1. Much Ado About Books

Check out the book festival organized by The Jacksonville Public Library Foundation in Jacksonville called Much About books. Authors are invited to spearhead panel discussions, book signings and writers’ workshops. There’s also the Children’s Chapter, a book fair featuring books and characters made especially for kids. And there’s also the Young Writer’s Awards, featuring the best work from middle and high school students in Jacksonville. Much About Books happens every February at the Jacksonville Public Library.

2. Miami Book Fair

Organized by Florida Center of the Literary Arts at Dade College, the Miami Book Fair is attended by book lovers all over the world every November. The book fair features sessions with different authors with readings and book signings, Children’s Alley (where kids are taught the importance of reading), and International Cafe with special focus on the different literary cultures of other countries. Another highlight is the Write Out Loud Cafe, which features readings from up-and-coming poets, writers, performance artists and monologuists, among others from South Florida. There’s also a Street Fair where hundreds of book lovers gather to buy their latest literary discoveries from the numerous booksellers present.

3. Southwest Florida Reading Festival

Held at the Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park in Fort Myers, the Southwest Florida Reading Festival aims to ignite people’s passion for reading. Past events include a marketplace where booksellers and distributors have a chance to sell their books. There are book signings, demonstrations and arts and crafts activities for children. They also sponsor writing contests for teens and aspiring authors. Be sure to check them out again next March!

4. Zora Festival

This six-day fair in Orange County celebrates the life and works of Zora Neal Hurston, writer, folklorist and anthropologist. The Zora Festival features museum exhibits, public talks, panel discussions, writers’ workshops and concertsevery January. Watch for the Outdoor Festival of the Arts, featuring literacy programs for kids, juried arts competitions and an international marketplace.

Next stop: Illinois

California

1. Bay Area Storytelling Festival

Featuring several of the best storytellers in the country and around the world, be prepared to hear a variety of stories told at the Bay Area Storytelling Festival. Held at the Kennedy Grove Recreational Area in El Sobrante, California, various storytellers stand  up to share new and old stories with the audience, from folk tales to ghost stories to fairy tales. This 2-day event welcomes people of all ages, from school kids to kids-at-heart.

2. Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books

The Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books is the event to go to when you want the chance to talk to your favorite authors. Held on UCLA grounds, outdoor events are free while panel events featuring different authors are ticketed events. This two-day event also features around 300 exhibits of booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations who are there to promote and sell books in their line-ups.

3. Mariposa Storytelling Festival

An annual event that features prominent storytellers from all over the country, prepare to be entertained with the stories they bring. They not only bring their stories but will share them with their audiences through movement, dance, song and expressions. Held at the Yosemite National Park, you definitely will experience another literary world.

Next stop: Arizona