The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will get underway Saturday at the USC campus, launching a two-day event featuring more than 550 storytellers, nearly 100 panels and a wide range of literary and cultural programming.
The 31st annual festival continues Sunday, with activities spanning eight outdoor stages and more than 350 exhibitors across the USC campus, according to organizers.
A star-studded lineup includes Lionel Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker, Larry David, Tina Knowles, Roxane Gay, Margaret Atwood and Pat Benatar, along with dozens of other authors, actors and musicians.
Richie will appear Sunday as part of the Ideas Exchange speaker series, discussing his memoir, “Truly,” in a conversation with Times pop music critic Mikael Wood. The book explores his upbringing in Alabama and rise to fame, including his years with the Commodores.
Organizers said Parker is set to join Alexandra Oliva on Saturday to discuss Oliva’s novel, “The Radiant Dark,” while David will appear Sunday in conversation with Times critic Lorraine Ali about her book, “No Lessons Learned: The Making of Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Additional participants include Reza Aslan, Anne Lamott, Chanel Miller and Michael Connelly.
New this year is an Audiobook and Podcast Stage presented by Spotify, featuring speakers including Times writer Christopher Goffard and novelist Shelby Van Pelt, organizers said.
The festival will also include film and television previews, including Hulu’s “Rivals,” followed by a discussion with producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins and actor Nafessa Williams.
The Times Food Stage will feature cooking demonstrations by Cassandra Peterson, known as Elvira, from her book “Elvira’s Cookbook From Hell,” as well as culinary influencer Cassie Yeung.
Other scheduled participants include David Duchovny, Fab 5 Freddy, Jennie Garth, Max Greenfield, Dr. Becky Kennedy, Hayley Kiyoko, Susan Lucci, Tamika D. Mallory, Danica McKellar, Abby Phillip, Lisa Rinna, Jacob Soboroff and Bellamy Young.
The weekend will begin Friday night with The Times’ 46th annual Book Prizes at USC’s Bovard Auditorium. Amy Tan will receive the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement, We Need Diverse Books will be honored with the Innovator’s Award and Adam Ross will receive the Christopher Isherwood Prize.
The ceremony will recognize 61 works across 13 categories, including audiobook production.
General admission is free. “Friend of the Festival” packages, which include panel reservations, parking and merchandise, are available for purchase.
More information can be found at www.latimes.com/events/festival-of-books.