Celebrating the Library of Congress National Book Festival Author Talk: Brit Bennett

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On Monday, August 30 at 8 PM ET | 5 PM PT: PBS Books presents this Author Talk with Brit Bennett about her book The Vanishing Half.

In collaboration with DPTV, PBS Books is honored to host this virtual engagement event with author Brit Bennett on August/September as part of our dynamic, sequel partnership with The Library of Congress for the 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival “Open a Book, Open the World.”

After a successful partnership with The Library of Congress last year, this second series of virtual author talks with legendary authors of our time will center on this year’s theme: “Open a Book, Open the World.” The 2021 LOC Festival will be a 10-day event, held from September 17-26, 2021. Programming includes a 60-minute PBS Books special, exploring the many worlds authors create, investigate, and share. Hosted by LeVar Burton, the special will premiere on Sunday, September 12, from 6-7pm ET (Check your local listing). Additional PBS feed dates are Saturday, September 18 at 7pm ET, and Sunday, September 19 at 1:30pm ET (more details to follow). Expect diverse discussions from incredible guests like Angie Thomas, Tana French, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and Michael J. Fox.

Throughout the months of August and September, PBS Books is hosting ten events to celebrate several authors who are part of this thrilling special. These intimate, moderated Q&As will be moments to learn about the care and curiosity that generates great writing. The events will provide insights into the upcoming festival and will be targeted to particular national regions. As always, this PBS Books content will be accessible to all audiences.

About the Author

Born and raised in Southern California, Brit Bennett graduated from Stanford University and later earned her MFA in fiction at the University of Michigan. Her debut novel The Mothers was a New York Times bestseller, and her second novel The Vanishing Half was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. She is a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree and in 2021, she was chosen as one of Time’s Next 100 Influential People. Her essays have been featured in The New Yorker, the New York Times Magazine, The Paris Review, and Jezebel.

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