Hello Booknerds!

So we are a month into 2023 and “tis’ the season” for lit fests! We thus decided to tell you why you might consider attending one. We are a community that loves everything about books. Hence we can assure you that you would benefit by reading this, especially if you are an avid reader. And in case you missed the lit fest season this year, Team Booknerds is here with all the deets that you would love to know.

First things first, what is a lit fest?

In simple words, a literature festival, also known as the lit fests, is like a social gathering which aims to make authors more accessible to readers. It is similar to an annually arranged assembly of authors, thinkers, leaders and course readers. It aims to be a well-arranged celebration of literature and culture through discussions and sessions.

Here’s all you need to know about the recently held JLF’ 2023:

The famous JLF or Jaipur Lit Fest took place from the 19th to 23rd of January, 2023 in Jaipur’s Hotel Clarks Amer. It had more than 250 speakers (among whom were recipients of many book awards). A total of 34 languages including both Indian and international ones were represented in the JLF. It also had several women writers exhibiting their works. No wonder this 16th edition of the JLF was indeed a literary spectacle to be witnessed.

All registrations for the event were done through an online website. The timings for the JLF were the usual 9 am to 6 pm. A conversation between journalist Nandini Nair and the recent Booker winner Shehan Karunatilaka was among the notable moments from the JLF. They discussed the latter’s second novel The Seven Moons Of Maali Almeida. Children’s author Katherine Rundell was also found conversing with Kristin Roshkifte and Bijal Vachharajani on children’s literature and its relevance. Marlon James, the winner of the 2015 Booker prize was seen in a riveting conversation with the English politician Emily Benn. It was known by the title “Moon witch, spider kind” as a reference to James’ second book in his Dark Star trilogy. The JLF also witnessed the presence of many notable personalities like Daisy Rockwell, Shashi Tharoor, Merlin Sheldrake, and Saurabh Kirpal among many others.

The Kolkata Literary Meet:

The 11th edition of the Kolkata Literary Meet, on the other hand, took place from 21st to 26th January 2023 at the Victoria Memorial, located in the city. The meet was inaugurated by none other than the renowned academic stalwart and critic Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. Daisy Rockwell and Shehan Karunatilaka were present at this literary event as well apart from the JLF this year. The Kolkata Literary Meet was graced by a multitude of famous personalities across the literary and cultural sphere. Ranging from popular Indian author Amitav Ghose to actors like Anirban Bhattacharya were found gracing the event.

Why you should attend a literary festival:

If you are still wondering whether you should attend the next literary festival, here are a few reasons which will help you make up your mind! A literary festival is not only a great spot for discovering new authors and conversing with them but also a wondrous opportunity for gaining some fresh perspectives. Remember, this applies to you even if you aren’t much of a reader.

Lit fests are undoubtedly an enriching way to meet new people, and learn more about literature and culture. And if you are a reader, then it might also turn out to be an exciting opportunity for you to get your book autographed by your favourite author.

Who knows, attending a lit fest might also inspire you to pace up your reading goals! This week Team Booknerds has picked up Ranabir Sen’s Finding Graham and it is proving to be an intriguing read so far. Don’t forget to share with us what you are reading currently.

Happy Reading!