On April 26 and 27, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will celebrate its 30th anniversary at USC. Known to literary lovers as “Bookchella,” this event will bring together over 600 authors, celebrities and artists for author discussions, book signings, celebrity panels and screenings. Here are 15 must-see celebrities and authors to keep your eye out for at the largest book festival in the United States:
Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman is a renowned poet, activist and first National Youth Poet Laureate known for reciting her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Utilizing her poetic lyricism, Gorman has ventured into the world of children’s literature, celebrating girlhood and inspiring strength in young girls through her book “Girls on the Rise.” Gorman will discuss this book at Bovard Auditorium on April 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets for this event are available on the L.A. Times Festival of Books Website.
Tika Sumpter
Tika Sumpter, an actress known for her roles in the “Sonic the Hedgehog” franchise and the films “Ride Along” and “Southside with You,” has also tried her hand at children’s literature. Her debut book, “I Got It From My Mama” follows the everyday adventures of a young girl named Ella and the guidance she receives from her mother along the way. Stop by the Children’s Stage on April 27 from 2:05 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to hear Sumpter read and discuss her new book.
Harry Shum Jr.
Actor, singer and dancer Harry Shum Jr., known for his roles on “Glee,” “Shadowhunters” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” is a true triple threat. Expanding his creative pursuits, he has teamed up with his wife, Shelby Rabara — known for her role as Peridot on “Steven Universe” — to write a children’s book called “Martee Dares to Dance.” This book follows a young boy gaining the confidence to express himself creatively through dance with the help of a Martian friend. Hear Shum Jr. and Rabara discuss their book at the Children’s Stage on April 27 from 11:20 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Max Greenfield
Festival of Books regular Max Greenfield, best known for his role as Schmidt on the sit-com “New Girl,” will return to the Festival of Books for his third year to discuss his new children’s book “Good Night Thoughts.” This bedtime story aims to help young readers navigate anxious thoughts before sleeping. Catch Greenfield at the Children’s Stage on April 26 from 4:05 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to hear insight into his latest work.
Ali Hazelwood
Bestselling contemporary romance author and neuroscientist Ali Hazelwood is known for books like “The Love Hypothesis” and “Love, Theoretically.” Her latest release,”Deep End,” follows a Stanford platform diver determined to get into medical school and her budding romance with the men’s swim team captain. Hazelwood will discuss this novel at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center on April 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on a panel called “Full Steam Ahead: Turning up the Heat with Romance’s Spiciest Novels” (tickets required).
Hannah Brown
Hannah Brown is widely known for her reality television appearances on “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Since rising to stardom, she has launched the podcast “Better Tomorrow” and released the New York Times bestselling memoir “God Bless This Mess.” Brown will discuss her latest novel “Mistakes We Never Made”— a rivals-to-lovers, second-chance romance set on a coastal road-trip — on a panel called “Good on Paper: The New Romantic Comedy in Contemporary Fiction.” Catch this conversation in Taper Hall on April 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m (tickets required).
Veronica Roth
Known for the bestselling young adult dystopian trilogy “Divergent,” Veronica Roth has continued to expand her writing in the fantasy genre. “When Among Crows” is a fantasy novella set in a magical underworld of Chicago, following the journey of a monster hunter and a zmora (a demon from Slavic mythology). Roth will discuss this novella on the panel “When the Familiar Turns Fantastical: Masters of the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Genres.” This event will take place at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center on April 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (tickets required).
V. E. Schwab
V. E. Schwab, the author of “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,” will also take part in the “When the Familiar Turns Fantastical” panel alongside Veronica Roth. Schwab will delve into her novel “The Fragile Threads of Power,” which is set in the same world as her “A Darker Shade of Magic” trilogy. This novel explores the magical worlds hidden behind sealed doors in London and the magicians capable of unlocking them.
Rebecca Yarros
Rebecca Yarros is the author of the high fantasy romance series “Empyrean,” set at a military college for dragon riders. “Fourth Wing,” the first book in this five-part series, is currently being adapted into a television series for Prime Video. Yarros is set to talk about the third installment, “Onyx Storm,” at Bovard Auditorium on April 26 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tickets for this event are currently sold out.
Krysten Ritter
Krysten Ritter is an actress known for playing the title character in Marvel’s “Jessica Jones” and for her role as Jane Margolis in “Breaking Bad.” Her second book, “Retreat,” is a thriller set at a villa on the coast of Mexico, following a con artist as she integrates herself into the life of a wealthy socialite. Stop by the L.A. Times Main Stage on April 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. to hear Ritter talk about her new novel.
Big Sean
Multi-platinum rapper and entrepreneur Big Sean has recently entered the literary scene with his debut book “Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace.” This book, part self-help, part memoir, explores how the spiritual practices passed down from his mother have impacted his journey as both a musician and individual. Big Sean will discuss “Go Higher” on the L.A. Times Main Stage on April 27 from 3:00 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Jon M. Chu
USC alumnus Jon M. Chu, director of “Crazy Rich Asians,” “In the Heights” and “Wicked” has recently brought his storytelling to the page. In “Viewfinder: A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen,” Chu reflects on his journey in the film industry as a first-generation Chinese American. Join Chu for a conversation about his debut book at Town and Gown on April 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (tickets required). If you don’t catch Chu at the Festival of Books, he will return to USC on May 15 to deliver this year’s commencement address.
Josh Gad
Josh Gad, the actor known for voicing Olaf in “Frozen” and playing Elder Arnold Cunningham in “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway, has also added “author” to his resume. “In Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some” is a comedic collection of personal essays covering everything from self-image to fatherhood. Hear Gad share insight into his book at the L.A. Times Main Stage on April 27 from 12:40 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.
Jenny Slate
Actress and comedian Jenny Slate is best recognized for her roles in “Big Mouth,” “Parks and Recreation” and “It Ends with Us.” She also co-created and voiced the title character in the Oscar-nominated animated film “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.” Now bringing her creativity to the page, Slate has written a memoir titled “Lifeform.” To hear more about her journey through love and motherhood, catch her at the L.A. Times Main Stage on April 27 from 10:20 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler is an actress and stand-up comedian whose comedy special “The Feeling” recently debuted on Netflix. Infused with the same wit found in her stand-up comedy, her memoir “I’ll Have What She’s Having” is a collection of comedic essays about her life. Handler will be discussing her memoir at the L.A. Times Main Stage on April 27 from 1:50 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
