We are partnering with Utah Humanities, Summit County Library, and Wasatch County Library to host a book festival during National Book Month! The love of books and reading will be celebrated as the community comes together to participate in activities and discussions that explore literary themes. This book celebration will take place from October 21–27, with events hosted at libraries in Wasatch and Summit Counties. The festivities will culminate in a 3-day celebration at the Park City Library on October 25–27, 2024, featuring activities and events for all ages.
Mike Finkel Author Lecture & Book Signing
October 21st, 6pm @ Park City Library, Jim Santy Auditorium
Find yourself riveted as author Michael Finkel talks about his New York Times bestselling book The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession in which he describes the fascinating world of master thief Stéphane Breitwieser who stole art from museums and cathedrals all over Europe -not for money, but for passion.
About the book: Stéphane Bréitwieser is the most prolific art thief of all time. He pulled off more than 200 heists, often in crowded museums in broad daylight. His girlfriend served as his accomplice. His collection was worth an estimated $2 billion. He never sold a piece, displaying his stolen art in his attic bedroom. He felt like a king. Until everything came to a shocking end. In this spellbinding portrait of obsession and flawed genius, Michael Finkel gives us one of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of our times, a riveting story of art, theft, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.
Utah Library of Congress Great Reads from Great Places 2024 Authors Reading and Signing with Ally Condie and Stacie Denetsosie
October 23rd, 6pm @ Folklore Book Store, Midway
Join Utah’s Library of Congress 2024 Great Reads from Great Places authors Ally Condie and Stacie Denetsosie for a reading, discussion, and book signing.
A Night with Pam Houston
October 24th, 6pm @ Summit County Library Kimball Junction Branch
Join Pam Houston at Summit County Library’s Kimball Junction Branch for a reading, discussion, and book signing.
Mystery in the Stacks
October 25th, 6pm @ Park City Library
Step into the shadows of the library after hours and immerse yourself in “Mystery in the Stacks,” an interactive film noir themed experience where intrigue and suspense await at every corner. Five talented improvisers will bring the story to life, portraying unforgettable characters. Join us for an evening of mystery, drama and delightful light fare as you unravel the secrets hidden within our library.
Embrace the noir theme and done your best film noir attire! Think Fedora’s, trenchcoats, and glamorous dresses. Costumes are highly encouraged to enhance the immersive experience and add to the ambiance.
This is a ticketed event to support the Friends of the Library. Prices are: $25 for Friends of the Library members, $35 for non-members, $12 for children 12 and under, and $40 for tickets the day of the event.
Favorite Lines and Pies
October 26th, 9am @ Lucky Ones Coffee Shop in the Park City Library
Step up to the mic to share the lines of your favorite book while enjoying a piece of your favorite pie. Literary readings, coffee, and pie for breakfast. It’s a great way to start a literature-inspired day.
Meet Local Authors
October 26th, 10am @ Park City Library, Second Floor
Meet local artists who will have tables around the Library’s Second Floor. They will take the time to discuss their latest books, answer questions, share their writing process, and give sneak previews into their works-in-progress.
Book Craft Extravaganza
October 26th, 10am @ Park City Library, Main Floor
Join the Book Festival Craft Extravaganza to try your hand at literary crafts on the Library’s Main Floor. Make a bookmark, design a hand puppet, fold an origami design, and more.
Papermaking Demonstrations
October 26th, 10am @ Park City Library, Rm 101
See how paper is made by hand. A local papermaking expert will demonstrate the age-old process of making paper. You might find yourself surprised to see what goes into making a single sheet of paper and learn that you can do it, too.
Art of the Book
October 26th, 10am @ Park City Library, Rm 201
Learn about unique one-of-a-kind hand-crafted books during the Book Festival with books that are truly works of art brought to us by The Book Arts Program at the University of Utah J. Willard Library where letterpress printing, bookbinding, artists’ books, and typography are utilized to create beautiful masterworks.
History of the Book
October 26th, 10am @ Park City Library, Rm 301
Experience the history of the book with rare artifacts brought to us by the Rare Books Department at the University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library. You will see rare books that vary by age, scarcity, print history, and provenance. It’s a unique opportunity to experience literary antiquity first-hand.
Puppet Show: Moose on the Loose
October 26th, 10:30am & 1pm @ Park City Library, Community Rm
Come with a spirit of fun to this puppet theater performance by young, local puppeteers. The whole family will laugh at the antics of what happens when there’s a Moose on the Loose in the Library.
Bestselling Author Lecture and Book Signing with Jack Carr
October 26th, 2pm @ Park City Library, Jim Santy Auditorium
Dive into the riveting world of Jack Carr, where fiction and reality collide in a pulse-pounding fusion of action-packed thrillers and insightful non-fiction. Listen to the author speak, stay for questions and answers, and get your book signed by Jack Carr.
More about the author:
From a young age, Jack Carr had two dreams: serving his country in uniform as a Navy SEAL and becoming an author. Following twenty years in the SEAL Teams, Jack shifted his sights to publishing and fulfilled his literary objective with the release of his debut novel, The Terminal List. Since then, he has captivated readers worldwide with the gripping tales of James Reece in his New York Times bestselling novels True Believer, Savage Son, The Devil’s Hand, In the Blood, and Only the Dead. Terminal List was adapted into a thrilling #1 Amazon Prime Video series starring Chris Pratt and has been greenlit for a second season based on Jack’s second novel True Believer.
40 Diverse Books in 50 Minutes
October 27th, 1pm @ Park City Library, Rm 301
Listen to delightful, fast-paced book talks from a panel of experienced children’s librarians as they share the latest in publishing diverse books for children. You will get plenty of reading ideas for your PreK to 8th grade readers to help them learn the joy of diverse stories.
Caregivers are encouraged to come to this event while their children attend the Dinosaur Stomp Party.
Dinosaur Stomp Party (pre-party for Julia Lyon)
October 27th, 1pm @ Park City Library, Jim Santy Auditorium
Kids are invited to roar, stomp, and dance with movement activities at this dinosaur stomp party that will get everyone’s wiggles out before joining author Julia Lyon, author of A Dinosaur Named Ruth.
Julia Lyon Author Visit and Book Signing
October 27th, 2pm @ Park City Library, Jim Santy Auditorium
Enjoy listening to award-winning journalist and children’s author Julia Lyon read her bookA Dinosaur Named Ruth. She will tell the true story of Ruth Mason, a pioneer girl in South Dakota, who found dinosaur bones in her own backyard. Families can ask questions, do a craft, and stay for a book signing.