The annual Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta Book Festival opens Saturday with a list of bestselling, authors, political figures and thought leaders.
Novelist Emily Giffin kicks off the festival at 8 p.m. Saturday in a discussion on her New York Times bestseller, “A Summer Pact.”
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will close the festival on Nov. 17 with a conversation on her book, “The Art of Power.” Pelosi will discuss her journey in American history with Atlanta Journal-Constitution Political Reporter Greg Bluestein.
“From world leaders and renowned journalists to celebrated Israeli authors and entertainers, the 33rd Edition of the MJCCA Book Festival promises a dynamic and unforgettable experience for all who attend,” Co-Chair Tracey Grant said in a statement.
The festival’s 26 authors include Dr. Anthony Fauci, whose appearance is sold out, Mitch Albom, John Quioñones, and Michael Richards.
Bestselling author Noa Tishby will discuss Israel with former Georgia Aquarium CEO Micheal Leven. Lior Ray, an actor and co-creator of the television series “Fauda,” will be in conversation with Lara Krinsky, the national director of Content and Production at Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.
Local authors are a usual mainstay at the book festival, which this year will include a conversation and Q&A with co-authors Neil R. Gordon and Mike Petchenik, who penned the book, “Trial Watchers.” The veteran journalists wrote the anthology of short stories on the public’s obsession with real crime and subsequent trials and also produced a docuseries.
Their appearance at 7:30 p.m. Monday will begin with a 22-minute screening of the first episode of “Trial Watchers,” which the two filmed during CrimeCon last spring in Nashville. Petchenik said the convention drew 6,000 people.
“The first episode is the stories of many true-crime fans,” he said. “We interviewed Nancy Grace, Mark Geragos, who is the Menendez brothers’ attorney, John Ramsey… and a number of other people who are known in the true crime world.”
For their book, Gordon and Petchenik interviewed about 50 people including trial watchers, former jurors, reporters and more. The authors also launched a “Trial Watchers” podcast last summer.
“We’re really excited and honored to have an opportunity to participate in a book festival of this magnitude,” Petchenik said. “It’s wonderful that they would include authors such as ourselves and give us a place to share our work.”
