Inaugural Westchester Book Festival set for Nov. 8 will benefit libraries

Pictured from left are some of the featured book festival authors: Geraldine Brooks, David Grann, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, and Bill McKibben. 

The first-ever Westchester Book Festival, a celebration for book lovers and creators, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Katonah with the goal of engaging readers of all ages, bringing attention to the importance of literacy and strengthening local libraries. 

The festival will be held at the Katonah Village Library and throughout the hamlet.

Initiated by a group of local publishing professionals, editors, agents and book lovers, the festival’s mission is to bring readers face-to-face with exceptional authors, spark dialogue across genres, and honor Westchester’s rich literary legacy. 

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Town of Bedford’s three libraries:  Katonah Village Library, Bedford Free Library and Bedford Hills Library.

Among the featured speakers are Geraldine Brooks (author of “Memorial Days,” “Horse,” “March,” “Year of Wonders”); David Grann (“The Wager,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “The Lost City of Z”); Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (“Chain Gang All-Stars,” “Friday Black”); Bill McKibben (“Here Comes the Sun,” “The End of Nature”); Patrick Radden Keefe (“Rogues,” “Empire of Pain,” “Say Nothing”); Emma Straub (“This Time Tomorrow,” “All Adults Here,” “Modern Lovers”); David Wallace-Wells (“The Uninhabitable Earth,” New York Times journalist).

Festival details

The event includes panel talks and keynote speakers, with authors and publishing professionals presenting conversations at the Katonah Village Library. Tickets are required for these sessions. Other highlights follow.

Gallery talks: Sessions on How to Produce an Audiobook and Creating Children’s Books will be held downtown at Oak and Oil and Choma galleries. Tickets are required for these sessions. 

Authors’ Corner: These will feature casual meet‑and‑greet and signings with local and regional writers at Katonah Reading Room, free and open to the public, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lauren Acampora, Fiona Davis, Sam Hollander, Ann Leary, Greg Wands and others will host signings, readings and conversations. 

Book Sales: On-site purchases will be available, made possible by Katonah Reading Room plus a special pop‑up sale throughout the day at the store at 19 Edgemont Road.

General admission tickets for library events are $20 per session and can be purchased at westchesterbookfest.org.

The Westchester Book Festival is a nonprofit initiative celebrating the power of reading and storytelling. It was founded by local industry professionals including John Glusman, vice president and executive editor at W.W. Norton & Company.

“Our hope is that the festival becomes a lasting fixture of Westchester’s cultural calendar,” said Glusman, who is the festival chairman. “The local community, and the book world in general, has been amazingly supportive. It really has taken on a life of its own. The roots are planted and getting stronger by the day.” 

Individuals and businesses can support the event through donations, sponsorships and volunteering. The Recorder is a media sponsor.

To purchase tickets and for an up-to-date event schedule visit www.westchesterbookfest.org.