for the L.A. Book Prize in Fiction. Currently in development to become a feature film, this harrowing, darkly humorous novel reimagines the events of <em>Huckleberry Finn<\/em> through the eyes of the enslaved Jim, showing his agency, intelligence and compassion in a radically new light. Join us for an enlightening conversation between Everett and Los Angeles author, journalist and professor H\u00e9ctor Tobar.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>1:30-2:30 p.m. | Wallis Annenberg Hall<\/p>\n<p><strong>Storytelling, Social Movements, and Political Histories (tickets required)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Wendy Cheng, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/nayan-shah\/\">Nayan Shah<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/brittany-friedman\/\">Brittany Friedman<\/a><strong>, <\/strong>Bernadette Atuahene<\/p>\n<p>How to write the story of a social movement? How to narrate political history? This panel features nonfiction writers who engage innovative storytelling techniques and oral histories to explore everything from homeownership in America to student activism in Taiwan.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>2:20-2:40 p.m. | Poetry Stage<\/p>\n<p><strong>Donna Sprujit-Metz, reading from <em>To Phrase a Prayer for Peace<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/donna-spruijt-metz\/\">Donna Sprujit-Metz<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n        \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-related-stories \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-related-stories\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Related Articles\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n                  <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/percival-everett-wins-2025-pulitzer-prize-for-james\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >USC Dornsife\u2019s Percival Everett Wins 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/reading-can-help-overcome-loneliness-and-make-connections\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >What\u2019s in a book? Often, a good friend<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/philosophy-books-for-beginners\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >Five books for understanding life\u2019s biggest philosophical questions<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The festival, one of the largest of its kind in the country, celebrates its 30th year with readings by authors, cooking demonstrations and USC\u2019s Spirit of Troy marching band.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":24089,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,23,10],"tags":[74,53,141],"class_list":["post-24088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-arts-and-culture","category-faculty","tag-english","tag-festival-of-books","tag-literature"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Here are the USC Dornsife faculty and alumni you\u2019ll see at the L.A. Times Festival of Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The festival, celebrating its 30th year, features readings, cooking demonstrations and USC\u2019s Spirit of Troy marching band\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"LA Times Festival of Books features USC Dornsife literary talent\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The festival, celebrating its 30th year, features readings, cooking demonstrations and USC\u2019s Spirit of Troy marching band\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"USC Dornsife News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-08T00:17:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-24T00:04:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Michael Liu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@uscdornsife\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@uscdornsife\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Michael Liu\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447\"},\"headline\":\"Here are the USC Dornsife faculty and alumni you\u2019ll see at the L.A. Times Festival of Books\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-08T00:17:11+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-24T00:04:04+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/\"},\"wordCount\":19,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png\",\"keywords\":[\"english\",\"festival of books\",\"literature\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Alumni\",\"Arts and Culture\",\"Faculty\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/\",\"name\":\"LA Times Festival of Books features USC Dornsife literary talent\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-08T00:17:11+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-24T00:04:04+00:00\",\"description\":\"The festival, celebrating its 30th year, features readings, cooking demonstrations and USC\u2019s Spirit of Troy marching band\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":1150,\"caption\":\"Illustration of two floating pieces of paper in a sky with clouds\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Here are the USC Dornsife faculty and alumni you\u2019ll see at the L.A. Times Festival of Books\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\",\"name\":\"USC Dornsife News\",\"description\":\"USC Dornsife news and events\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\",\"name\":\"USC Dornsife News\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":330,\"caption\":\"USC Dornsife News\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/uscdornsife\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uscdornsife\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/USCCollege\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/uscdornsife\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447\",\"name\":\"Michael Liu\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Michael Liu\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/author\/liumk\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Here are the USC Dornsife faculty and alumni you\u2019ll see at the L.A. Times Festival of Books","description":"The festival, celebrating its 30th year, features readings, cooking demonstrations and USC\u2019s Spirit of Troy marching band","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"LA Times Festival of Books features USC Dornsife literary talent","og_description":"The festival, celebrating its 30th year, features readings, cooking demonstrations and USC\u2019s Spirit of Troy marching band","og_url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/","og_site_name":"USC Dornsife News","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife","article_published_time":"2025-04-08T00:17:11+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-04-24T00:04:04+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2000,"height":1150,"url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Michael Liu","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@uscdornsife","twitter_site":"@uscdornsife","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/"},"author":{"name":"Michael Liu","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447"},"headline":"Here are the USC Dornsife faculty and alumni you\u2019ll see at the L.A. Times Festival of Books","datePublished":"2025-04-08T00:17:11+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-24T00:04:04+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/"},"wordCount":19,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png","keywords":["english","festival of books","literature"],"articleSection":["Alumni","Arts and Culture","Faculty"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/","name":"LA Times Festival of Books features USC Dornsife literary talent","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png","datePublished":"2025-04-08T00:17:11+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-24T00:04:04+00:00","description":"The festival, celebrating its 30th year, features readings, cooking demonstrations and USC\u2019s Spirit of Troy marching band","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/2025_fob_top.png","width":2000,"height":1150,"caption":"Illustration of two floating pieces of paper in a sky with clouds"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-2025\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Here are the USC Dornsife faculty and alumni you\u2019ll see at the L.A. Times Festival of Books"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/","name":"USC Dornsife News","description":"USC Dornsife news and events","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization","name":"USC Dornsife News","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg","width":1000,"height":330,"caption":"USC Dornsife News"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife","https:\/\/x.com\/uscdornsife","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uscdornsife\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/USCCollege","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/uscdornsife"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447","name":"Michael Liu","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Michael Liu"},"url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/author\/liumk\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24088"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24088\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24236,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24088\/revisions\/24236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}