The fifth annual Nantucket Book Festival is upon us and “jam-packed” is the best word we could think of to describe this incredible weekend. While we at N Magazine are excited for the entire schedule of events, we thought we’d narrow down some highlights to help those of you who just can’t decide which exciting and thought-provoking author talks and interviews to hit.
Nantucket Natural: A Feast for the Senses with Diane Ackerman
Friday, June 17 || 12 PM || Nantucket Yacht Club
Poet, essayist and naturalist Diane Ackerman will speak to the audience about her wide range of works crafted through the years with a passionate and deliberate consideration of our natural environment and an understanding of the senses that define us. Interviewed by WGBH’s Emmy Award-winning Arts Editor Jared Bowen, this event takes advantage of the beautiful harbor views and exquisite cuisine of the Nantucket Yacht Club. Tickets are still available here.
Celebrate Nantucket Authors
Friday, June 17 || 10 AM – 5 PM || Atheneum Garden
Saturday, June 18 || 9 AM – 3:30 PM || Atheneum Garden
On Friday, eight authors with ties to New England will share their stories under the Atheneum Garden Tent. Whether it’s a murder mystery, the true story of a German U-Boat attack on Cape Cod, or the latest tale about magical summers on Nantucket, the tent is the perfect place to spend the day! For more information click here.
Reading and Writing in Times of Crisis: A Conversation with Billy Collins and Mark Doty
Friday, June 17 || 7 PM || Unitarian Universalist Meeting House
Emerging Authors: Stephanie Clifford, Smith Henderson, & T. Geronimo Johnson with Dick Burns
Saturday, June 18 || 2:30 PM || Atheneum Great Hall
The emerging authors panel has always been a highlight of the Nantucket Book Festival, and they have quite the track record of choosing authors who go on to major acclaim! This year’s group — Stephanie Clifford, author of Everybody Rise; Smith Henderson, author of Fourth of July Creek; and T. Geronimo Johnson, author of Welcome to Braggsville — will discuss their newest novels, their writing process and their writing careers so far, with Dick Burns, founding member of the Nantucket Book Festival.
Book to Film: Words Take Flight with Diane Ackerman, Marlon James, and Nathaniel Philbrick
Sunday, June 19 || 6 PM || NHA Whaling Museum
Whether for the silver screen or small screen, all movies begin with the written word. How those words come to life is movie magic that these award-winning authors have witnessed firsthand. Join New York Times bestselling author Diane Ackerman, Man Booker Prize winner Marlon James, and National Book Award winner Nathaniel Philbrick in a discussion about the process of transforming books to film. N Magazine‘s very own editor, Robert Cocuzzo, will moderate what promises to be a lively discussion. Co-sponsored by the NHA, this closing night event will be followed by wine and hors d’oeuvres in the beautiful Whaling Museum. The perfect way to end the Book Festival! Tickets are available here.
