The Miami Book Fair kicks off on Sunday at Miami Dade College’s downtown Wolfson Campus for a run through Nov. 23, culminating in the signature three-day street fair beginning Nov. 21.
Perhaps even more so this year, the depth and diversity of writers and voices coming in to take part are a distinctive achievement for the organizers.
Among the highlights this weekend is an appearance by songwriter Kenny Chesney, the country-music star of stadium-filling renown, who will talk about his memoir “Heart Life Music” with co-author Holly Gleason at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, a gathering long sold out.
Other highlights include:
- photographer and culture warrior Sally Mann (7 p.m. Nov. 19)
- newly appointed U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze (8 p.m. Nov. 20)
- local pals Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen (4 p.m. Nov. 22)
- chef and traveler Padma Lakshmi (10 a.m. Nov. 22)
- restaurateur Keith McNally (noon Nov. 22)
- sports journalist S.L. Price (3 p.m. Nov. 22)
- DJ and producer Arthur Baker with music scribe and filmmaker Nelson George (5:30 p.m. Nov. 22)
- Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart (2:30 p.m. Nov. 23)
- Reginald Dwayne Betts reading from “Doggerel,” his book of poetry set among dogs (3 p.m. Nov. 23)
Note that many author appearances can be accessed with a free ticket, others with tickets for purchase.
This year’s Miami Book Fair is featuring a Jewish Life & Culture program, with the popular Street Fair hosting appearances by notables in the literary world. Listen to cartoonist Art Spiegelman during a discussion on “Maus,” his seminal work on the Holocaust; Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, who will present her memoir “Heart of a Stranger”; and novelist Gary Shteyngart, who will participate in a panel discussion.
For more information, visit MiamiBookFair.com.
Jewish Journal Editor Jessica Tzikas contributed to this report.
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