The 17^th annual Chippewa Valley Book Festival starts today, Monday, October 10!  I am embarrassed to admit that, although I am an Eau Claire native, and an English major, and the festival has been in existence for more than half of my lifetime (okay, only by a teeny bit) I was completely unaware of the festival until I started working at the library, which hosts several events each year.

It is a truly amazing lineup of events and a great way to join fellow literature lovers for conversations about books and life.  No need to wear a fancy outfit, have lines of Proust memorized, or even to have read the books being discussed – all that is required is an eagerness to learn about the writing process and author inspiration and/or an appreciation for great storytelling.

The festival celebrates the written word through author readings and book signings, school visits, meals with authors, and includes workshops and programs for writers of all ages. The 2016 festival will feature more than twenty authors at area libraries, schools and other community locations. The festival begins features programs daily through October 20, with evening programs at five area public libraries. Below is a list of events happening here at the library, but check out the website for the program details and full slate of events.

Friday, October 14 | 4 p.m.
Nadine St. Louis Poetry Reading

Saturday, October 15
9:30 a.m. | Curt Meine, author of Aldo Leopold: His Life and Work
10:45 a.m. | Hillary Jordan, author of Mudbound and When She Woke
1 p.m. | Susan Gloss, author of Vintage
2:15 | Weina Dai Randel, author of The Moon in the Palace
3:30 | Lucie Amundsen, author of Locally Laid: How We Built a Plucky Industry-Changing Egg Farm

Monday, October 17 | 7 p.m.
Jon Loomis, author of Mansion of Happiness