The ever popular National Book Festival, sponsored by the Library of Congress and now in its eleventh year, has plans to expand to two days this year. On Saturday and Sunday, September 24-25, the festival will be on the National Mall with author talks, book signings, kids activities, and – given that this year's theme is "celebrating the joys of reading aloud" – lots and lots of readings. more ›

It's two days from now, September 26. Do you know where John Irving is? more ›

A little rain didn't keep enthusiastic readers from coming out to the 8th annual National Book Festival over the weekend. Our photographer captured a few portraits of some of the festival's biggest names. Did you go? more ›

The National Book Festival, which has become a flagship event for area bibliophiles, just announced its 2008 author line-up. more ›

FRIDAY: >> Howard University alum Eric Roberson performs tonight at the Black Cat along with Emily King. Doors open at 9 p.m. $17. >> It's pretty much the end of times: Vanilla Ice will be at Foggy Bottom bar McFadden's tonight, "drinking, partying, and hosting the night" starting at 10 p.m. $5 Jager bombs and $2 Bud and Bud Light bottles are little enticement to make this event anything more than laughable, but maybe if... more ›

>> There are so many festivals going on this weekend, we don't feel bad mentioning them a few times to make sure you get your butt off the couch to check out as many of them as you can. We'll have more on always anticipated Crafty Bastards later today, which is Sunday in Adams Morgan. The National Book Festival, where this writer is going to nerd it up, is Saturday on the Mall. Practice your... more ›

"Books," wrote the poet Philip Larkin, "are a load of crap." No doubt Larkin, one of the most gifted lyric poets of the 20th century and a career librarian at the University of Hull, was being ironic. But irony or no, the participants and sponsors of this Saturday's National Book Festival vehemently disagree. Held every year for the last six years on the National Mall -- rain or shine -- the festival brings together marquee-name... more ›

What a beautiful weekend, eh? Except for a bit of rain on Saturday, the weather was, if I may say so myself without sounding like my grandmother, delightful. We hope you got out during it, as the city played host to a number of activities - the National Book Festival, Crafty Bastards, and a bit outside of town, the continuation of the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Which I went to, mainly to gawk at the... more ›

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Fall is the season of festivals, so I hope you've stretched properly over the last few weeks, because this weekend is chock full of 'em. more ›

Attendees at this year's National Book Festival certainly heard the protests as the crowd marched by a mere two blocks away and helicopters circled overhead. They certainly saw the protestors, a number of who broke away from the anti-war events to hear from many of the country's notable authors. But the festival still seemed worlds apart from the other big event less than a mile away. more ›

What a weekend to be in Washington. No doubt we'll be seeing a whole lot of you around the Mall for one event or another this weekend. DCist would like to take this opportunity to recommend sunscreen with a high SPF. We just can't have all our readers looking like lobsters come Monday morning. Not a sexy look. FRIDAY: >> The D.C. music scene says farewell to Q and Not U tonight at Black Cat.... more ›

August's last weekend has come and gone. We hope you spent it well. We know we did, and we didn't even get to everything we had planned. The photo was snapped by Melissa during Saturday's rain showers. Nothing compared to Category 5 Katrina bearing down on New Orleans as we type. Capital Weather is keeping everyone updated. If you have friends or family in Katrina's path, please encourage them to stay safe and evacuate. This... more ›

-obsessed young ones? Ready your little girls. more ›

Though the weekend is going to be absolutely-freaking-gorgeous, DCist can't help but feel a twinge of bitterness. First, we've got to run 22 miles tomorrow for our seemingly never-ending Marine Corps Marathon training. And then we don't even get Monday off! The gods are against us. Anyway, no reason everyone else shouldn't have some fun! Grumble ... FRIDAY: Beastie Boys bring their show to the Patriot Center. Need a ticket? Check craigslist. Lots of last-minute... more ›

Looking to meet some of your favorite authors, NBA stars, or characters from your favorite PBS kid's shows this weekend? The Library of Congress and first lady (and former librarian) Laura Bush bring the 2004 National Book Festival to the Mall on Saturday. Now in its fourth year, the festival features more than 70 writers from across the literary spectrum. Notables appearing include R.L. Stine, E.L. Konigsburg, Joyce Carol Oates, Clive Cussler, Azar Nafisi, Anna Quindlen, Neal Gaiman, and Ted Kooser. more ›