Wisconsin Book Fest schedule

The 2005 Wisconsin Book Festival Event Schedule has (finally) been Posted!

The site indicates there are some 80 events scheduled, with more to come. At a cursory glance, it appears they actually did listen to what people said last year and are leaving a half hour between events this year, allow people to travel between different venues, and there are fewer overlapping events. Last year there was no time between the different events. One of the biggest problems I've had with the past couple book fests is how events are spread out around Madison and Middleton with NO time between events. If you wanted to attend something at another site, you had to leave a program early, or arrive at the next late -- and in the case of going between the Historical or Veterans Museums on the Square and Booked For Murder on University Ave, even if you left the one event early, you likely arrived at the next late due to traffic and parking issues. Also, if you take the bus up, you're limited to events downtown as there is no shuttle between the Capitol Square and events off the Square. In a city this big, I find it difficult to believe they can't make it more centralized, with tents and booths downtown, much as I've seen on BookTV at similar events held around the country.

There do seem to be a number of interesting programs on writing/publishing again this year, and not all on Friday as many of those geared towards writers were last year. Of course, that could change as more events are added, but so far I've noted a number of sessions I'd be interested in going to in the downtown area on Saturday. Should get plenty of exercise walking from one end of State Street to the other, too. Will have to decide between a couple events held at the same time on both Saturday and Sunday. I hate when that happens!

One Saturday event that sounds interesting to me is a take-off on the 1000 Journals site, here called "Sixty Books":

Bone Folders' Guild Presents : Sixty Books Kickoff, and Artists' Reception

The Bone Folders' Guild, a book arts group based in Madison, exhibit their original artists' journals, and give a gallery talk to launch the "Sixty Books" project. For this unique book project, Guild members have created sixty handmade blank books, one for each of the libraries in the South Central Library System. For the next year, patrons will be able to borrow the books to write, draw, paint, collage, and journal in them, creating a community-wide collaborative work of art that will comprise a unique and evolving conversation between fellow citizens. Selections from the filled journals will be exhibited at the 2006 Wisconsin Book Festival.

Sounds like an intriguing program to me! I love surfing the 1000 Journals site, seeing where the different books have been and what people all over the world have written/left in them. I can only imagine how much more impressive being able to read and see them up close and in person will be. If you've never been to 1000 Journals, check it out. It's great inspiration!

Wis Book Fest Schedule

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In other news....

Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
Half Price Books has announced a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross for immediate hurricane relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. "It is with a heavy heart and newfound hope that we at Half Price Books extend our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. There is much to be done, and it is comforting to know that the American Red Cross will do everything it can to assist the thousands of displaced families so they may begin to rebuild their lives," said Sharon Anderson Wright, HPB President and CEO. In addition, Half Price Books is working to secure partnerships with local agencies to use its Texas locations as drop off sites for in-kind donations. Please check back soon to find out more. Learn about needs from the Volunteer Center of North Texas. Find a charity you can trust through Charity Navigator's list of highly-rated charities working for victims of Hurricane Katrina. [Find a charity]

Half Price Books Donates $10,000 To Sustain Refugee Literacy Program
Half Price Books presented a check for $10,000 to the Dallas branch of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the leading nonsectarian organization dedicated to refugee relief, protection and resettlement, which will sustain the IRC Refugee Youth Literacy program for the 2005-2006 school year. [learn more]

I knew there was a reaon I loved this bookstore so much!