IN PHOTOS
Writers and readers come together at Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
The festival took place over two days and included author panels, book signings, vendors, performances, food and more.
Photos & words by HENRY KOFMAN
April 24, 2024
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books took place over two days, Saturday April 20 and Sunday April 21, and included author panels, book signings, vendors, performances, food and more. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
RuPaul, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Drag,” took to the Bovard Auditorium stage Saturday afternoon. After a brief introduction, he delivered an hour-long speech that was essentially a powerful, moving stand-up routine. At one point during the talk, he didn’t like the angle two photographers were getting of him at the bottom of the stage and called them up to give them a proper pose. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Max Greenfield, better known to many as Winston Schmidt from “New Girl,” spoke on the L.A. Times Main Stage about “I Don't Want to Read This Book Aloud,” followed by a signing and a chance for fans to see him up close. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
GRL!, a student-led band, graced the USC Stage during the festival, performing a mix of covers and originals to an ecstatic crowd. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Oversized L.A. Times crosswords printed on whiteboards were set up around the festival. The different crossword locations had friendly competition in how many completions they got done as well as the speed with which they got done. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Hayley Kiyoko, actress, singer-songwriter and author, talked about her book “Girls Like Girls” in the context of book bannings. Many attendees were fans of her role as Stella Yamada in the Disney Channel classic “Lemonade Mouth” (2011). (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Festivalgoers interacted with boards around campus writing what they were reading, creating a collage of romance, drama and even the Bible. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Crowds gathered at Hahn Plaza to hear the blasting melodies from the student bands that took to the USC Stage. There was dancing, singing and recording to capture the high-energy moment into their camera rolls. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Tiffany Haddish, comedian and actor, had two talks at the festival: she started her day at the Children’s Stage followed by a quick book signing of “Layla, the Last Black Unicorn” before making her way to the L.A. Times Main Stage to discuss “I Curse You with Joy.” (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Actor and comedian Henry Winkler made his way back to campus to discuss his book “Being Henry: The Fonz … and Beyond” after making an appearance at Norris Cinema Theatre in the beginning of March to receive the Oakie Award, given out by the School of Cinematic Arts. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Many panels left time for a Q&A from the audience, allowing festivalgoers to ask their pressing questions to their favorite celebrities and authors. Children eagerly asked author Stuart Gibbs questions about his young adult mystery books, curious as to how he comes up with such tales. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
Actress Octavia Spencer sat in Town and Gown Sunday on a panel with Ashley Elston, author of “First Lie Wins,” and Krista Vernoff, screenwriter and producer best known for her work on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Shameless,” to discuss the upcoming adaptation of Elston’s work. (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)