Books events coming up in South Florida: So many authors, so many genres

The new year has ushered in new book events featuring myriad authors of different genres.

I’ve been invited to participate in one of them, the Palm Beach Library System’s Writers LIVE! program, which is returning for its 17th year with a series of in-person panels and discussions. I will be moderating talks with Jason Rekulak, Gregg Hurwitz, Alafair Burke and Carter Wilson.

The program takes place at several library branches and is free, but registration is required as seating fills up quickly. Visit pbclibrary.org/writers-live.

Authors scheduled include:

  • Joseph Finder, “The Oligarch’s Daughter” — 3 p.m. Feb. 7, Hagen Ranch Road Branch
  • Jason Rekulak, “The Last One at the Wedding” —  2 p.m. Feb. 15, Wellington Branch
  • Gregg Hurwitz, “Nemesis” —  6 p.m. Feb. 25, Hagen Ranch Road Branch
  • Alafair Burke, “The Note” —  6 p.m. Feb. 26, Canyon Branch
  • Elinor Lipman, “Every Tom, Dick & Harry” — 6 p.m. Feb. 27, Lantana Road Branch
  • Dawn Clifton Tripp, “Jackie” — 4 p.m. March 3, West Boynton Branch
  • Carter Wilson, “Tell Me What You Did” — 3:30 p.m. March 7, Gardens Branch
  • Robert Watson, “When Washington Burned” — 3 p.m. March 12, Canyon Branch
  • Mallory O’Meara, “Daughter of Daring” — 2 p.m. March 18, virtual
  • Debbie Babitt, “The Man on the Train” — 2 p.m. March 21, Jupiter Branch
  • David Ellis, “The Best Lies” — 5:30 p.m. April 16, Lantana Road Branch
  • Alka Joshi, “Six Days in Bombay” — 3 p.m. April 21, Hagen Ranch Road Branch
  • Susan Shapiro Barash, “Estranged: How Strained Female Friendships Can Be Mended or Ended” — 1:30 p.m. April 23, West Boynton Branch

LitLUNCH! leads to Literary Feast

Award-winning journalist and author Susan Page will be the guest speaker at the 15th annual LitLUNCH!, sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation. LitLUNCH! begins at 11 a.m. Feb. 21 at Pier Sixty-Six, Aviva Ballroom, 2301 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale. Individual tickets are $150. Visit bplfoundation.org/litlunch or call 954-357-7382.

Page is the Washington Bureau chief of USA Today, covering the White House and national politics, and has written several biographies of women, including her latest, “The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters.”

Author Susan Page will be the guest speaker at the 15th annual LitLUNCH! on Feb. 21 in Fort Lauderdale. (Hannah Gaber/Courtesy)
Author Susan Page will be the guest speaker at the 15th annual LitLUNCH! on Feb. 21 in Fort Lauderdale. (Hannah Gaber/Courtesy)

LitLUNCH! is the kick-off event for the library foundation’s Literary Feast weekend in March. Details are still being finalized for the Literary Feast with LitLIVE! panels of attending authors scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 28 at the Horvitz Auditorium at NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale. A Night of Literary Feasts welcome reception will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 29 at Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach, with dinners to follow.

Proceeds support Broward County Library literacy programs and services funded by the foundation. Visit bplfoundation.org for details.

A few best-selling authors will be added to the lineup, but the following authors are confirmed.

  • Fiction: Charles B. Fancher (“Red Clay”), Elinor Lipman (“Every Tom, Dick & Harry”), Madeline Martin (“The Booklover’s Library”), Julia Phillips (“Bear”)
  • Mystery: Jeffery Deaver (“Fatal Intrusion”), Wanda M. Morris (“What You Leave Behind”), Alex Segura (“Alter Ego”), Lauren Willig (“The Girl from Greenwich Street”)
  • Nonfiction: Corey Mead (“The Hidden History of the White House: Power Struggles, Scandals, and Defining Moments”)
Susan Page has written several biographies of women, including "The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters." (Simon & Schuster/Courtesy)
Susan Page has written several biographies of women, including “The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters.” (Simon & Schuster/Courtesy)

Plantation library author event

The Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library has scheduled two writers for its annual author and book luncheon beginning at 11 a.m. March 15 at the Jacaranda Country Club, 9200 W. Broward Blvd.

Amily D’Nas will discuss her novel, “Beneath the Swaying Willow,” about the effects of the Vietnam War on a young couple. Anita Mitchell will talk about her nonfiction book, “This Gift,” about Paralympian swimmer Abbas Karimi from Afghanistan.

Cost is $55 per person and includes lunch, valet parking and a book. A silent auction and gift basket raffle also will be available. All proceeds benefit the Plantation-owned library. Contact Jennifer Orkin at 954-399-3120 or jennorkin@gmail.com for reservations.

Boca Raton’s 19th annual festival

Festival of the Arts Boca, scheduled for Feb. 28 to March 9, also features authors. Events will be in the Mizner Park Amphitheater, located at Plaza Real in Boca Raton. Visit festivalboca.org for details.

Highlights from the festival’s 19th season include:

  • “An Evening with Doris Kearns Goodwin” — The world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker and Pulitzer Prize-winning author makes her annual visit to the festival at 7 p.m. March 3. Her latest book is “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s” (April 2024).
  • “Florida Man: Carl Hiaasen” — Hiaasen is a true satirist who writes mysteries about the Sunshine State like no one else. His mystery fiction is more like documentaries. Hiaasen’s next novel, “Fever Beach,” is scheduled to come out in May. No doubt he’ll talk about his new novel and his other works at 7 p.m. March 5.

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