Devin Rodriguez | The Crow’s Nest
By James Bennett III
More than 50 authors will be on campus next week for the 27th annual Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading.
Bestselling authors will be in Lynn Pippenger Hall, Davis Hall and the University Student Center on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some events will be held off campus at the Poynter Institute and the Fish & Wildlife Research Institute.
R.L. Stine, the bestselling author of “Goosebumps,” will headline this year. The event’s schedule — which is subject to change — says Stine will speak about his new novel, “Revenge of the Invisible Boy,” from 10–10:45 a.m. in the University Student Center.
Meg Cabot, a New York Times bestseller, will speak about her new novel, “No Judgments,” from noon–12:15 in the University Student Center.
Dave Barry will speak about his novel “Lessons From Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog” from 1–1:45 p.m. in the University Student Center.
The final headliner, Edwidge Danticat, will talk about her novel, “Everything Inside,” from 2–2:45 p.m. in the University Student Center. Alexia Arthurs, who writes for O, the Oprah Magazine, said the novel was “Haunting, profound—an answered prayer for those who have long treasured Danticat’s essential contributions to the Caribbean literary canon.”
USF St. Petersburg professor Ray Arsenault will also speak at the event from 10–10:45 a.m. in Room 105 at the Poynter Institute. During his presentation, Arsenault will discuss “Arthur Ashe: A Life,” which former President Barack Obama featured on his 2018 reading list.
The Festival of Reading is free and will feature book signings, a book market, food trucks and exhibits. For more details, visit the event’s website at https://www.tampabay.com/expos/festival-of-reading/.
