One thing’s for sure, you won’t walk away from the Wisconsin Book Festival’s 25th annual Fall Celebration Oct. 15-18 without something new to read.
The festival’s annual event, put on at the Madison Public Library and its foundation at the Central Branch and a few other locations, offers something for every kind of reader. Whether you want the hottest new literary fiction, the most thought-provoking nonfiction, some new bedtime stories to read to the kids, or even some tips for your own writing project, they’ve got you covered. And it’s all free.
On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin is joined by festival Director Jane Rotonda and Madison writer Jeff Oloizia, host of the “Writing Forward” podcast that just launched its second season. They talk about highlights of this year’s festival, Wisconsin’s literary tradition, and the books that every Madisonian should read.
Here’s a few recommendations for every kind of book lover to enjoy at the fest. As a note, the Madison Public Library is a sponsor of City Cast Madison (you’ve probably seen their ads in this newsletter!). But this article is produced with 100% editorial independence.
For the Political Junkie
Sweating about the upcoming midterms? Former Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler has the prescription for progressive angst in his new book “This Is The Plan: How To End America’s Meltdown and Save Democracy.” Wikler offers a hopeful and specific list of action items for individuals and small groups to get the country back on track. Can’t wait? Wikler was on the City Cast Madison podcast last year to talk about the future of Wisconsin’s Democratic party. (6 p.m. Oct. 17, Madison Central Library)
For the Rocker
It’s hard to believe that the Strokes’ debut album “Is This It” was released a quarter-century ago, ushering in a new era of guitar rock in the ‘00s that included bands like The Killers and Franz Ferdinand. In his new book “Is This It: The Never Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n Roll),” rock critic Steven Hyden chronicles the band, and how their career shows the ever-changing impact of rock music on popular culture. (6 p.m. Oct. 16, Madison Central Library)
For Science Lovers
The book festival always coincides with the Wisconsin Science Festival, and sponsors several collabs of science-related books. Check out Siri Carpenter’s anthology “The Best Science Stories and How They Work,” which looks at 11 stories by science journalists, with Carpenter’s commentaries on what makes them compelling. (4:30 p.m. Oct. 16, Discovery Building)
For the Literary Western Lover
Téa Obreht’s 2019 novel “Inland” was a thrilling and ambitious novel that challenged the stereotypes of the Old West. She rides a similar trail in “Sunrise,” which follows three different characters in three different timelines a century apart who arrive at the same Wyoming town. (6 p.m. Oct. 17, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art)
For the New Yorker Subscriber
Fans of the literary magazine The New Yorker have enjoyed the squiggly, funny cartoons of Roz Chast for years. Chast comes to Madison with her new book, “The Two Saddest Kitchens,” co-written with Jason Adam Katzenstein, which explores the darker, funnier corners of both their food prep spaces. (7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, Madison Central Library)
For Animal Lovers
In addition to being the unmistakable voice of National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition, Scott Simon is also an animal lover. In his illustrated memoir, “Ulysses S. Cat,” Simon celebrates the animals that changed him over his lifetime, from the family dog growing up to a delinquent hamster named Bagel. (12 p.m. Oct. 18, Madison Central Library)
