Austin Cool

The glow of Austin and the Texas Book Festival lingers. I'm still gleefully hugging my free books and perusing literary journals. However, beyond words, Austin prides itself on music. In the spring, they host SXSW - a huge conglomeration of concerts and music lover sessions.

Austin's pride is the late Stevie Ray Vaughn. Here his statue hangs riverside. I personally think the sculpture is standing too straight. Stevie was always bent over a guitar, wailing the blues.

6th Street - clubs vie for patrons ears, and a lot of musicians pound the pavement in Austin seeking a break. It's a cool vibe in a hot town. The arts survive and thrive in the middle of Texas.

Tween Austin

Texas night sky - can't be beat. This was in route from Austin to Bedford. I'm not religious, but this does make you drop to your knees.

On the grounds of the Texas State Capitol - Texas Pioneer Woman. She holds a baby in her arms and gazes defiantly. I, personally, would have hopped the first train back east once I heard the crazy wind howl on the prairie. I work in Justin, Texas and at times want to scream from the screeching wind. Buffeting is a severe verb.

The Texas Book Festival hosted some tango dancers. Rather improv. They needed better costumes to add to the ambiance and flavor. Somehow sloppy jeans and an untucked shirt didn't usher Spanish hot flavor.

Nifty courtyard and fresh air. So, there were tents for adults (free literary journals and books), plus very nice children story telling booths. But what about that forgotten sea of teens? I saw a few young girls - no doubt advanced readers who could attend adult sessions and enjoy the humor. But what about the Lost Boys? That is an issue in the world of publication. Harry Potter captured a lot of readers. Now what??

I do hope that someone can capture that tween market. Girls are easier - romance is a freebie. Boys are still on the fence - action/adventure, fantasy, science fiction - what do young men want to read???? If anyone has answers, let's inform the Texas Book Festival for 2011.

Session Choices: Great Tomes

Clear blue skies gleamed as book lovers of all ages descended upon Austin for the 15th annual Texas Book Festival. Saturday, October 16th and Sunday, October 17th welcomed over 40,000 people to hear over one hundred authors. (Plus 80,000 books were sold) Too many choices, not enough time, and the added bonus of music, book sellers, and other publishing exhibitors.

The stately Capitol building still shrouded in scaffolding loomed large over the proceedings. Various sessions were held in chambers, including the labryinth basement extension rooms. P.J. O'Rourke (latest book Don't Vote: It Only Encourages the Bastards) gave a no shouting rousing speech on free markets, baby boomer responsibility, and political insights, all with his usual sharp witty observations. We were off and running. Writers on Reading featured J.Courtney Sullivan (Commencement) and Dr. Abraham Verghese (Cutting for Stone). Their insight on the process and joys of writing was invigorating. Plus Anchor/Vintage publishing handed out bookbags filled with FREE books. Thank you!

Julie Klausner (I Don't Care About Your Band) kicked off our Sunday morning regaling the crowd with dating stories. Her pop culture references, feminist views, and sheer raucous humor with her infectious laugh had me in stitches. The Not All That Noir session with Lou Berney, Mark Haskell-Smith, and Jonathan Woods showed crime and humor mix well with these quick-tongued witty authors.

These statues salute schoolchildren and the book festival introduced young fans to the love of books. Kids wearing Cat in the Hat hats sat entranced at readings. Others begged their parents for books - money well spent. I was pleased to see parents pushing strollers or following their eager youngsters into the next booth.

On the road home - painted canvas. A session, 110 Degrees in the Shade, demonstrated that for Southwest writers it's all about the sky. Each author - Martha Egan, Carrie Fountain, Tom Miller, and Bryan Woolley - mentioned the love of the land and its role in their stories.

The Texas Book Festival provided education, culture, and inspiration. The written word is alive.

Austin Adventure

My book bag is packed. I have my schedule ready ... well actually it's overbooked. There are far too many authors, in too many locations, at overlapping times, appearing at the Texas Book Festival , and I want to see them all. This will be my first time in Austin for this event, and I'm excited to be amongst my people - word nerds unite.

Next year at this time, Chilean miners will have books published and shall probably be keynote speakers. In the meantime, I'm tempted by P.J. O'Rourke (the man is funny), a humor writer for The Onion should heighten snarkiness, a panel entitled 110 in the Shade caught my eye - writing in the Southwest, plus the gentleman who created Dexter (my new fave NetFlix rentals) provides insight on character creation. Also, Laura Bush, Meg Cabot, and Justin Cronin (The Passage), to name three out of over one hundred authors, are featured.

Austin shall buzz and the crowds should demonstrate that the written word is not dead, there are multitudes of readers, and literary hope prevails.