Crowds begin to gather early at the National Book Fair on the Mall in Washington DC
Yesterday morning I relished the National Book Fair on the Mall in DC. I took the Metro down and arrived almost an hour before the festivities officially were to begin but the booths were already in full swing and I began to fill my complementary blue tote with treasures of posters, bookmarks (Tom estimates I came home with about 800...I think it's closer to 500 :-), CDs and paperbacks. This was a teacher's dream come true! The Book Fair veteran's came fully prepared with rolling suitcases in various sizes...my shoulders understood the virtue in that quite quickly. The drizzly weather did not seem to deter the attendance or the enthusiasm.
Writer Gabriel Shapiro displays his novel Empty City (click on the title to learn more about the book).
The Pavilion of the States was my first stop because it was next to the Poetry Pavilion and the readings weren't scheduled to begin until 10am. This is where I loaded my tote with goodies and met Gabriel Shapiro at the Missouri exhibit. He lives in St. Louis, where I was born and raised and so we struck up a conversation about the city and it's many virtues (in the literary and architectural sense..no mention was made of either the Rams or the Cards). And he was kind enough to keep my already-growing bag under his table for a while so that I could get a few photos more easily...so check out his book (link above), I'm sure you'll find the premise interesting especially if you have any ties to a city in the midst (or need) of rebirth.
Jason Hille, National winner of the Poetry Out Loud competition
This segment of the poetry readings was one of the most enjoyable for me. Six winners of the Poetry Out Loud competition recited classic poems from memory...perhaps performed is a better word. Their renditions were captivating. You can listen to their recitations HERE.
Donald Hall, American Poet Laureate
The Poetry Pavilion filled to overflowing just before recently appointed Poet Laureate, Donald Hall, came to the stage. For more on Hall, click HERE.
What a delightful day! I would have been in heaven, lapping up all that poetry and books galore! Now what are you going to do with all those posters?
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 01 October 2006 at 13:22
What a delightful day! I would have been in heaven, lapping up all that poetry and books galore! Now what are you going to do with all those posters?
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 01 October 2006 at 13:21