Annual book festival returning beginning Wednesday
 
For Where It's @
The Spectrum
 
ST. GEORGE - The Sixth-Annual St. George Book Festival returns to Southern Utah beginning Wednesday through Oct. 29, with various scheduled events taking place at the St. George Tabernacle, the main campus of the Washington County Library, and the Community Arts Building.

This year's festival promises to be an opportunity for readers of all ages to become energized for reading, along with the chance to mingle with a number of authors and share ideas.

The festival gets under way on Wednesday with a presentation by author Gerald Lund at the St. George Tabernacle at 7 p.m. Then on Thursday, the Washington County Library will present photographer Ann Torrence, who will discuss her new book "US Highway 89: the Scenic Route to Seven Western National Parks," a collection of photographs she took as she traveled more than 15,000 miles of between the Mexico and Canadian borders researching the myths and realities of the American West that can be found on that long and winding highway.

The Washington County Library will be the scene for a pair of cinematic presentations on Oct. 28, beginning at 4 p.m., with a children/youth screening of the movie "Huck Finn."

Following the film at 7 p.m., Brigham Young University Motion Picture Archive curator James D'Arc will discuss his new book, "When Hollywood Came to Town: A History of Moviemaking in Utah," which is the result of more than 30 years of research on this aspect of Utah's history.

The festival will enliven Town Square all day Oct. 29, beginning at 10 a.m., with three simultaneous sessions in the Community Arts Center. D'Arc will host an abbreviated discussion on his Utah moviemaking book, while DSC English Professor AmiJo Comeford and Tamy Burnett will present their collaborative work on pop culture entitled "The Literary Angel: Essays on Influences & Traditions Reflected in the Joss Whedon Series." Also at 10 a.m., Washington County Library Director Britton Lund will host the first of two Dixie Reads seminars, with this session featuring Mark Twain's classic "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."

A plenary session follows at 11 a.m., featuring polygamy survivor and author Elissa Wall, who will discuss her book "Stolen Innocence."

Children's sessions and activities will be presented during the lunch hour, featuring Ferron Holt and the Children's Museum presentation at 12 noon, while Max the Magician will entertain the students at 1 p.m. Lunch will also be served at the Community Arts Center Plaza for $5.

Three more authors will take the stage to begin the afternoon session at 1 p.m., including poet Rosalyn Ostler who will discuss her work "Walking the Earth Barefoot," authors Logan Hebner and Michael Plyler will share their collaboration on the Southern Paiute people entitled "The Southern Paiute: A Tribute," and local author Lyman Hafen will discuss his latest work, "Where Two Streams Meet: the Personal History of a Town."

The final session of the Book Festival follows with three more breakout discussions beginning 2:30 p.m., featuring the second Dixie Reads seminar on Muriel Barbery's piece "The Elegance of the Hedgehog," with the discussion led by Audrey Shumway. Additionally, Salt Lake City author Ally Condie will discuss her New York Times bestselling book "Matched," and award winning author Marilyn Arnold will lead the discussion featuring her latest book, "Bittersweet: A Daughter's Memoir."

Events are free and open to the public thanks to sponsorships by the Utah Humanities Council, the Utah Arts Council, St. George City and The Spectrum. Visit www.sgcity.org/sgbookfestival for more information.
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published October 21, 2011
 
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