DSM Book Festival for Book Clubs
True confession: I’m a multi-library-card-carrying unabashed bibliophile. I love books. Reading them, talking about them, being around them, all of it. Needless to say, I’m excited about the upcoming DSM Book Festival.
Below are my personal thoughts and reviews on the headlining authors and some of their works. There is also information on registering your book club and the perks available.
My Thoughts and Reviews
I recently read Susan Orlean’s, “The Library Book” (I have a special affinity for any book about bookstores or libraries.) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it to be a riveting read about the Los Angeles Library fire and the search for a suspect. She’ll be speaking at the festival and I’m looking forward to hearing the backstories to her books and insights into her writing process. I think meeting an author and hearing them in person adds another layer of enjoyment to reading their works. I’ve added her book, “The Orchid Thief,” to my to-be-read list and plan to get through it before the festival.
I’ve also added “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein to my to-be-read list. In fact, I’m making it the next selection in one of the four book clubs I belong to. You can bet I’ll be encouraging my fellow book clubbers to come hear him talk.
A friend of mine told me she was very excited about Nnedi Okorafor being at the event. I had to admit, I didn’t know who she was but when my friend said she wrote several Black Panther books, I knew I had a way to get my 14-year-old daughter to the event. She’s also a huge bookworm (parenting win!) and is currently obsessed with all thing Black Panther. And is now also eagerly awaiting the DSM Book Festival.
I’m also looking forward to the Beaverdale Books Book Club discussion of “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin. After I finished reading the book a couple of years ago, I told all my fellow book-loving friends they HAD to read it. Truly, anyone who loves books should read it. It’s charming, sweet and brimming with love for books. It’s one of my top five books of all time and I can’t wait to hear wait other readers have to say about it.
The DSM Book Festival is Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Capital Square and Cowles Commons in Downtown Des Moines. Festival admission is FREE thanks to the DSM Book Festival sponsors. Fees may apply to select hands-on activities and experiences.
Perks for Book Clubs
All registered Book Clubs have the chance to win one of three prize packages. Winners will be drawn throughout day at the Hubbell Main Stage at Capital Square during the DSM Book Festival. Registration is open until Midnight on March 28, 2019. Register here and find complete rules and regulations. You better believe I’m registering all four of my book clubs and I hope you do too!
Prize Packages
Prize packages include:
Coffee Talk
Ten gift certificates to Mars Cafe and Mars Sidebar, each valued at $5. Ten Mars coffee mugs. Total value: $150
Book Clubs Are Sweet
Ten gift certificates for Beaverdale Books, each certificate valued at $10. One $22 gift certificate to Scratch Cupcakery. Total value: $122
Books + Beers + Brownies
Ten copies of the book, "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry," a $200 gift certificate to Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company and 12 brownies from Palmers Deli. Total value: $450
This promotion is sponsored by Beaverdale Books, Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company, Mars Sidebar and Scratch Cupcakery.
Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a big city. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.