7
EZthe washington post
wednesday, august28
,
2019
Chaia (615 I St. NW) are a short
stroll away. Or you could try a
quick(ish) sit-down experience,
with dumplings and ramen at Re-
ren (817 Seventh St. NW), tacos at
El Sol (1227 11th St. NW) or lunch
at Busboys and Poets (450 K St.
NW), which has something for
everyone.
Can I bring the kids?
Most definitely. The expo floor
on the lower level offers endless
activities for little ones. In addition
to two stages featuring such au-
thors as R.J. Palacio (“Wonder”)
and Adam Rubin (“Dragons Love
Tacos”), there will be beloved char-
acters (Clifford the Big Red Dog
and others) roaming the floor for
photo ops. There will also be story-
telling, origami tutorials, poetry
writing workshops, giveaways and
trivia games. For older kids, activi-
ties on a teen stage includes talks
with Markus Zusak (“The Book
Thief”), Rainbow Rowell (“Eleanor
& Park”) and others.
Which authors should I see?
That depends on (a) your taste
and (b) your ability to deal with
crowds. Last year, the line for
Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s discus-
sion created gridlock for festival-
goers, so you can be sure that the
crowd trying to see her Supreme
Court colleague Ruth Bader Gins-
burg will similarly paralyze the
hallways. If some of the big-name
attendees — including David Mc-
Cullough, Richard Ford and José
Andrés — are on your must-see list,
make sure you get in line early for a
seat. All author events are first
come, first served. And don’t dis-
miss some of the less-assuming
names on the schedule; they might
end up delivering the most mean-
ingful conversations. One of the
joys of the festival is the chance to
wander into different rooms and
discover the wisdom of an author
you might not otherwise have en-
countered.
What do I wear?
Dress is casual, and comfy shoes
are a must. The convention center is
massive, and the stages are scat-
tered throughout the building. You
may spend a lot of time on your feet,
whether you’re zipping from one
talk to another or waiting in line to
get a book signed. Also, the air
conditioning will be blasting, so you
might want to bring a light jacket.
Can I get my books signed?
Yes. Most authors will be signing
copies of their books, but not at
their speaking events. A separate
signing area for authors can be
found on the lower level. Check the
schedule to find out when your
favorite writer will be available for
a quick meet-and-sign.
Can I buy books there?
Yep, starting at 8:30, books by
featured authors are available for
purchase, and you can stash them in
your free National Book Festival
tote bag. (Look for those coveted
items at information booths around
the convention center.) Keep in
mind that you won’t want to take
too many books with you to the
convention center, as there’s a bag
limit for entry (one bag plus one
personal item, such as a purse) and
all bags will be searched. The less
you take with you, the faster you
make it through security — and into
this once-a-year bookish oasis.
The Washington Post is a char-
ter sponsor of the National Book
Festival.
ur day
g
d
f
ing of the Library of Congress’s annual celebration of authors and
fpeople to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, proving
x.) That doesn’t make navigating the festival any easier. What we
h leaves attendees with some difficult decisions. Where to begin?
ogistical questions.