By Debbie Hall
The Las Vegas Book Festival (LVBF) returns to the Historic Fifth Street School (401 S. 4th St.) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 — a vibrant convergence of bestselling authors, political voices, and local creatives, offering a diverse range of literary experiences at Nevada’s largest literary celebration.
For more than two decades, this free, family-friendly festival has been a hub for reading, writing, and storytelling—a rich learning ground where conversations on culture, identity, and creativity come alive.
Headliners to Watch
Taylor Jenkins Reid, the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Carrie Soto Is Back, headlines the festival with a keynote moderated by JJ Snyder.
The festival also dives into timely political and cultural topics. Authors Katherine Stewart (Money, Lies, and God) and Tim Alberta join local analyst Steve Sebelius for “Is Separation of Church and State Over?”
Nevada political icons Richard Bryan and Bob Miller, along with historian Geoff Schumacher, present Destined to Lead, a unique opportunity to reflect on state leadership and legacy in the company of these esteemed figures.
Romance readers, take note—the Meant To Be authors Christina Lauren, Zoraida Córdova, Jasmine Guillory, Julie Murphy, and virtual guest Jesse Q. Sutanto unite for their first joint panel.
This roundtable discussion will cover their inspirations, writing process, and the future of the romance genre, making it a must-see for any fan.
Must-See Moments
| Time | Panel / Event | Why Go |
| 10:30 a.m. | Destined to Lead: Nevada Political Icons | Local legends discuss leadership and legacy |
| 12:15 p.m. | Meant To Be Authors Roundtable | Rom-com power panel (plus a virtual guest!) |
| 2:00 p.m. | Is the Separation of Church and State Over? | Faith, politics, and modern democracy |
| 3:30 p.m. | Taylor Jenkins Reid in Conversation | A rare live Q&A with the bestselling author |
Other festival highlights include the Spark! Youth Poetry Competition (1–3 p.m.), open-mic sessions in the Poetry Pavilion, and a lively book bazaar with local authors and vendors.
Festival Tips
- Arrive early for auditorium seating — sessions fill fast.
- Plan ahead: several panels run simultaneously.
- Parking: Third St./Lewis Ave. garage ($5) or Main St./Clark garage ($3).
- Free Downtown Loop bus connects both garages to the festival.
- Bring a tote for books, merch, and swag — you’ll need it!
Whether you’re chasing a literary idol, diving into political debate, or discovering your next favorite author, the 2025 Las Vegas Book Festival is where words come to life.
📚 Details & full schedule: lasvegasbookfestival.com