Lexington, Ky. – Kentucky Humanities will host a week-long celebration of literacy with the Kentucky Book Festival, November 10-16.

“Lexington embraced the inaugural Kentucky Book Festival last year and has become the perfect home for this week of literary events,” said Kentucky Humanities Executive Director Bill Goodman. “We are excited to host a wide variety of events for readers of all ages to enjoy. Lexington has a rich literary heritage, and it is a privilege and a joy for us to be able to bring the Kentucky Book Festival to Lexington once again.”

Festival events include:

KBF School Days
October 1-4 (pre-festival event); November 11-15
Eight authors will visit 23 rural schools across Kentucky to give presentations and sign books for students.
Registration closed.

For the Hog Killing, 1979: A Gallery Exhibit
October 29- November 9 (pre-festival event); Tuesday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Closed Sunday and Monday
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, Lexington
A gallery exhibit featuring photos taken by Tanya Amyx Berry that have been collected in her first book, For the Hog Killing, 1979, which was published through Fireside Industries, an imprint of the University Press of Kentucky and Hindman Settlement School. At a farm in Henry County, Kentucky, Tanya Amyx Berry photographed a celebratory ritual of farm life: hog killing. These photographs reveal the American agrarian tradition at its most harmonious: strong men and women toiling with shared purpose toward a common wealth. Tanya, an artist and agrarian, is deeply entwined with the Kentucky community surrounding the hillside farm she shares with her husband, Wendell Berry.
This event is FREE and open to the public.

Kentucky Book Festival Kickoff
Sunday, November 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.,
ArtsPlace, Lexington
Join authors Amanda Driscoll, Liz Swanson, Marvin Bartlett, David Arnold, Shawn Pryor, Idris Goodwin, Gwenda Bond, and Christopher Rowe for an afternoon of book-themed fun for the whole family. Mayor Linda Gorton will open the festivities; special guest Meteorologist Jill Szwed from WLEX will stop in for story-time; and the Newport Aquarium’s WAVE Foundation Outreach on Wheels will be there too! Bring in a new toy for Jarrett’s Joycart, and you will be entered to win prizes.

Find a full schedule of events at https://www.kyhumanities.org/programs/kentucky-book-festival/2019-kentucky-book-festival-schedule-of-events/kickoff-event. 

This event is FREE and open to the public. No registration required.

Literary Luncheon
Tuesday, November 12 at noon
ArtsPlace, Lexington
Enjoy Kentucky fare with Kentucky’s finest! Authors Gurney Norman, Bobbie Ann Mason, Ed McClanahan, and Mary Ann Taylor-Hall spend some time in conversation with Crystal Wilkinson. Your ticket includes admission, a Kentucky-themed lunch, and up-close and personal contact with these Kentucky greats. Books will be available for purchase and can be signed following the conversation. Seating is limited.

Tickets are required and available for $40 at https://www.kyhumanities.org/programs/kentucky-book-festival/2019-kentucky-book-festival-schedule-of-events/literary-luncheon- 

Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry Screening
Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m.
The Kentucky Theatre, Lexington
Join us for a special screening of the documentary Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry. Director Laura Dunn will be joined by Tanya Berry for a conversation before the film, which includes never before seen footage and outtakes.

FREE and open to the public, however an RSVP is required. RSVP at https://www.kyhumanities.org/programs/kentucky-book-festival/2019-kentucky-book-festival-schedule-of-events/look-and-see-screening. 
 
Cocktails & Conversation
Thursday, November 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Mane on Main, Lexington
Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman’s memoir, Sounds Like Titanic, takes readers on a journey across the U.S. as she joined an orchestral ensemble that “fake-played” their instruments to a CD that sounded eerily like the soundtrack to the movie Titanic. Did faking it sink Jessica’s ship? Listen in on a conversation between KET’s Renee Shaw and Jessica, and discover if you would fake it to make it if given the chance. Your ticket includes admission, appetizers, beer, wine, and our signature drink. Alcohol will be served to those 21 years of age and older with a valid ID. Books will be available for purchase and can be signed following the conversation. Seating is limited.

Tickets are required and available for $35 at https://www.kyhumanities.org/programs/kentucky-book-festival/2019-kentucky-book-festival-schedule-of-events/cocktails-and-conversation 

Books & Brews Trivia
Thursday, November 14 at 7 p.m.
West Sixth Brewing, Lexington
Think you know books and literature? Prove it! Gather your team and join Local Action Trivia for a trivia competition made for book nerds.
FREE and open to the public. No registration required.

Commerce Lexington Spotlight
Friday, November 15 at 8 a.m.
The Grand Reserve, Lexington
Let’s talk bourbon! Join us for a discussion featuring Brian F. Haara, Linda Ruffenach, and Blair Thomas Hess in conversation with Gathen Borden of VisitLEX. Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the presentation.

Tickets required and available at www.commercelexington.com. 

KBF Master Class
Friday, November 15
The 2019 KBF Master Class for high school students features New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Hey, Kiddo, is Jarrett’s first graphic memoir for young adults and is about his childhood and teen years, a period of time in which art became a lifeline and a way to process his mother’s battles with addiction and the absence of his birthfather. Students will get a first-hand look at how Krosoczka created this deeply heartfelt memoir. A dramatic reading from the book will be paired with the behind-the-scenes look of how it all came together. Krosoczka will visit Breathitt County High School and Jackson Independent School.

Registration closed.

38th Annual Kentucky Book Fair
Saturday, November 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington
More than 200 local and national authors will sign books, and two stages will be the setting for author presentations and panel discussions. Headliners include Casey Cep, Steve Luxenberg, Scott Pelley, Tanya Berry, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Jim Acosta, Elliot Ackerman, Abigail Pesta, Rosemary Wells, Adrian Matejka, and Frank X Walker. Full list of authors and schedule of events available at https://www.kyhumanities.org/programs/kentucky-book-festival/2019-kentucky-book-festival-schedule-of-events/2019-kentucky-book-fair. 

FREE admission and FREE parking.

The Kentucky Book Festival would not be possible without our sponsors, donors, and community partners. More information on the Festival can be found at https://www.kyhumanities.org/programs/kentucky-book-festival or by calling (859) 257-5932.

Kentucky Humanities is a non-profit Kentucky corporation affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. For information about Kentucky Humanities’ programs and services, including the Kentucky Book Festival, visit kyhumanities.org.