Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Erin Hill
(408) 821-2967, erin@bookgroupexpo.com
PDF version of this press release

BOOK GROUP EXPO Opens with Ann Packer, Julia Glass, Terry McMillan, Andre Dubus III and Dozens More!

Over 75 Authors confirmed!

On Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26, 2008, the San Jose McEnery Convention Center will host the third annual book group expo - a two-day book-lover's extravaganza that is part literary salon, part marketplace, and part marvelous party. Over 75 authors are confirmed!

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) October 14, 2008 -- On Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26, 2008, the San Jose McEnery Convention Center will host the third annual book group expo - a two-day book-lover's extravaganza that is part literary salon, part marketplace, and part marvelous party. This extraordinary event is designed for avid readers to meet both established and up-and-coming authors, discover old and new literary treasures, have books signed and connect with others who are passionate about books…as well as art, education, music, travel, wine, chocolate, culinary delights, and social events.

National Book Award winner and book group favorite Julia Glass ('Three Junes'), Terry McMillan ('Waiting to Exhale', 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back'), Ann Packer ('Songs Without Words') and Andre Dubus III ('The House of Sand and Fog') are a just a few of the over 75 authors already confirmed. The stellar lineup also includes Marisa de Los Santos ('And Love Walked In') returning with her new novel ('Belong to Me'), Brian Copeland, Josh Henkin and Gail Tsukiyama. Others include: Rabih Alameddine, Annie Barrows, Brunonia Barry, Jennifer Lee Carrell, David Corbet, Will Dirst, Selden Edwards, Christina Meldrum, Michelle Richmond, Garth Stein and Elizabeth Strout.

Previous book group expo events brought celebrated authors Amy Tan ('The Joy Luck Club', 'Saving Fish from Drowning'), Khaled Hosseini ('The Kite Runner', 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'), Sara Gruen ('Water for Elephants'), Elizabeth Gilbert ('eat, pray, love') and more than one hundred other authors together with fans, book group members, and one another.

book group expo is a unique opportunity for thousands of serious readers and book group members to experience a unique interactive event built around reading and discussing literature. In addition to the Literary Salons and author book signings, there is a marketplace as well. The festival marketplace - a returning favorite - will once again feature wine tasting, chocolate, gourmet treats, art, jewelry, specialty juices, book accouterments --- and more chocolate and wine tasting. Featured vendors offer everything from local art and gourmet food to specialty jewelry and fine wine.

"Because passionate readers are also passionate about life, we've made book group expo a multi-layered, multi-sensory experience," says founder, Ann Kent. "It's about creating an entire experience for people to really interact and enrich their minds, hearts and palettes by bringing the wonderful things that happen in the privacy of our book clubs and reading groups out into a more public space. This really is serious readers having serious fun!"

This past May, book group expo was awarded the PageTurner Award by James Patterson for their good work in connecting the community of book clubs and reading groups around the country. Patterson said, "This year's winners are doing great work and at a time when getting people excited about reading and books is especially important. I'm thrilled to help them do what they do so well."

For more information, visit www.bookgroupexpo.com. Tickets are available on-line, or by calling All Ears Audiobooks at 408-370-7003. Tickets are $65 for a full access two-day pass and $42 for one day. Advance purchase is encouraged. Tickets are also available in the Bay area at Books Inc, Kepler's, Capitola Book Café, Book Shop Santa Cruz and Book Smart in Morgan Hill.

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About book group expo:

book group expo - the literary extravaganza that's part salon, part marketplace and part marvelous party - was conceived in 2006 by Ann Kent as a result of her passion for books, and her book group. She launched book group expo with the intention of bringing readers and writers together in an exciting yet intimate way. book group expo brings readers and writers together in the modern day equivalent of the century-old literary salon. And since our book clubs and reading groups are about so much more than just books, so is book group expo. Ann's small professional staff and committed group of volunteers are equally dedicated to making a mark in the literary map and creating an event that truly delivers "serious readers having serious fun." To learn more, log onto www.bookgroupexpo.com.